Some people are most productive when they can come into a physical office, sit down at their own desk, boot up their computer and get to work. However, others can – and do – work just as effectively from home. In fact, a recent survey administered by ConnectSolutions found that 77 percent of employers who allow their employees to work remotely see an increase in productivity from the people who are working from home. For startups, though, having employees telecommute isn't necessarily a perk – it's sometimes a necessity for companies that don't want to invest in office space yet. Either way, it's important for employers to take steps to ensure their remote employees stay productive and accountable for themselves. Here are four ways to make sure your workers are doing their jobs effectively while telecommuting:
1. Have an Online 'Office'
Even if you don't have a physical office space, enabling employees to log onto an online "office" can increase their productivity right away. Sites like Google Plus and HipChat make it easy for employees to log on from home and immediately feel like they're part of a productive team, since both allow users to send instant messages and share ideas.
2. Check in Regularly
When companies allow employees to telecommute part time, there's still some accountability on days when they return to the office to work. However, for businesses that have freelancers, contracted workers or employees who work remotely 100 percent of the time, that same accountability isn't there. As a boss, remember that it's still your job to make your employees feel like they're part of the team and they have to meet their goals, even though you aren't in the same room. Many employers recommend short one-on-one meetings on at least a weekly basis, if not more frequently. Having these regular check-ins will not only help with accountability, it will also allow you the chance to show your appreciation for their work or bring up any concerns.
3. Set Expectations
Another way to ensure accountability from remote workers is to approach their jobs from a results perspective. Telecommuting is more about trusting employees to perform well than it is about micromanaging their daily schedules. So, set clear results-based expectations and deadlines that they need to meet. You can use communal task managers that everyone is able to access or share a calendar that contains each employee's important deadlines. That way, you have a clear measure of productivity, even if you can't see employees sitting at their desks getting work done.
4. Get Together
If you have workers who are always remote, make time for in-person meetings every two to three months (or more often if they live in the area). If your startup only employs telecommuters, have all of the remote workers gather together for a company-wide meeting. This is a great way to hold collaborative brainstorming sessions, help employees get to know one another and improve company culture as a whole. And when employees like the company they're working for and know the people they're working with, they'll be more likely to be productive on a daily basis.
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