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Maybe it has to do with your new job or a structural change in your organization. Maybe working remotely is part of a corporate program to achieve work-life balance. Or maybe you’ve been convincing your management for months and got it right. Either way, you’ve won the prize that many working parents dream about. You no longer have to waste time commuting and struggle with distractions in the office. No one else will look at you cross-eyed when you quietly go home to take your child to the pediatrician. Now there’s just you, your cozy home office and the opportunity to spend more time with your kids.
Now let’s talk about the problems.
For many working parents and their bosses, working remotely is a reliable way to restore work-life balance, increase productivity and reduce staff turnover. It is no coincidence that remote work has become an integral part of professional life, it has a number of distinct advantages for both the employee and the company as a whole.
However, it is worth noting the disadvantages – primarily for the employee. How do you stay in front of company management when you are not physically present in the office? Our culture supports an “always at work” approach: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. How do you avoid the impression that you’ve taken the easy way out, or that you’ve chosen your career over raising children? This is often the way older colleagues and those who hold traditional views of work think. How do you establish constructive relationships with people you rarely see? How do you learn to stay focused and focused so you don’t compromise your results?
Experienced parents know that for remote work to benefit their company, career and family, a home office is not enough. It’s important to put in the effort and apply the effective techniques below. You, too, can take advantage of one of them today.
Explain why remote work is good for business. Regardless of the true reason, people who successfully work remotely always negotiate the opportunity by explaining its business benefits. For example, they say, “If I stop wasting time commuting, I get seven extra hours a week that I can devote to communicating with clients.” Or, “My presence in Chicago will allow the company to effectively reach the Midwest markets at no extra cost.” Such arguments sound more appealing and compelling than saying, “I want to spend more time at home. Show that you’re committed to increasing the company’s revenue, and present your telecommuting as a valuable corporate asset. Then even the most skeptical colleagues will begin to support you.
Stick to a strict schedule. After years of office life, remote work can seem remarkably flexible. Sit at your desk at half past ten in the morning without taking off your pajamas! Feeding the baby during a teleconference! But the lack of restrictions common to the traditional workplace can undermine your motivation and productivity. Do you really get better results when you sit down to work closer to lunch in your sweatpants?
Use your remote work environment to provide the flexibility that is important to you (for example, to take the kids to school or go to a soccer game), but the rest of the time, stick to a strictly company schedule and habits. Start work at the same time each day. Dress in a way that makes you feel energetic and confident. Take breaks with the same frequency and duration as those accepted in the office. Adhering to a rigorous schedule will get you on the right “rails” and achieve the maximum sense of control and professionalism.
Demonstrate your commitment. Your colleagues can’t appreciate what they can’t see. While working remotely, remember to send clear signals that your commitment to the company and work ethic are unwavering. Here are some key tips. Send emails first thing in the morning. This is how you let your colleagues know that you’re up and getting to work. Let them know you’re reading their emails carefully: “Thanks, Brad, the data on page six will be helpful in preparing the quarterly report.” Answer the phone early in the morning or late at night to help colleagues who work in other time zones. These simple techniques will make you appear active, dedicated and hardworking (qualities that will be useful at any career level).
