remote office | Telecommute Job Online

Telecommuters can work from anywhere and increasingly, they are leaving behind the confines or working at home to enjoy the flexibility that comes from being able to virtually work from any location with an Internet connection.

The next generation of workspace is based on total mobility. To be able to work in your vehicle at other remote locations, and while in transit between here and there. Our society and communities are tackling the issues associated with connectivity and communications. We know where our weak spots are in rural areas, and we are finding ways to bridge the technological gap.

We are adapting to cloud computing, secure online storage, and a variety of platforms that can do the heavy lifting of keeping us connected and secure from any location on our green Earth.

Better Use of Existing Technology

It is not enough to have a basic working knowledge of the new soft technologies that are supporting our higher connection and efficacy. It is important to have extensive knowledge of each tool, to understand its intricacies and all that it is capable of.

An organization could fall into the trap of having so many different tools to utilize for performing particular functions because answering the call of the quick fix,

“We need this, what program can help us do it now?”

When you should be asking the question,

“Is there any program or service that we are currently using that can help us do this?”

Too many tools will cost your organization productivity, which is an unnecessary cost to pay in the digital age.

Brainstorming Online

A problem that still exists for telecommuters who work from anywhere is live online masterminding or brainstorming sessions when separated by geography and time zones. The further the distance, the more inconvenient it might be to participate in live sessions.

By providing an organization and/or department-focused chat-client can help to preserve those precious moments which are the highly creative expression of a hallway drive-by or instantaneous chat at the water cooler, without losing time or having to call a special meeting to get a quick answer or idea.

Not as Good as Live

Even so, there exists a growing concern over live, organic employee interaction is declining, even with the best technological advancements, due to lack of telecommuters’ willingness to participate at the same level.

In a live office situation, employees are much more likely to reach out to others in passing, this spontaneous interaction is what appears to be lacking in the current wave of connectivity among coworkers, and it is not because we don’t have the technology. It appears that workers who are more likely to be supportive, proactive, and willing to express their concerns to other coworkers or ask for help are hesitant and even resistant to reaching out via the Internet.

Social engineers are aware of this social anomaly and they are looking for ways to bridge the gap between the Internet and face-to-face interactivity.

This seems to be the weakest link in the communication chain at this time in the work from home revolution.

The biggest telecommuting obstacle to achieving the highest efficacy in the telework environment is poor work from home conditions including lack of dedicated workspace. Let’s face it, no matter how much you want to work from home and enjoy the benefits of remote work if you do not have an adequate workspace, your performance will suffer.

With the growing concern or threat of telecommuting not being a temporary solution to a viral emergent crisis, it is looking more like telecommuting will be the future of how work is accomplished in the world as we know it, following the pandemic and beyond.

Homeworkers are not equipped for success when it comes to working from home, and 77 percent of them report the weakest link in their ability to maintain a high level of productivity is directly related to not having an appropriate workspace set aside in the home.

Poor Working Conditions at Home

The majority of our telecommuters (77%) are reporting that not having adequate workspace to conduct their duties effectively is impeding their ability to productively keep up with their coworkers.

According to statistics, right now, 42% are working at their kitchen or dining table and 3% can be found working in the bathroom.

The detailed list of complications arising from not having adequate workspace is vast and widely varied, but most all the concerns and complaints about working from home would be quickly resolved if these individuals had an effective office area set up.

So, what is the solution? How do the employees, employers, or anyone else solve the problem of living in a home that does not provide the tools necessary for these remote workers to thrive while not being able to maintain high levels of production?

Many homes are moderate and may have limited space available to work. Even so, there are many teleworkers who have successfully carved out an effective work area, even in small apartments. It may take some time and ingenuity, but this has been accomplished by those who are successfully working from home.

Working from Home with Family

Those hit hardest are those who are working from home, and are trying to manage a family, while working remotely, and have space limitations. In fact, families who have telecommuters in the house are at the greatest risk, which is understandable.

Inadequate Equipment or Services

The next hurdle to overcome is the lack of equipment or services. Of course, employers will not want their employees’ performance to decline due to a lack of technology. It is up to the employee to reach out to the employer to see if there may be subsidies available to help get your home work-area up-to-speed. Do so before your numbers start to reveal that there are problems at home.

The Answer: Coworking Space

Coworking spaces are springing up all across America. They come in all shapes, sizes, and locations. You will find them in office buildings, converted retail spaces, and recently, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can find them conveniently located inside apartment buildings that house telecommuters.

The important elements in any coworking facility is multiple workstations, a blazing Internet connection, and any number of various and sundry business accoutrements.

Regardless, it is imperative that remote workers find ways to establish positive workspaces either at home or get access to a remote workspace, like a coworking office space. And if you are telecommuting and struggling with your remote working conditions, check with your employer, they may offer to subsidize your coworking rent, or some employers are setting up rural remote offices, where clusters of their employees may reside.