Our workplace has changed a lot in recent years. Where first it was mainly the office, then it became home and now it is hybrid. Companies and employees are searching for the best form. For some, working from home is a godsend, while others like to be in the office with colleagues. A lot of flexibility has developed in our workplace. And if that doesn’t necessarily have to be in the office, it can also be from abroad. Remote working is gaining ground!
Where before you could be snared with a nice lease car, now it’s with a workation or the freedom to work remotely.
Offering an employee flexibility is not only nice for that person, but can also do your company good. In fact, employers who allow remote work are becoming increasingly popular, especially among millennials.
Making a difference in the labor market
The job market is challenging to say the least. There are many vacancies and employees are urgently needed everywhere. The current team has a high workload and more hands are needed. But if you’re short-staffed all at once, where do you get those people? How do you make sure they choose you in this war for talent?
Employer branding is crucial. What distinguishes your organization from another, why should someone really choose you, what do you offer more than your competitor? And I am certainly not just talking about salary. Of course a good income is important, but there are many other conditions of employment. In addition, your workplace and the way you work are also decisive for many people. Being given freedom and having a flexible employer is increasingly important. With that comes the question, what is the policy regarding remote working? More and more organizations are looking into this question and discussing the possibilities with the HR department.
Rewarding and engaging your current staff
Retaining your current employees has never been more important. There are fields where you get daily messages from recruiters via LinkedIn. Just try to keep your staff from responding to them and remaining loyal. That’s not easy, given generous offers from competitors. “If you choose us, you will get €1000 more than you earn now.” The solution lies in ensuring a lot of job happiness. Besides, of course, your job content has to fit you well. But if the content is a good fit, then job happiness will determine whether you leave. Your colleagues, working conditions and working methods are important here. So the way you work is of great influence. All the more reason to delve into the opportunities that remote working offers. The need for freedom, flexibility, working at a “hip” organization is great. If you can choose between a traditional employer that always expects you in the office between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. or a company that sometimes allows you to work from abroad, that choice is quickly made. Slamming the door shut and not responding to your employees’ needs is a bad idea. Have a conversation and listen to the needs and preferences of the market and your employees.
“For you ten others” was always about the employees, but now it has become the employers.
Benefits of remote working
A change of scenery does a person good. Some need this more than others. Just like some like to escape the cold in winter and others can’t wait to go ice skating. Often remote workers choose to enjoy the sunshine. You certainly see so many people leaving for foreign countries now. I myself am a big fan of that. Remote work also puts a smile (and sunshine) on my face. You can recharge, get new stimuli, travel, experience a lot of freedom, in short, an energy boost. Working from a different place for a period of time, usually abroad, can fulfill a need that many people are currently experiencing. In addition, if you are salaried, it solves the problem of not enough vacation days. Many people will find that this leaves them with too little freedom. By taking your laptop to your destination and just continuing to work, you can still take that nice trip, but no one will be bothered by the fact that you are in a different place. You also don’t have to prepare a transfer, are just accessible and don’t come back from your trip with an exploded mailbox.
You should not lose sight of each other
A major challenge of remote working is literally and figuratively the distance. You can’t have a chat at the coffee machine and if something is bothering you, it is more difficult to tell in a video meeting. That’s why I always advise you to limit the time you work remotely. And if you do feel the need to be away for a long period of time, think about the drawbacks and discuss them. If you are going to work from a remote location for a week, 2 weeks or a month, will you really be missed at the office? If you plan your travel well, not when you have important meetings or events, it should be fine to be away for a while. In a short time, you won’t lose connection with your colleagues so easily. The social aspect may be on the back burner for a while, but you will get so much new in return at your temporary destination.
With each other on workation
If you want to end up at the very top of the list of top employers, then offering a workation with your colleagues is what you should do. It is an ideal combination of work and travel, where you all work during the day and then go out and do fun things with each other. It’s the best of both worlds. It creates bonding among your employees, both among themselves and to your organization. And while everyone has a great week in your beautiful villa in Spain, it is also an image boost for your organization. New talent is eager to work for a company where you do such great things together! Want to know more about workations with your company? Check out the possibilities at Working Remotely. Reading tip: The world as your new workplace.
