Why You Shouldn’t Force Remote Employees Back to the Office

Google has started to implement policies pushing remote staff back to the office, some of which have consequences for noncompliance. This feels like a step in the wrong direction, especially in regards to flexible workplaces and scheduling. Sure, in-person collaboration is great, but it’s hard to argue with the increasing body of proof showcasing the benefits of remote work, especially for SMBs.

How Remote Work Benefits Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

SMBs need office space too, and those costs are significant, especially if you’re growing quickly.

Remote work gives SMBs more flexibility by decreasing the number of staff who need to be on-site at any given time. This allows businesses to reduce their rent, utility bills, and even operational expenses. Businesses can then reinvest this capital into other parts of the business, including innovation, talent search, and customer experience.

Remote work also expands your talent pool, as depending on your physical location, you might be at a natural disadvantage compared to other businesses. With more talented professionals at your fingertips—many of whom are eager to work remotely—you can make real, lasting, significant change for your business.

In the case of Google, we feel it’s setting a precedent that SMBs might feel pressured to bring employees back to the workplace, potentially inviting disaster (in more ways than one).

If you’re worried about remote workers maintaining productivity and collaboration, we have some tips for you to try before you pull the trigger and bring everyone back to the office:

• Implement powerful communication and collaboration tools, like unified communication solutions, project management portals, and file sharing systems.
• Establish clear expectations and guidelines, including defining roles, responsibilities, and communication protocols for your remote staff.
• Make cybersecurity a priority and implement powerful security measures to keep your sensitive data safe, even in a remote environment.
• Foster a sense of community that promotes social interaction and team building, especially for your remote staff.
• Make sure everyone has technology support, as it’s easier for a remote employee to dismiss issues with hardware, software, and technical assistance if they are out of office.

If you’re worried your business doesn’t have the tools it needs to provide adequate remote support for its employees, Preferred can help. To learn more about how we can support your business and its remote operations, call us today at 708-781-7110.