Internal (Staff)

Homeworking

During the last decade advances in technology has enabled remote working to become not only a reality but, in many situations, the norm. Research has highlighted the effectiveness of home working and the positives that it can bring to both employers and employees.

Nevertheless, like many things, home/remote working can also provide various obstacles. The question is, can we overcome them in order to make home/remote working effective and to become an important tool in our work at the Chamber?

Benefits Challenges

Homeworking offers staff some level of flexibility around how they structure their day

Cuts commute times and associated fatigue

Less office distractions such as noise and interruptions

Increased productivity - some people see an increase in productivity levels in a home environment

Staff have the ability to live anywhere –hiring staff with a good skill set can be looked at from a wider geographical area

Reduction in businesses’ overall footprint

More time with loved ones by reducing the time spent travelling to and from work

Prevent risk of infection spreading as there will be no large groups working together/eating together during lunch etc.

Staff will spend less time travelling which means less money spent on fuel, less transport congestion and less environmental impacts

Studies have shown that employees take shorter holidays and fewer sick days when working from home.

Health benefits – home working will allow staff to have a flexible work environment which ultimately relieves the amount of stress in their lives and gives them a healthier work-life balance

People who work from home have an easier time eating healthily and striking a manageable work-life balance resulting in less stress, a happier employee and a more productive employee too.

Introduces challenges for team cohesion, collaboration and innovation

Additional cyber security considerations

Will there also be distractions at home? Pets, food, children etc.

Whereas others may find their productivity suffers at home

Fewer social opportunities, however as an organisation we can think of innovative ways to continue the social aspect of working from home

Wi-Fi problems – no high-speed home broadband/ networks could collapse/ temporary cuts to service

Digital divide (i.e. the uneven distribution in the access to, use of, or impact of Information and Communication Technologies between any number of distinct groups)

Mental health issues, loneliness and isolation affects team cohesion

Zoom calls can drain your energy and people can become “zoomed out” – how many meetings can we carry out digitally each day?

Communication can be a barrier

Additional costs to help set staff up for homeworking e.g. office equipment.

Theft – laptops/ screens being stolen from homes is an increased risk as well as misplacing confidential information