As millions of office workers have switched to operating from home, business leaders are announcing that remote work forever is a given even after the pandemic is over.
Some companies, such as Google, have announced that workers who do not need to be in offices can extend their telecommuting agreement until the end of the year. Like Twitter and Facebook, others have pledged to allow their employees to work remotely forever if they choose.
Of course, making this kind of transition, whether working out of the office full-time or part-time, can have a huge impact on both your career and personal life. If your company has said you can work from home until the end of the year or even forever, there are several factors to consider before agreeing to the permanent change.
Things To Keep In Mind To Accept A Remote Job Forever
How Do You Work Better?
If, during the lockdown, you have adapted well to your new remote work routine or have been dreaming of greater flexibility in your office for some time, you probably have no doubts about accepting a remote job offer forever. After all, these policies to allow more flexibility are good news for the 80% of workers who want to work at least part of the time remotely.
On the other hand, if you have doubts about staying at home or returning to the office, you should analyse what type of work environment you feel most comfortable in the long term. Of course, do not base your decision on current experience since this scenario is extreme due to the coronavirus and will change over time.
These are individual choices. Some people thrive in a quiet, private, semi-secluded environment. Others crave physical interactions constantly. Therefore, you must find out the type of person you are.
While it’s important to think about productivity, don’t discount your personal preferences, especially considering that your workplace will be one more source of social connection. We tend to overestimate how happy we will be alone and underestimate the joy of social interactions, including unplanned ones.
Analyse How The Rest Of The Household’s Inhabitants Will Affect Your Work
If you live in a household where someone else must also telecommute, do you have the time, space, and flexibility to adjust together?
On the other hand, what do you think will happen if you continue to work from home while your partner returns to the office? Will it change the dynamic of who takes care of the home? What about childcare responsibilities? It would be best to get an idea of how things might develop over time and discuss it with the rest of the family and everyone affected.
Agree With Your Boss How To Achieve Your Goals With A Remote Job Forever
Now that remote work is likely to be extended over time. It’s a good time to talk to your boss about what’s working, what could be improved, and how certain aspects could change to make remote work permanent.
Talk to your boss about what the expectations will be moving forward. Please discuss what it means to be successful in the company or with your superiors. Also, don’t miss out on setting goals, communicating progress, and measuring results as you adjust to the new way of working.
Another point to discuss with your boss is whether any processes need to be reworked so you can do it in a team that is a mix of remote and in-office workers. This way, your manager will better understand how your contribution to the dynamic will fit based on what your colleagues plan to do.
Suppose you plan to work primarily from home. In that case, it’s a good idea to set expectations around when you need to be present for certain events, such as client meetings, team brainstorms, or regularly when handling sensitive documents that need to remain in the office.
You may also want to renegotiate your salary by opting for remote work forever. Some companies, like Facebook, pay workers based on the cost of living where they live. Find out if your company has a similar policy or consider implementing one as reassess the workforce.
What Equipment Do You Need For A Remote Job Forever?
Many people went home in March thinking they would only be out of the office for a few weeks and could get work done with the computers they had at home. But if you opt for remote work forever, what kind of equipment and technical support do you need the company to provide?
Once you are clear about where you will be working in the future, you can focus on the equipment you will need to carry it out. This might mean asking your boss if you will be provided with a suitable computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. If you see yourself setting up a new home office, think about what other items you’ll need to be more productive, like a desk, ergonomic chair, printer, or fax machine.
If you need a better Internet connection for video conferencing, check with your superiors to see if the company will help you pay for a better WiFi package or provide you with a work phone with a mobile hotspot plan. It’s also worth mentioning what kind of cybersecurity tools you should have at home, such as access to a VPN, a secure e-signature program for contracts, a designated phone line, or even a shredder for sensitive documents.
Whatever it is you need, never demand it. Just ask for it subtly to make remote work forever work.
You Don’t Have To Make A Decision Now
Many companies are just beginning to outline what their return-to-work plans will be. Certain organisations may even be waiting for feedback on what employees want before introducing new flexible working policies.
If you’re not sure how you want to work in the coming months, let alone years, that’s fine too. You may not have to choose one way of working over the other.
We are going to witness many hybrid situations. In other words, there will be cases of employees who come to the office a couple of times a week and operate from home the rest of the days. You don’t have to make any final decisions at this time.
On the other hand, you can also give your opinion early and often to show that you are ready to have an open conversation as soon as there is more information.
In any case, any company announcement that references remote work forever is a good time to re-evaluate your current work environment and what you could do to improve it. Experts recommend establishing and sticking to a routine, including breaks, connecting with colleagues and loved ones, and maintaining proper mental and physical health.
