{"id":55,"date":"2023-12-29T10:48:38","date_gmt":"2023-12-29T10:48:38","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/?p=55"},"modified":"2023-12-29T10:48:38","modified_gmt":"2023-12-29T10:48:38","slug":"remote-work-best-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/remote-work-best-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Remote Work Best Practices in 2024 [+ Helpful Tips]"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Applying remote work best practices can directly influence your efficiency. Embracing them can also help you move your career forward. So what are the best practices for working remotely? Let&#8217;s find out!<\/b><\/p>\n<p>In today&#8217;s dynamic professional environment, remote work has evolved from being an exception to becoming the norm. So it&#8217;s here to stay. And as working remotely continues to reshape the way we approach our professional lives, it&#8217;s crucial to arm ourselves with the best practices in the field.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to excel as a remote employee or manager of a remote team, this article is the right fit for you. We share the best practices for working remotely and helpful tips for increasing productivity.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is Remote Work <b>Exactly<\/b><b>?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive aligncenter wp-image-24407 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.brosix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/what-is-remote-work.jpg\" alt=\"What is Remote Work Exactly?\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Remote work is a work arrangement in which employees execute their job responsibilities away from the company office, either on a full or part-time basis or in a freelancing capacity and often with the help of digital technologie<strong>s.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There are different names for it &#8211; working remotely, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/challenges-of-telecommuting\/\">telecommuting<\/a>, working from home. Sometimes, remote workers are called digital nomads. What\u2019s clear is that thanks to the ubiquity of laptops, tablets, and powerful mobile devices, as well as advances in internet connectivity, today you can work from just about anywhere.<\/p>\n<p>With a stable connection and the necessary software, you can punch the clock from your favorite coffee shop, one of the many coworking spaces popping up in cities all over, or even from the comfort of your own home.<\/p>\n<p>Remote work isn\u2019t just a trend. It\u2019s completely transformed how companies approach <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">work. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/buffer.com\/state-of-remote-work\/2023\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A study from Buffer<\/span><\/a> found that<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 98%<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of those surveyed desired to work remotely, at least <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">some of the time<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, for the rest of their career.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Remote Work Best Practices for Employees<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WIoHCbxOmPw\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Remote work is here to stay. So following the best practices can help employees perform well, making it easy for them to stay organized and focused throughout the work day. Here&#8217;s what to do:<\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Designate a workspace<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Whether it\u2019s a coworking space or the kitchen table, dedicating a space for the majority of your work helps put you in the right frame of mind during work hours. It also saves you the time and hassle of deciding where to work from, getting set up each day, etc.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cDon\u2019t underestimate the power your environment has on motivation and productivity. Pick a spot free from distractions that supports what you need to accomplish. Cracking open your laptop from the comfort of bed might seem like a good idea, but it\u2019s hard to get things done in a space associated with non-work activities like reading, sleeping, or binge-watching Netflix.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Jenni Prat, Marketing Manager, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/portent.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Portent<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><b>2. Adapt the workspace for productivity and well-being<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>You probably don\u2019t have the luxury to design a home office from scratch. But there are things you can do to make your workspace conducive to productivity and well-being.<\/p>\n<p>Pick a desk that\u2019s big enough to accommodate your essentials, but not so large that it invites clutter. When choosing a chair, try to strike a balance between comfort and support. Chairs that are overly inviting or unsupportive could lead to back and neck pain.<\/p>\n<p>Position your workspace near a window or in a room that receives plenty of daylight. If that\u2019s not possible, change light fixtures and bulbs to those that are designed for <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">offices<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Embrace greenery. Sprucing up your home office with a bit of greenery not only cleans the air around you, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2014\/09\/140901090735.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">boosts your mood<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and improves concentration and memory.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Stay organized<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have your desk or workspace well-stocked in advance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Getting up to search for a document or a paper clip chips away at your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">efficiency<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and could lead to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/productivity-killers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">other distractions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Maximize <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pixpa.com\/blog\/best-productivity-apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">productivity tools<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to keep your virtual space in order, too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re working from home, set boundaries with roommates or houseguests \u2013 informing them of your workspace, work hours, and the peace you need during the workday.<\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Eat healthily<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/ashleystahl\/2017\/09\/08\/the-links-between-diet-and-productivity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">diet directly impacts productivity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, sleep cycles, and self-control. So avoid binging on carbs and empty calories and go well-rounded meals that include healthy options like fruits, vegetables, and nuts.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cKeeping healthy snacks on hand \u2013 You can get hungry either side of lunch, and this is highly likely to impede your progress if you try and wait it out. Many offices around the world offer fruit as snacks and this is a great idea to have in the home too. Relatively cheap but healthy food to give you a burst of energy when needed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Adam Lumb, EN Site Manager, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cashcow.media\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cashcow Ltd<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><b>5. Take meaningful breaks<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>You wouldn\u2019t work 8 hours straight in an office. So why would you try that working remotely?<\/p>\n<p>In the end, overwork not only makes routine tasks more difficult, but leads to health problems, errors, and <a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2015\/08\/the-research-is-clear-long-hours-backfire-for-people-and-for-companies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower overall productivity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Take breaks. And make them count. Go for a walk, read, do some yoga, take the dog out, call a friend \u2013 anything that helps you decompress. If you\u2019re worried about slipping into a flow of no return, schedule them and set an alarm!<\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Mimic office work routines<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Mimicking prior work routines, like when you worked in an office, helps you establish a mental association between your job and doing it from a place that isn\u2019t typically associated with work, like your living room.<\/p>\n<p>Set an alarm, make coffee, and get dressed. To structure your day and stay on task, use calendars and planners and pinpoint and utilize your productive times. Upon calling it a day, make a to-do list for tomorrow.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cGet ready for your day! It can be tempting to stay in your PJs all day but instead get up and get dressed for your day. You will feel more productive and you will be ready for last-minute guests, video chats, and errands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Lisa Sharp, Digital Content Creator, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/lisasharpcreative.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LisaSharpCreative.com<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><b>7. Balance work and life<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>By setting healthy work-life balance boundaries and creating routines, you can better separate work from personal time. Don&#8217;t work longer hours just because you&#8217;re at home and the computer\/laptop is right there. Decide on a time when you&#8217;ll be done for the day to avoid burnout. Setting your personal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/remote-work-policy\/\">remote work policy<\/a> is the best way to keep yourself healthy while working from home.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes it can be difficult to switch off from your job when the line between home and work is blurred. As with any other thing in life, being a remote worker comes with pros and cons. However, it&#8217;s important to set your own boundaries here for your well-being.<\/p>\n<h3><b>8. Set reasonable work goals<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>A helpful tip for working remotely is to set reasonable daily work goals and prioritize tasks. This requires a thoughtful and structured approach. Knowing your capabilities and limits will help you set attainable work goals. Find the right balance between ambition and achievable results for the set time frame.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re a newbie to working from home, it might take some time to adjust your habits to the new environment and get to know yourself in that setting. So don&#8217;t be afraid to ask for help from the other people on your team if you&#8217;ve put too much on your plate and might miss a deadline. Since remote workers tend to feel isolated working alone at home, it&#8217;s easy to forget there&#8217;s someone who can help you. Moreover, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/how-to-build-collaborative-communication\/\">communication and collaboration<\/a> are paramount for remote team members.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter img-responsive size-full wp-image-19974\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Work-from-home-infographic-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Work from home infographic\" width=\"497\" height=\"2560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Infographic created by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.webex.com\/suite\/enterprise-cloud-calling.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Webex<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Best Practices for Managing Remote Employees<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3kfvXqezu04\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re overseeing a fully distributed team or just <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/manage-digital-nomads\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">managing a digital nomad<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or two, a few quick tips and best practices can ensure you get the most out of your employees.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>After all, managing remote workers isn\u2019t the same as managing employees that work in the same physical space. Your staff likely chose to work remotely as a result of the logistical difficulties and <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">efficiency <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">challenges that traditional offices impose, so it\u2019s up to you to refine your management style to see that everyone benefits from the situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>9. Start by being selective<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Don\u2019t let just anyone be part of your team. Above all, remote workers must be accountable, reliable, and able to get the job done without someone staring over their shoulder. Each team member should have a defined role and clear justification for being there.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019re allowed to be choosy, because making a poor choice could lead to slow output, missed deadlines, and poor productivity. If you\u2019re worried about how an employee will perform working remotely, give them a trial period to see how they cope.<\/p>\n<h3><b>10. Lay out all expectations<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Being clear with your expectations of your remote workers isn\u2019t just advice, it\u2019s a must. Because you won\u2019t be working with each other in the same physical location very often, if ever, you need to have a well-defined workflow. Underscore what\u2019s expected of them and when. Then give them the freedom to choose where, how, and when they work. As long as they\u2019re meeting your expectations, you can leave them be.<\/p>\n<h3><b>11. Balance supervision and micromanagement<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>One reason people start working remotely is the freedom it gives them over their schedule. Sure, you need to monitor progress and make sure people are pulling their weight. But you have to toe the line between that and micromanagement.<\/p>\n<p>Constantly pushing for updates or approval builds a tense working environment. The long-term result \u2013 agitated workers, poor engagement, unsatisfactory work, and higher turnover. Keep track of progress. But don\u2019t micromanage your team. It\u2019s a surefire way to turn the experience sour for everyone.<\/p>\n<h3><b>12. Foster connections<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s easy to think no one has your back or notices you when you\u2019re working far apart and rarely meeting your coworkers. In a traditional office, employees get to know each other and form a company culture. But unless you take the time to make this happen, it won\u2019t exist for remote working teams.<\/p>\n<p>Because there\u2019s no water cooler to gather around, you\u2019ll have to work to create the digital equivalent.<\/p>\n<p>Set up a chat room for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/group-chatting\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">group chatting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to celebrate milestones, achievements, and positive events, as well as for sharing difficulties, hardships, and problems. Make use of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/remote-team-building-activities\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">remote team-building activities<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Once a month or quarterly, pick a time that\u2019s convenient for everyone and pick a different game.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Building a stronger connection between employees and the company helps to avoid the disconnectedness that telecommuters experience over time.<\/p>\n<h3><b>13. Improve employee engagement<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Creating a positive work environment even in a remote setting can make employees feel connected to the organization&#8217;s goal and the rest of the team, regardless of the different time zones and locations. Building a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/strong-organizational-culture\/\">strong culture<\/a> that encourages everyone to collaborate helps develop a sense of belonging.<\/p>\n<p>Engaged employees who truly feel part of the company tend to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/how-to-be-more-productive\/\">be more productive<\/a> and work better together. Moreover, organizations that have a positive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/team-culture\/\">team culture<\/a> also have higher retention rates.<\/p>\n<h3><b>14. Use effective communication services<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>More than anything, communication is the glue that holds a team together. Working remotely makes communication harder because you don\u2019t get the chance to regularly meet in person. Email and social media are part of the mix, but they\u2019re not enough.<\/p>\n<p>Centralizing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/ensuring-effective-communication-among-teams\/\">team communication<\/a> does more than just keep your team chatting. With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brosix<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/solutions\/remote-work\/\">remote team communication tool<\/a>, you\u2019ll more effectively establish remote working expectations, keep up with team members and task progress, foster morale and camaraderie, and share everything from cute cat videos to the final deliverable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[highlight_block title=&#8221;Make your remote employees feel like they\u2019re in the office and improve team communication today.&#8221; link1=&#8221;https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/signup\/&#8221; link2=&#8221;&#8221; link3=&#8221;&#8221; ]<\/p>\n<h2><b>The Upshot<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>With companies trending toward greater flexibility and more and more individuals preferring to work remotely, the likelihood of a reversal is slim.<\/p>\n<p>Nevertheless, if you\u2019re not already working remotely, but looking to start, hopefully this guide helped you!<\/p>\n<p>For the rest, with technology constantly advancing, it\u2019s important to take a step back and examine your tech toolkit, equipment, and strategy to remain productive. The same goes for your approach to managing your existing remote workers. In this way, both employees and companies can benefit from continually evolving methods of working.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Applying remote work best practices can directly influence your efficiency. Embracing them can also help you move your career forward. So what are the best practices for working remotely? Let&#8217;s find out! In today&#8217;s dynamic professional environment, remote work has evolved from being an exception to becoming the norm. So it&#8217;s here to stay. And [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":24409,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-55","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-remote-work"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24409"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}