Remote working is nothing new!

Remote working is nothing new! 

Regardless of the abbreviation you use – remote working, working on the move, WFH, it all means the same thing. Employees working outside the traditional office environment – that’s what we mean here. 

 As a result of the Global pandemic, most people and therefore businesses, have had to rethink the way their employees work (myself included). However, this is not a new thing – for decades employees have work remotely. Some of us are old enough to remember the “Road Warriors” – herds of lease cars up and down the country, suit jackets swinging in the back window, as sales reps armed with boot loads of samples searched the landscape for the next deal. This was remote working – the mobile office, four wheels, a fuel card, an AA road map and a pocket full of coins for the nearest phone box. Technology thankfully has moved on! 

 Recently and well covered on many Social Media platforms, Lord Sugar made his feelings on remote working very clear, as did the multiple responses to his statement. The BBC published an article this week looking at the rising number of workers that are against the return to traditional office working. The article draws attention to a survey released earlier this year that states, “50% of workers would rather resign” than return to full time office working. 

 Across the country the demand for office space is increasing – in Cardiff for example the figures year on year are up 150% - even more in certain industries. Some may think that this is due to a swing away from remote working, but I would argue that it is not about dragging the work force back to the office. Instead, it is a move by companies to think more about space, making the working environment more welcoming. Improving services, creating a more relaxed open area for work rather than rows and rows of desk after desk. 

 The traditional slog to and from the office has gone – employees and employers understand that being more flexible with work times and environments can be and is productive. Companies have seen the results – in employee morale, productivity and in the bottom line. Many employees thrive in a flexible working environment. 

 However, remote working does have its issues – it can result in delays in communication, missing deadlines, not to mention issues in monitoring productivity. Business still needs to go on – queries need to be answered and meetings still need to be attended – be that a regular meeting or one on the fly. 

Many of the objections I hear about flexible working for employees comes down to lack of control or monitoring. With more technology comes more options but having multiple methods of communication can lead to important messages being missed, which can have a direct impact on the productivity of a business.

 A Unified Communications system can address these concerns. It is a platform where calls, messages, emails, meetings can all happen in one place regardless of where the employee is based, allowing you see the availability and productivity of employees. Many businesses have already adapted and have a Unified Communications platform in place – however far too many businesses have yet to make the change

 Personally, I believe that if employees are given the freedom to choose where they work, they will always go for the place where they are most comfortable, where they are happiest, where they are more productive. That could be in the office, the kitchen table, a coffee shop, or the converted