Remote Work Is Here to Stay
Over the past six months, many companies have been forced to allow their employees to work remotely. Is this a short-term trend? Or will companies allow their employees to continue working remotely after COVID-19 has released its grip on the world? It will be interesting to see if and how companies’ remote work programs continue over the next few years.
Many companies have already implemented temporary remote work programs that will last well into the future. For example, these companies are offering their employees the option to work remotely:
Salesforce – at least August 2021
Other companies like REI are taking it one step further and embracing permanent remote work with open arms. In early September, REI announced that they would be putting their brand new Bellevue headquarters on the market. They are replacing their traditional centralized headquarters with smaller satellite campuses and remote employees. REI's President and CEO, Eric Artz, is turning these challenging times into an opportunity to improve their financial standing while reshaping their corporate culture.
What should a company like REI be thinking about when making such a significant business decision that can impact their corporate culture? I think Bloomberg Law created an exhaustive list of factors companies should consider when setting up a remote work program, but I would add a few more items for consideration.
The Bloomberg Law list calls out the importance of communicating the remote work policy to all the appropriate stakeholders, but it doesn't call out ongoing communication, training, and engagement. For a remote work program to be effective long-term, companies need to also think about long-term employee engagement. For example:
Has the company reviewed communication channels and selected the best collaboration tools?
Has the company implemented an anonymous reporting channel as an alternative to open-door?
Does the company have the right technology to train all employees and give them access to all applicable policies and procedures?
If so, is the company offering training to help employees new to remote learning?
Does the company have a mechanism in place to track remote employees’ satisfaction and performance?
Whether a company is setting up a short-term remote work program to combat the effects of COVID, or if COVID has led them to realize a permanent remote work program is attainable, it is crucial to make sure your remote work program is set up effectively for your industry, your company culture, and your employees.
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MEET THE AUTHOR
Stephanie Farmer is a seasoned ethics and compliance (E&C) professional. She has earned an MA in both Business and Professional and Applied Ethics and is a graduate of The Ethics & Compliance Initiative Managing Ethics in an Organization Program. Prior to and during her E&C career, Stephanie served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and the North Carolina Air National Guard.
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