Remote work a decade ago was not as popular as it is
now. It used to be used for individuals who had special
arrangements to accommodate their needs. However,
businesses have advanced to the point where they thrive
with remote teams. Remote work came into effect when
COVID-19 hit. A way for organizations to get work done
and for employees to make money was to move things
online. Moving work to an online setting prevented
employees and employers from getting sick and a sick
team would not be as productive. But remote work also
gives hackers an opportunity to steal company
information from home networks due to the lack of
security.
Ways to Protect Yourself and the Company
The most effective way to protect an individual or company from attacks while working remotely is to use antivirus and internet security software at home. Sources have concluded the estimated global damage to businesses due to cybercrime is around $1.5 billion per annum. Another way to keep information safe is to keep family members away from work devices. While working from home, young children and/or family members can be exposed to company computers. It is also worth noting to always password-protect devices to prevent third parties from accessing sensitive files.
Is it Effective?
Remote work used to have a bad reputation because employers worried about the loss of productivity. However, the pandemic proved that individuals could work on their own. It has been reported by Prodoscore that remote workers’ productivity increased by 47 percent during the lockdown in March and April 2020, noting that communication from emails (up 57%), telephoning (230%), and messaging (up 9%) all increased.
There are other recent studies that have discovered
remote work options have increased job satisfaction.
Buffer’s 2023 State of Remote Work conducted a study and
found that 91 percent of survey respondents enjoyed
working remotely.
Ultimately, working remotely is
effective, but it may not be the best option for every
employee or organization.
Current State of Remote Work
Many organizations continue to resist remote work for various reasons including a fear that there will be a lack of productivity among their employees and others have not invested in teleconferencing and telework technology to support this trend. In Buffer’s 2023 report, many companies provided the technology needed to complete work in a remote setting including hardware, office equipment, and supplies. Along with this report, 64% of respondents noted that their organization provided hardware, 40% reported items like a desk and chair were offered, and 28% of remote employees were provided with internet service. This is a big increase from Buffer’s report in 2019, in which 75% said their employers would not pay for internet service.
What the Future Holds
While the construction of remote work may continue to grow, this flexible model is here to stay. Remote working options could continue to evolve as technological advances such as AI are able to play a main role in managing remote staff. This transition to overseeing the remote workforce could be daunting to some, but with hardworking employees and the right technology, this can be a seamless process.