With any new way of working there will always be challenges. This is certainly true of remote working. Many of these stem, however, from the perception of working outside of the office. Here, we aim to dispel some of the myths, and answer some of the objections to flexible working that are often aired.
Supervision
Many employers remain concerned by allowing staff to work unsupervised. There are, however, several ways to keep updated on your employees’ activities.
Using an online billing and reporting tool, such as Clarity™, you can see which calls have been made just hours after they have been dialled. Time of log in, call logs for sales people, emails sent and call centre statistics can also give an impression of employee activity during the day.
Implementation
Changing technology is always daunting, particularly when you’re looking to replace an entire network or implement new applications. But the installation of remote working packages rarely encroaches upon business time. Once the appropriate components are installed at your head office, it’s also easy to manage and add new devices and users.
Security
IT managers often cite the increased threat of their network being broached as a reason against remote working. So what can be done?
Security can be tailor-made for any remote-working solution, ensuring that it’s as safe as in the office. There are a number of different authentication options, while VPN technology is perfect for keeping data safe over a remote network.
Training employees about the dangers of opening suspicious emails, piggybacking on unsecured wireless networks and sharing the like will also help keep your system safe.
Company spirit
Traditional manners of working rely on face-to-face meetings. Remote working changes this element of the working day, leaving some to worry that it will affect the way teams communicate and interact.
However, with Instant Messaging, mobile email and converged phones, there is no excuse not to be in contact with colleagues. Plus, having a constantly evolving office also keeps a working environment fresh, can lead to reduced office politics and improved team spirit.
Find out more about working from home
Find out more about mobile working, including mobile broadband and BlackBerry
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Frequently asked questions about remote working
