Remote work efficiency – 10 proven ways to achieve success

Does remote work and efficiency go hand in hand? It turns out that this is not necessarily the case. Research conducted in the USA indicates that fully remote work is associated with significantly lower productivity than office work. The productivity drop can even reach 20% (data from WFH Research, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research). Fortunately, there are many ways to increase the efficiency of remote work. In today’s article, we present the 10 most effective ones!

Remote work became a hot topic during the pandemic, which forced us to stay at home. Although the pandemic times are behind us, working from home continues to enjoy great popularity. According to data from Pracuj.pl, at the beginning of 2023, as many as 28% of people were working remotely or in a hybrid manner. Remote work can indeed pay off. Why?

Remote work pays off – the benefits of home office

Remote work offers advantages for both employers and employees. For companies, it primarily means the possibility of reducing costs associated with maintaining a physical workspace. These savings are not just on utilities but often on office rent as well. For employees, the main benefit is time saved due to the elimination of the daily commute to the office. It also offers greater comfort, some independence, and an increased sense of freedom. Working from home can be balanced with childcare or other responsibilities.

However, the potential to mix work with home duties and the multitude of distractions in a home environment can negatively impact the efficiency of remote workers. Problems may also arise from the lack of specific rules for remote work or the absence of appropriate tools for the job.

Maintaining the highest efficiency of remote workers requires the commitment of both sides – employers, managers, and leaders, as well as the employees themselves.

How to increase the efficiency of remote workers – 4 tips for supervisors

Employers should first ensure that the employee is well-equipped. An absolute must-have is a functioning computer or laptop and a good, fast internet connection. Sometimes a business phone is also beneficial. Additionally, it’s valuable to provide the employee with an ergonomic chair and desk. Working in comfortable conditions is undoubtedly more enjoyable and, therefore, more productive!

An important element affecting the efficiency of remote work is good organization of work time. To be efficient, an employee needs to know what to do. Often, it is the employer’s/supervisor’s responsibility to delegate tasks. A clearly defined work plan and goals are key to success.

General rules for performing professional duties are equally important. It’s crucial to define work hours, breaks, and possible forms of flexibility that allow balancing professional and home responsibilities.

Supervisors should also ensure a clear communication system. It’s necessary to specify expectations regarding the form of contact and responsiveness – how to get in touch with the supervisor, how the supervisor will communicate with the employee, and the hours during which the employee should be available. Besides professional contacts, maintaining social relationships is extremely important. Remote workers can often feel isolated and excluded, which can lead to a decline in well-being, professional burnout, and a decrease in work efficiency. In remote work, integration plays a crucial role in building friendly relations within the company and thereby helps maintain high productivity levels among employees.

Better efficiency in remote work – 6 tips for employees

What can an employee do to maintain the highest efficiency in remote work? The first step should be creating a quiet, comfortable, and well-lit workspace, equipped with all necessary devices and accessories – including a comfortable, ergonomic chair (as mentioned earlier). If it’s not possible to dedicate a separate room for an office, it’s advisable to allocate a part of a room as a workspace, preferably the quietest area during the day.

To be effective, full concentration is essential. In a home environment, it’s easier to get distracted and succumb to stimuli from the surroundings. The sound of a television or children’s antics can significantly hinder maintaining full productivity. It’s important to set rules with household members – defining hours when the employee is unavailable and breaks for attending to family matters.

A home office worker should consciously avoid distractions, especially the smartphone! A “5-minute” check of social media often ends up being an hour-long break. It’s crucial to meticulously adhere to the work schedule. The reward for self-discipline will be the highest efficiency, which translates into significant time savings.

In remote work, it’s beneficial to use dedicated tools (available online or as smartphone apps) that allow for creating a detailed schedule.

The schedule must include breaks. It’s been proven that regular, short breaks enhance productivity at work. Even 5 or 10 minutes of rest from professional duties can recharge one’s batteries. Regular breaks are a way to start each new work phase with fresh energy and a clear mind.

Lastly, but no less important, is taking care of one’s mental comfort and physical health. A healthy, well-balanced diet, physical activity, especially outdoors, maintaining social relationships, pursuing hobbies, and keeping a balance between work and daily life are keys to starting each day with a positive attitude, maintaining motivation, and being energetic! There’s no doubt that a relaxed and happy employee works more efficiently and achieves better results!

Remote work can be efficient. The key is to prepare properly and follow a few important rules. Comfortable working conditions, avoiding distractions, an efficient communication system between the employee and the company, and a clear work schedule are just a few of them.