When the Coronavirus forced organisations all over the world to send their employees home to work virtually, remote working had a big moment.
The initial rush to give employees access to the tools they’d need to work from home was huge. Few Lancastrians had heard of ‘Zoom’ in January.
Once we all settled into this new form of normal what quickly became apparent to many office-based teams is that employees could be as productive, accountable and focused when working away the office.
In fact, a research study with over 1,000 workers by the North West Employee Engagement Group (NWEEG) reports that 40% of North West workers have seen a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing as a result of working from home. Two-thirds (67%) of the same sample report they can do at least half of their normal job to the same, or better, standard whilst working from home.
Leaders and Managers need to be proactive to create a sustainable business strategy and continually review it as we tackle this rapid and unprecedented change. Without two-way communication from our workforce we will be unable to do that. I am certain that there will be a greater focus on digital innovation than ever before the virus.
Another important statistic from the aforementioned NWEEG Survey shows that 69% of our people expect their employers to invest more in remote working technology this year.
Continuous performance management solutions like the Vital Signs Engagement and Communication Tool are extremely helpful when it comes to facilitating effective feedback, performance management and regular check-ins between employees and managers. These elements are crucial for maintaining an engaged and motivated team and helps team members feel acknowledged for their hard work.
Developed right here in Lancashire and now used globally, the Vital Signs software solution is a world-class employee engagement tool that empowers people and delivers results. It was created following consultation with over 100 NWEEG member organisations, ranging from single-site, 20-employee businesses to multi-national organisations with many thousands of employees across multiple locations.
What will the future of remote work look like in a post-pandemic world? Will companies go back to “business as usual” and require that everyone work onsite, or is the pandemic the tipping point that finally convinces employers that flexible work is the way to go for the long haul?
More details on Vital Signs can be found at www.vitalsignsengagement.co.uk
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