The Impact of a Remote Environment on Job Structure and Design
In March of 2020, many US office workers found themselves working remotely due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Most organizations overcame the technology challenges and for the next several months found that their associates were actually more productive and able to achieve their organizations’ business goals while working remotely.
While many associates enjoy the autonomy and flexibility of working from home, several have begun to realize that social interactions, that they took for granted when they worked in an office, are now missing in a remote environment. How they receive their work or interact with peers and customers has also changed. Most find that they are more productive working from home and often have an hour or two of down time in their day that leave them wanting for more interactions. Many companies have implemented video conferences and team meetings, but these are merely communication touch points that do not impact the job’s overall structure or design.
Leaders need to recognize that moving a job from working in an office to working remotely has a direct impact on the job’s logistics and environmental factors which in turn affects its structure and design. It is critical for companies, who continue to have remote associates, to assess each job’s structure and design and adjust where necessary. Most companies know that roles evolve over time. However, with so many jobs shifting to a remote environment all at once, it is critical for companies to do a thorough job analysis of each position to ensure that employees are engaged, feel valued, and are productive.
Improved employee engagement due to flexibility and autonomy along with increased productivity are all benefits for having associates continue to work remotely. Many organizations are seeing the benefits of reducing their real estate footprint and in turn reducing their office expenses. Additionally, companies are able to find talent without the expense of relocating that talent to their local offices. While all of these are positives for working remotely, companies need to be sure to assess each position’s new job structure and design to ensure that long-term they are creating the most effective and productive work environment for their associates and their organizations.
Reach out to Maury Hennessy, Senior Search Consultant, to learn how she can help you with job structure and design analysis. The Carlisle Group has been helping companies create effective work environments for over 24 years.