Communication Technology and Inclusion

Communication Technology and Inclusion

Blog Article

Remote work was rare a decade ago. Working from home was usually available only as a special arrangement to accommodate families in specific cases. However, teleconferencing and telework technology have advanced to the point where some businesses thrive with completely remote teams.

The mass transition to remote working came about in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond preventing illness from spreading – a sick team can’t be as productive – remote work has proven beneficial in a number of ways.

Since working from home is here to stay, it’s important to know how to get the most out of remote communication technology. After all, your team can be just as effective, if not more, working from home if you have the right tools. Read ahead for a guide on the past, present and future of remote working.

Is remote working effective?
A decade ago, most employers would have balked at the idea of employees regularly work from home. One major concern most employers had for working remotely was a loss of productivity. But the pandemic showed that employees could work on their own. Prodoscore, for example, reported that remote workers’ productivity increased 47 percent during the lockdown in March and April 2020, finding that communication activities such as emailing (up 57 percent), telephoning (up 230 percent) and chat messaging (up 9 percent) all climbed.

Other recent studies indicate that remote work options increase job satisfaction. Buffer’s 2023 State of Remote Work report found that 91 percent of survey respondents enjoyed working remotely, with flexibility listed as the biggest benefit. Additionally, in 2022, McKinsey surveyed 25,000 workers across a range of industries about their remote work experience. According to the study, seeking out flexible work environments is the third reason why people search for new jobs (better pay/hours and career opportunities are the others). Remote work is such a large priority for workers that 87 percent of the respondents said that when offered the chance to work remotely, they would take it.

Ultimately, working remotely is effective, but it has to be put into practice correctly, and it may not be the best situation for every employee or every business.