Remote Work Expectations and Tips

Since COVID-19 made its debut back in 2020 – which somehow feels like both a couple of short years ago and an eternity all at once – millions of Americans transitioned suddenly from a lifestyle of commuting to work to one of a makeshift home office setups.

If you are an employee who currently commutes to the office, test your knowledge to see how closely you align with the expectations of a company that permits remote employees. On the other hand, maybe you are already remote and want to pick up a few tips to improve your routines and best redeem your time!

</p> <section data-block="MultipleChoice"> <h3>What is the most important thing a remote employee can do to stay up to date with their manager?</h3> <ul> <li>Send weekly spreadsheets in lieu of in person meetings</li> <li>Since the employee is remote, they don’t need to reach out to the manager unless there’s a problem</li> <li>The manager should be the one initiating meetings to stay up to date, so there’s no need for the employee to worry about that</li> <li>Schedule regular meetings with the manager to maintain an open line of communication and discuss goals</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="MultipleChoice"> <h3>What are the expectations of most managers for their remote employees in terms of hours and availability?</h3> <ul> <li>To maintain the same productivity levels as if the employee was working in person</li> <li>To be somewhat more available given the lack of supervision and distractions at hand</li> <li>To work later or earlier in the day to make up for the longer breaks likely being taken</li> <li>Managers naturally expect some loss in productivity due to the nature of working remotely</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="MultipleChoice"> <h3>What is the best strategy for employees to handle the inevitable home distractions?</h3> <ul> <li>Ensure that they have a dedicated workspace and boundaries with other inhabitants in the home so that distractions can be minimized or eliminated</li> <li>Working in the midst of family life is an adjustment, so employers expect distractions to partially affect performance</li> <li>Since they are in their own home, they should be able to take as many breaks as they need to address the distractions</li> <li>Communicate the nature of the distractions to the manager and inform them of any schedule changes that will arise</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="MultipleChoice"> <h3>What is the best mode of communication that employees can utilize to stay connected to their co-workers and managers?</h3> <ul> <li>Phone calls are most essential and should be used most since everyone is remote</li> <li>Google chats or messenger systems since they keep the best record of messages</li> <li>Quick texts are ideal since emails and phone calls can feel more hectic with being remote</li> <li>Regular video calls are best to maintain a more formal outlet for discussions</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="MultipleChoice"> <h3>What is the best way for employees to establish trust with their managers in light of working remotely?</h3> <ul> <li>The manager should screen all work devices and more closely monitor employees</li> <li>The employee should initiate frequent check-ins and meetings to discuss challenges and progress</li> <li>Have 1 video call everyday to ensure at least a few minutes of face to face time</li> <li>As long as the employee is meeting the deadline, the manager typically doesn’t care</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="MultipleChoice"> <h3>What should a remote employee do if there are too many tasks or conflicts on their to-do list?</h3> <ul> <li>They should prioritize the tasks based on urgency and significance</li> <li>The employee should do one task at a time, even if it takes a longer time to complete</li> <li>Working remotely may require more multi tasking as opposed to following an order</li> <li>They should work on the tasks in the order in which they received them</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="MultipleChoice"> <h3>What should an employee do if they face technological difficulties while at home?</h3> <ul> <li>Assume that the Wifi is probably causing devices to load more slowly and take a break until it resets</li> <li>Have a friend or family member assist with the problem</li> <li>Contact <a title="" class="aalmanual" target="_self" href="https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/it-support">IT support</a> to receive help</li> <li>Tell the manager that they will need to take a break while the issue resolves, however long that may be</li> </ul> </section> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>

Remote Life Benefits

Many companies and employees have collectively decided that working remotely isn’t all that bad. All the initial adjustments that employees companywide had to adapt to upfront now feel cemented in our professional day-to-day lives. Over time, many companies and employees have apparently agreed to a silent, symbiotic relationship of sorts regarding remote work. Companies are saving money by not having to rent or own office spaces, and employees are granted the gift of not having to use their cars, gas, and time commuting into work. For countless companies and their respective employees to this day, remote work has morphed into a seeming revelation.

Challenges of Being at Home

Despite these newfound pluses, the reality of remote work is still challenging for many. Particularly, individuals struggle with how to use their time best or collaborate with others. Some may doubt how their performance levels are being assessed with minimal to no in-person time with supervisors or managers. Managers on the other hand can feel as though they have lost control of how work time is being utilized by the team they oversee. And of course, when it comes to handling classified information, that can’t be done at home. The remote life isn’t the best life for everyone.

Working through the best way to navigate these issues has been a collaborative effort, with no one knowing the exact right way to solve these problems. While there’s oftentimes no one right answer to how to approach these issues, most companies are now resolute in their expectations for their employees. Having a clear understanding regarding these expectations is a key way to set yourself up for success – you never know if you’ll suddenly be asked to transition to a remote job!

Remote Life Benefits

Challenges of Being at Home

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