In 2019, worldwide remote employees constituted 17%. Can you guess what will be the percentage of the same by 2021 end?
You won’t believe it is almost double. It is estimated that 32% of the worldwide employees will be working remotely. This also includes the hybrid workforce who will be coming to the office at least once a week.
These stats vary from country to country based on their digital adaptations. Countries like India, China, UK and US have already shown a massive leap in the number of employees working remotely. Other countries like Japan, Brazil, France and Germany still show a moderate improvement in the adaptation of remote work culture. All these stats are expected to increase further by 2025.
Many MNCs like Facebook, Salesforce, Twitter and Slack have adapted to remote and hybrid work culture. Google has given its employees the option to decide if they want to work from office or home. There are mixed feelings when it comes to remote working. Whether you like it or not, the workplace is evolving.
In a nutshell, the remote working environment will expand down the line.
Where does UAE stand in remote work?
UAE has a great potential to flourish in this remote work culture along with its readiness to adapt to recurring digital demands. The best example to prove this is when the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai activated 100% remote work for Amer call centers in all departments. The UAE government also provides remote work visa that allows the employee to stay in UAE and work for clients outside UAE. This country will performs better in remote working than any other countries in Middle East due to its IT infrastructure.
How to build a sustainable remote work environment?
Being a talent solution provider to corporates for decades, our experience has made us realize that the following parameters will help in the smooth running of remote work.
- Feel Connected
While in office, the team meetings, lunch together, chit chats add better bonding within the team. In remote work culture, it is slightly difficult to maintain. Try to maintain virtual meetings along with some online recreational activities. Try to use platforms like LinkedIn to appreciate employee’s good work and promote the company’s work culture. It gives the feeling of oneness.
- Surveys
Since you don’t meet your colleagues near the printer or pantry, it is important to understand how their life is with small conversations. Surveys are a good option to get a mass overview of the team for better decision-making.
- New Bees
An interactive onboarding is required which includes virtual training and opportunity to meet other team members online. They should have access to devices and tools without compromising the standards of office work.
- Use of tools
Get the right remote working tool based on the business you are into. These tools help you to schedule meetings, maintain and share MOM, schedule work, monitor employee screens, take reports of their productivity etc. There are so many tools available in the market. Here are some of them: Click here
It is important to adapt to the changes in the market. Adapting to remote work culture will have a huge impact on the companies. Some of them being:
- Better engagement, that is lesser number of absentees compared to work from office.
- Productivity has improved for teleworkers with an increase of 4.4%
- Employee retention can increase up to 12%. Employees are ready to switch to companies that provide more flexible workspace.
- A telecommuter can save the company’s transport charges up to $11,000 per year.