Developing a productive policy for your team when working remotely

At this point, hybrid or remote working is no longer a talking point; it’s how we work, and a benefit both current and future employees expect out of a workplace. Embracing remote work is key to hiring and retaining top talent, as well as fostering a working environment that integrates your business’s needs with those of your valuable team members.  

Building Balance: How to Create a Successful Remote Work Policy for Your Team

It’s as important to facilitate a successful remote work policy for your team as it is to provide them with a state-of-the-art environment for their on-site days. There’s more to integrating hybrid work than assigning days-in and days-out. But where to start? Don’t worry, we’re sharing our Building Balance Strategy, a comprehensive guide to creating a hybrid working policy that keeps both your employees and your ROI happy.  

Understand the Need for Remote Work Policies  

We’ve all had the day at home where – magically! - box is ticked. Emails? Answered efficiently. Laundry? Done. Meetings? Collaborative and to-the-point over Zoom. As a worker yourself, you understand that remote work offers better flexibility and autonomy to your team, allowing them to balance professional responsibilities with personal commitments. However, it’s important to strike the right balance. A remote work policy clearly outlines expectations, communication protocols, and performance metrics, ensuring that business goals are met, even from your home office.  

Creating a Hybrid Work Model 

“Hybrid working” combines remote work with scheduled, on-site days. This approach gives you and your team the best of both worlds, offering flexibility while maintaining team cohesion. The key is compromise: finding a balance that suits the nature of your business with the preferences of your employees. Take some time to figure out what kind of work is best accomplished at home and what necessitates in-office time for various teams throughout your organisation.  

Strategically Schedule On-Site Days  

While the past few years have taught us the importance of flexibility in the workplace, they’ve also highlighted how valuable on-site, in-personal collaboration is to productivity. Work with team managers to schedule on-site days that facilitate team-building activities, brainstorming sessions, and in-person meetings. Making in-office time valuable for all team members will help build a work culture that your employees want to contribute to in-person. 

Set Clear Communication Guidelines  

Effective communication is the backbone of remote and hybrid work structures. Establish clear guidelines on how teams are expected to communicate, collaborate, and share information in a decentralized working environment. Online workflow tools like Monday keep productivity streamlined, while group chat software such as Microsoft Teams or Slack help mitigate panic around longer email response times (as opposed to dropping by a colleague’s desk!). Encouraging open and transparent communication ensures everyone is on the same page, regardless of their physical location!   

Foster a Culture of Trust  

Trust is a two-way street when it comes to successfully managing a team of any size, and the road signs need to be extra clear for remote working. Trust your employees are efficiently using their time when they’re at home. Rather than micromanaging, focus on results and outcomes. Likewise, set clear expectations for deliverables and deadlines for your team, empowering them to manage their time and tasks effectively. Trusting your team to deliver quality work fosters a positive work culture – both in and out of the office.  

Leverage Hot Desk Software for Efficiency  

Hot desking software, like our dedicated Grafter app, allows employees to reserve desks or workspaces as needed, optimising office space usage. When team members come into the office, they’ll feel they have as much autonomy over their time in the office as outside, driving employee satisfaction through streamlined processes aligned with a flexible work culture.  

Prioritise Employee Wellness  

Each employee is unique, which means your policy needs to account for the various challenges associated with working from home. Encourage regular breaks and facilitate virtual team-building time (like group coffee breaks or online workshops) for those who may be at home more to help battle feelings of isolation from the rest of the team. Certain team members might find remote working is not for them. Your remote work policy should be as flexible as your business to ensure every employee feels supported and productive.   

Adapting to Feedback 

Your remote work policy is only as successful as your employees. Ask questions and encourage feedback from your team: Are task directives clear enough? Do they still feel connected to their colleagues? Are on-site days being used effectively? Be willing to adapt your remote policy as you gather feedback and results. After all, flexibility isn’t just about days on-site versus days at home!  

Tackling how to best institute a remote work policy can be intimidating for any team leader. You want to ensure your team's needs are being met, while also meeting (and exceeding!) your business goals. However, embracing remote working gives your business more than a few happy employees; it speaks to your willingness to innovate and create in new and exciting ways, which will have a positive knock-on effect across your entire organisation.  

As you navigate the evolving landscape of work, focus on creating policies that value individuals, adapt to their needs, and foster a collaborative and innovative work culture. Your team, your clients, and your board members will thank you!  

We’re here to help your business become as agile as it can be. Let us know how we can support your business’s evolution. Get in touch or email hello@grafterhouse.com to learn more.