Hello, this is Hayashi from the Marketing Department.
Remote work seems to have taken root to some extent in Japan, but on the other hand, there may be more than a few people who feel that remote work does not suit them.
Based on what I have seen and heard about remote work, I will explain the characteristics of those who are suited and unsuited to remote work and how to manage the use of remote work and office work in a workflow.
Are these People Not Suited to Remote Work?
Many people around me are working remotely, and I hear many stories.
While some people see the benefits of remote work, others see an extreme drop in the quality and efficiency of their work once they start working remotely.
Is Remote Work a Battle Against Loneliness and Anxiety?
Remote work became popular because of the COVID pandemic, but we have seen cases where people feel lonely and anxious about remote work, especially if they live alone.
Indeed, no matter how much chatting and emailing you do, if you continue to not see or talk to people, it may not be good for your mental health. In addition to such an environment, there were people around me who became anxious and wanted to stop working remotely because of the daily news reports about COVID.
In the case of these individuals, it is necessary to consider countermeasures before they become mentally and physically ill.
If You’re Not Good at Communicating in Writing…
In the above section, I mentioned chat and email, but in remote work, there is no face-to-face communication, so these tools are often used to communicate with others.
Because you are not working in the same place, remote workers need to communicate more frequently than office workers. If you work remotely and cannot see the other person’s face, lack of response or lack of communication can affect the relationship of trust.
However, for those who are not good at written communication, using tools such as chat and email to communicate and report can be a major burden. It is also important to note that these people may not be able to accurately convey what they want to say in writing, which may lead to misunderstandings.
It’s Tough if You Don’t Have Self-Discipline
By the way, in the COVID pandemic situation many people inevitably made their homes their workplaces.
However, it is also true that there are many temptations at home that interfere with work. Some people are able to concentrate on their work in the office under the watchful eye of their bosses, but when they are alone, they are instantly unable to concentrate.
This is why it is said that self-discipline is important in remote work.
So with remote work, you have to manage yourself, including the environment in which you work. The same is true for the content of your work. In the office, you may be able to proceed with your work while receiving instructions from your supervisor or leader, but this is not the case when you work remotely. You need to actively think about the content of your work and how to proceed by yourself.
What are the Requirements for People Suited to Work Remotely?
So far we’ve discussed people who aren’t suited to working remotely, but on the other hand, there are some people who:
- Can manage themselves well
- Do not mind communicating via chat or email
- Can work alone in silence (tolerate solitude)
If you meet these conditions, you are suited to remote work.
For example, people who feel highly stressed by commuting and can work systematically alone may find it easier to work remotely from home. On the other hand, those who feel strongly lonely or anxious when working alone or who need constant direction and supervision by a supervisor or leader may be better off working in an office. If you are not good at communicating via email or chat, you may be able to solve the problem by setting up more places where you can exchange ideas in person, such as online meetings.
Consider an Environment in which Each of Us is Comfortable to Work
Incidentally, even though remote work has become widespread, many people still use both office work and remote work as needed. Although the ratio of office work to remote work varies depending on the industry, type of job, and nature of the work, it would be ideal for workers if their needs and aptitudes are reflected.
On the other hand, managers need to know who is in the office or working remotely on any given day, and they need to plan the allocation and progress of work. For the workers, the time-consuming process of applying and registering for remote work can be stressful in itself.
Utilize the Work Location Registration Process
Now Questetra BPM Suite offers a number of workflow templates that can be used free of charge, and one of them is Work Location Registration Process.
Sample workflow diagram of the Work Location Registration Process
This workflow allows each employee to register their work location for the day, making it easy to manage and track their office work and telecommuting status. For example, if an employee chooses to go to the office when starting their work, they will be automatically added to the Role “Office Worker” in the workflow platform. Once the Role “Office Worker” is defined, other business processes can use this user group to get their work done.
Sample of “Work Place Registration Process” Entry Screen
This clear grouping by work location will make it easier to assign and progress work according to each working style. Also, since workers can easily register their work locations, they will be freed from the stress of these procedures and applications, making it easier for them to choose the work style that suits them best.
Click here to download the Work Location Registration Process
Enabling Diverse Work Styles with Questetra BPM Suite
In the end, the key to avoiding failure in implementing remote work is to determine the ratio of remote work to office work according to each individual’s aptitude and business needs, and to create a work environment that facilitates the implementation of such a flexible work style.
With Questetra BPM Suite, you can easily access the same system at home as at the office as long as you have an Internet connection. Of course, the same conditions apply when you are at a cafe or on the train on your way to work.
Please take this opportunity to experience adaptability in remote work with Questetra BPM Suite. You can also try it for free.
