Managing Virtual Staff
Technology provides flexibility for employees to work at home and this is a benefit for managers as well. Businesses can now search for talent across state and country borders, especially in the technology area. Besides the company and compensation, working at home is an attractive perk to candidates.
So how do you manage, encourage, motivate, communicate to virtual employees? You do have to set up strong communication systems to insure that the employee is part of the team. Use technology to have weekly meetings as well as team building events.
Not every employee handles working at home well. For some, they get distracted and need an office environment to keep them focus. The studies are showing that virtual employees are high performers as they appreciate the quality of life of not commuting and no interruptions.
Nina Hendy on SmartCompany.com provides you with the benefits and issues that arise with this new work environment…”How To Manage Staff Working From Home.”
Increasingly, employees are raising the possibility of working from home as being an appealing proposition, forcing businesses to consider loosening the reins.
If you need to find talent to grow your company, then analyze whether it’s an option for your company. Start small and select a group that is most conducive to working on their own. Performance expectations are the same whether an employee sits in a cubicle or works from home. Set up phone call, status reports or project updates to insure that the employee is meeting performance expectations.
With virtual employees you do need to set up opportunities for the whole team to communicate with each other. Companies that are all virtual will have in person meetings either every quarter or three times a year. Even with all hands on deck onsite meetings, it can still be cheaper than paying for rent and other operational costs. As well as you can hire talent from anywhere.
Some managers may be reluctant to give up their perceived sense of control of work with virtual employees. It’s definitely different and yet with the right structure, this is a viable option that enhances work performance.
Does your company have virtual employees? Does it work?
How do you feel about managing work at home employees?
Be well,
Pat
***********MANAGING VIRTUAL EMPLOYEES***************
