Digital technology has made the world of remote work possible. Without remote conferencing software and cloud storage, millions of employees would still be stuck working from a cubicle in an office building.
However, the rise of remote work hasn’t been without a few hiccups. Many employees find that working remotely undermines their mental health, while others have found that working from home puts them at increased risk of cybersecurity attacks.
New digital technology can help staff overcome these issues and embrace the new era of remote-hybrid work. This is particularly important today, as more companies are shutting their physical locations and adopting remote working spaces instead.
Well-Being
Working remotely can have an unpredictable effect on employees’ mental health. While some employees benefit from greater freedom and shorter commutes, others find the experience isolating. This sentiment is echoed by a recent Microsoft report, which found that many remote employees “feel socially isolated, guilty and try to overcompensate.”
Remote work technology can’t bring coworkers into the home office, but it can help remote employees improve their well-being and resilience. Wearables that collect physiological data can track their mood and psychological state using their smartphone. This can be correlated with smart data like heart rate, body temperature, and electrodermal activity to gather a more accurate snapshot of employee health and wellness.
Businesses that adopt wearable and remote monitoring devices still need to make policy changes that support mental health. Remote employees need extra help to avoid the negative effects of poor mental health at work. This includes simple measures like encouraging remote employees to turn their webcams on and maintain more regular daily hours. These changes can help remote staff feel connected to their work and build a more resilient mindset.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a serious concern for big businesses around the globe. Data breaches can cost businesses between $120,000 – $1.24 million and irrevocably damage a brand’s reputation. Unfortunately, remote employees often resemble a weak point in a business’s cybersecurity systems.
Remote employees can improve their security and work from home safely by using virtual private networks (VPN) and two-factor authentication passwords. These simple changes add an extra layer of defense and all but ensure that staff has a secure connection between their home devices and the corporate network.
Staff can further reduce their risk of cyberattacks by learning to recognize the signs of a phishing scam. Phishing accounts for one-third of all scams online and occurs when a malicious actor poses as someone they are not. Phishers can even pose as colleagues to gain login credentials, payment, or access to other sensitive data. Staff can minimize risk by learning to spot the signs of a phishing attack:
- Misspelled email address lines;
- External emails without the company handle;
- Requests to follow links;
- Unusual communications from senior employees.
Implementing a VPN and learning to recognize the giveaway signs of phishing can help staff stay safe while working from home.
Automation
Automation is revolutionizing the way remote employees work. When leveraged correctly, automation can take care of mundane responsibilities and free up time for tasks that add genuine value to the business.
Research conducted by Deloitte suggests that 78% of business leaders believe that remote workers will drive the automation revolution. Folks who work from home typically complete highly-skilled, creative tasks like programming or social media management. These employees are constantly looking for ways to improve their performance and are keen to adopt automation-as-a-service (AaaS) technology.
Automation is a particularly powerful tool for business leaders looking to reduce employee burnout. Automating repetitive, monotonous tasks gives staff more free time and helps them strike a better work-life balance. This is particularly important for remote workers who are prone to overworking due to feelings of guilt.
Collaboration Platforms
Collaborative digital platforms like Notion and Mural are making waves in the remote working world. These platforms utilize cloud-based storage and real-time synchronous pages to aid collaboration and boost remote working productivity.
Sites like Mural are particularly useful for businesses that host hybrid work schemes. During a remote-hybrid meeting, participants can use the platform to share designs, write on a virtual whiteboard, and link to useful documents or webpages.
Similarly, Notion helps managers bring remote employees into the heart of their projects. As a digital workspace, Notion gives users a chance to share important knowledge, embed documents, and work on collaborative projects in real-time. This mimics the office environment without the hassle of having to refill the coffee pot.
Digital Technologies & Remote Work – Final Thoughts
Millions of people work remotely around the globe. Today, there’s a whole fleet of software-as-service (SaaS) programs and digital technology available to help remote teams improve their productivity and improve their well-being. However, business leaders still need to ensure that organizational policies support employees who work from home and should play an active role in supporting staff who do not visit the office.
FAQ
A: Remote work, or telecommuting or teleworking, refers to working outside a traditional office, usually from home or any location outside the company’s physical premises.
A: Digital technologies are revolutionizing remote work by enabling seamless communication, collaboration, and productivity regardless of geographical distance. These technologies provide tools for virtual meetings, file sharing, project management, and more.
A: Some digital technologies transforming remote work include:
1. Video Conferencing Platforms: These allow face-to-face virtual meetings, fostering real-time communication and collaboration.
2. Cloud Computing: Cloud services enable remote access to files, data storage, and collaborative document editing from anywhere with an internet connection.
3. Project Management Tools: These tools assist in task assignment, progress tracking, and team collaboration, ensuring efficient project management in remote work environments.
4. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): VPNs create secure connections, enabling remote workers to access company networks and resources securely.
5. Communication and Messaging Apps: These apps facilitate instant messaging, voice calls, and video calls, promoting effective communication and teamwork among remote team members.
A: Video conferencing platforms simulate face-to-face interactions, fostering better communication and team collaboration and reducing isolation among remote workers. They enhance productivity, improve project coordination, and allow for more personal and engaging interactions.
A: Cloud computing provides remote workers easy access to files and applications, promotes real-time collaboration, ensures data backup and security, and allows for scalability and flexibility in remote work environments.
