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Remote Reality

How Employers Can Help Remote Employees with Collaboration, Safety, and Productivity

Did you know almost 5 million people work remotely at least half the time in the United States? That’s a lot.

It’s safe to say remote and hybrid models are the new normal for many employees, cross-industry. If your company is now embracing the new model of business and work-from-home (WFH), you’re on the right track! A WFH or hybrid model can be a win-win for employees and employers—it can save everyone money and improve employee morale, to name a couple of benefits. Some studies indicate that employee productivity increases when they work from home.

A hybrid model also provides greater flexibility for employees and employers. As you adapt, however, you may encounter new considerations when it comes to safety, productivity, and collaboration.

1. Use Office365

When you have employees working together from separate locations, you need software that truly connects them in real-time, the same way they’d collaborate in an office. This means shared calendars and opportunities to chat, easy and fast document sharing, and more. 

Office365 is cloud-based meaning your employees don’t have to worry about sending a document back and forth with tiny tweaks each time. You also don’t have to worry about remembering to hit “Save” all the time, because autosave features have your back. Office365 provides everything your business needs, integrated into one package that supports the reality of remote work. 

2. Get a VoIP Solution

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows you to make and receive calls using an Internet connection instead of a regular phone line. Investing sooner rather than later in a VoIP product like RingCentral is a smart move for any dispersed workforce. It will allow full telephone capability anywhere, from an employee’s desk at home, or their cell phone while out in the field–with higher quality, and lower costs. 

3. Use VPNs 

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a private internet connection from a public network, allowing the user to have anonymity. While privacy is important,  you also don’t want to skip this step for a wide variety of security concerns. Providing secure VPNs to each employee who will be accessing company material from home is crucial, and will help protect them and the business from nefarious attacks! By giving your employees a safe way to access key files or specific line of business applications that are otherwise only available on an office server, you avoid the vulnerabilities of unsecured home networks. 

According to a study by Owl Labs, the vast majority of employees (92%) now plan to work from home at least one full day per week. And 80% expect to work at least three days from home per week. 

Stratti can help you make sure you’re prepared and organized to make WFH safe and productive for everyone. Talk to an expert now!