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March 29, 2023

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Remote Work Digest: March 31, 2023

The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.

How to Spot Quiet Quitting in Remote Work: 9 Tips | Barbara Ivusic, Makeuseof.com

The term “quiet quitting” has been used to describe people who have mentally checked out of their jobs. Instead of quitting, an employee chooses to do less—or do just enough to turn over a paycheck.

Most quiet quitters are out looking for new work or focusing their time and energy on projects outside of work. With remote work making it difficult to spot quiet quitters, there are some signs to look out for.

1.They Don’t Participate in Meetings

If you have a teammate who is selective about the meetings they attend, while knowing full well that their presence is required, you may have a quiet-quitter. While it may not be necessary to attend every meeting, if your team member is deliberately missing meetings to prove a point, it could mean their motivation has gone down.

2. They Don’t Join Events

If your team has organized leisure events online, such as gaming nights or virtual get-togethers, and people are uninterested in joining, there could be a number of reasons. They could have a lot on their plate already, or they have other commitments, but if team members are choosing to avoid every single event, it could be an indication that they’ve lost their desire to interact with their team.

3. They Withdraw or Check Out

If a team member suddenly seems indifferent about the company or their work, it could indicate that they no longer care about their position and are (likely) on the lookout for something else. While there are signs that tell you when somebody is ready to leave their job, it could be that there is a more prominent problem in their lives.

4. They Don’t Meet Deadlines

While there could be a number of reasons for the change in quality, such as personal problems, or burnout, consistently handing in work that is not up to scratch may mean that they are quiet quitting. There are smart ways to quit a job on good terms, but if your colleague no longer shows interest in the way their poor performance is perceived, they are likely on their way out.

5. They Act Disinterested

If your co-worker is cynical about the company culture, or disinterested in the work they are doing, it could indicate that they are getting ready to leave.

6. They Are Not Reachable

One of the reasons that people choose to quiet-quit is when they are feeling overworked, uninspired, or underpaid. One way to spot that someone has lost interest in their work is by the working hours they do.

7. They Isolate Themselves

In a remote working environment, it is still possible to perform to the best of your abilities. This includes staying active in chat channels, contributing ideas, and having an input in work processes. If your colleague is no longer participating in any of these things, and they’ve decided to isolate themselves both mentally and emotionally from workplace demands, it could be a sign that they are quiet quitting.

8. They Don’t Show Initiative

While there are a number of reasons why somebody is no longer showing initiative, a quiet-quitter usually doesn’t want to give more of themselves to a company they no longer care about.

9. They Might Be Burned Out

While burnout is not a prerequisite for quiet quitting, people who are overworked and underpaid could turn into quiet quitters. Companies with a high turnover, unclear expectations, and those that report a spike in workplace stress, might well produce some quiet quitters.

Understand the Reasons Behind Quiet Quitting

While it may be easy to jump to conclusions as to why somebody is quiet quitting, not every employee is the same. By looking deeper into the reasons why somebody is no longer contributing to their workplace like they used to, you may be able to get to the bottom of their behavior.

The 11 Best Places to Find Virtual Assistant Jobs | Jose Luansing Jr., Makeuseof.com

Although there are thousands of VA job opportunities online, you might find the numerous options intimidating. Newbies won’t even know where they should start looking. To jumpstart your job hunt, we’ll share the best freelance sites and platforms that offer legit, lucrative VA jobs.

1.Upwork

Upwork is arguably the largest freelance platform today. It has amassed 12 million active freelancers and 5 million paying clients worldwide since it started in 2013. The site also accommodates users from 180+ countries.

2. Fiverr

Fiverr is a widely known and trusted marketplace for freelance services. It has more than 3.42 million paying customers from 190+ countries who regularly hire various freelance virtual assistants.

3. LinkedIn

LinkedIn serves as the go-to social media platform for professional networking. Although the site originally catered to headhunters and job hunters, it has recently been more accommodating of freelancers.

4. 27/7 Virtual Assistant

24/7 Virtual Assistant primarily caters to newbie and intermediate VAs. It offers one-off gigs for administrative tasks like document filing, basic bookkeeping, simple web development, site maintenance, and customer service. Most projects will require 1 to 6 hours of availability a week.

5. Fancy Hands

Fancy Hands takes projects from SMBs and mid-sized enterprises, then divides them among its operations associates, otherwise known as VAs. Expect to see a broad range of orders. Apart from standard administrative services, you could also perform specific tasks, like making phone calls on behalf of clients, hunting for good shopping deals, or looking for hotel room discounts.

6. 99 Dollar Social

99 Dollar Social is a social media marketing agency that outsources content production to VAs on a per-project basis. It primarily needs content creation for short blogs and ads. So if you have copywriting experience, you’ll have a better shot at qualifying as a VA.

7. Belay

Experienced VAs who want consistent work with decent rates can consider Belay. It has a strict hiring process comprised of three parts: the initial screening, a skills assessment, and the final interview. Although application takes a while, qualified VAs are rewarded with good-paying, long-term clients.

8. Virtalent

VAs looking for long-term work opportunities should consider Virtalent. It’s a remote agency in the UK that provides SMBs and mid-sized enterprises with a broad range of administrative services, from appointment scheduling to prospecting.

9. Time Etc.

Another solid VA agency based in the UK is Time Etc. It provides US and UK startups and business owners with administrative services through skilled, all-around executive assistants.

10. Vicky Virtual

Vicky Virtual specializes in voice process jobs. It provides SMBs with skilled VAs who’ll serve as their virtual receptionist. Your daily duties will primarily revolve around taking complaints, answering queries, and reaching out to client business partners.

11. Virtual Gal Friday

Virtual Gal Friday provides VA job opportunities in the following specialized sectors: legal, medical, and accounting. If you pass, expect to focus on specific tasks. Most of its clients require VAs who’ll do paralegal work, answer phone calls, reach out to prospects, or manage internal company-wide messages all day.

Maximize Freelance Sites to Land VA Jobs Quickly

With the competition on VA freelancing platforms growing fiercer, expect to spend more time prospecting. Clients have a lot more hiring options nowadays. To outperform other applicants, prove your worth with a reputable online presence, impressive portfolio, and data-backed result analysis.

Steps to take when a remote job turns out to be more office-based | Rhymer Rigby, Fm-magazine.com

It is a very recent work problem. Late in the intense pandemic period or shortly afterwards, you changed jobs. The job you applied for was sold to you as largely or wholly remote. But slowly you have found yourself being asked to come into the office more and more. There’s always a reason, but now you’re in three or four days a week. This is not what you signed up for. So, what should you do?

Take a step back

Ask yourself how bad it really is. Were you sold a completely different job, or is it just a bit different? Think, too, about the role itself. Has it changed, or have external circumstances changed? Ask yourself if you’re being unreasonable and if this is instead just a minor annoyance.

Ensure you communicate about work expectations

Provide regular updates and communicate. Ensure you participate in chat, group calls, and video meetings — even those where your presence is optional. Yes, it’s a bit performative, but good work doesn’t always speak as loudly as it should.

Get some context

You need to determine where the change is coming from. Is it an edict from the CEO, who has decided to go office-based? Is it directed at just you or at the people who work for your boss? Sound out your colleagues. You might discover that many people are in the same boat, which is great — you have allies. One person approaching the boss is easy to dismiss, half the team less so.

Understand your boss’s position

This is key. If everyone is being affected by this, your boss might be shielding you from its worst effects. In this case, you want to make a kind of general complaint, rather than blame the boss.

Build your case

If, for example, you chose remote work because it fitted around childcare or other family commitments, these can be presented as extremely difficult to deal with. Worth pointing out, too, is that your commute is lost time and makes you less efficient. Stress the positives. You are calmer, more effective, and more productive if you are allowed to work partly or wholly from home.

Find independent evidence

One of the key arguments in favour of remote work is that it makes employees more productive. Thanks to the pandemic, a great deal of research has been done on this in the past few years. So look up some studies such as one from global not-for-profit Catalyst, which shows that remote employees are 68% more likely to report high organisational commitment, or one from PwC, where 57% of business leaders said remote or hybrid work boosted productivity, at least in the short term.

Ask for a meeting

This is an important issue and could materially impact your future at the company. So set up a proper meeting to discuss it. While you are asking your employer to stick to an agreement that was made, you need to be reasonable, too. So, think of some concessions that are relatively easy for you to make but would be important to them. You might commit to being in for certain days. Stress that you want to find a positive outcome for everyone and try to offer solutions.

If they say no

Here you have a number of choices, and these depend on whether the disagreement is with your immediate manager or is more of a company-wide issue. In the former case, if you get on well with those above your boss or others in the hierarchy, you might approach them informally. A more formal route would be to speak to HR. You could also get an employment lawyer to look over your contract.

And if this fails?

If you have a serious work issue that is proving intractable, it may be worth asking yourself if you might be happier elsewhere. You may decide the legal route is simply not worth it or that a company that is inflexible is not for you. Here, you are in a strong position. In many countries, there are more jobs than applicants. What is more, many companies are now very supportive of remote work and even when it’s entirely remote. Moreover, these tend to be forward-looking companies. So, start job hunting. And you can be completely honest in your interview when they ask why you want to leave your current job.

4 Reasons Why Happy Employees Are Good for Your Bottom Line | Deanna Ritchie for Due.com, Nasdaq.com

As a company, you likely prioritize the happiness of your clients and customers. After all, a happy customer can lead to repeat business, as well as new business through word-of-mouth referrals. However, if you don’t consider employee happiness, you could be inadvertently hurting the company’s financial performance. Though it may seem an unlikely budget line item, companies can expect to see several benefits as a result of investing in employee happiness.

1.Increased productivity

When you prioritize employee happiness, productivity follows. A study of U.K. telecom workers by researchers from Oxford University’s Saïd Business School found that employees who were happy at work were 13% more productive than those who weren’t. These call center reps didn’t achieve their increased output by logging more hours. Rather, they made more calls and earned more sales conversions because they were — you guessed it — happy.

2. More collaboration among co-workers

It’s not hard to imagine that employees would be more eager to team up with sunny-minded colleagues than gloomy ones. There’s research evidence to prove it. A WeWork/Ipsos survey of 4,000 workers in the U.S. and Europe found that over half of all respondents who reported themselves happy at work collaborate with five or more co-workers daily. Unsatisfied workers reported notably lower levels of collaboration — and this lack of collaboration costs businesses.

3. Stronger client and customer relationships

A happy employee can boost client relationships in several ways. First of all, the employee working with the client is the one who will leave a lasting impression. If they’re unhappy in the workplace, those feelings may seep into client meetings. Furthermore, an employee who is feeling overworked and stressed may not offer beneficial services to the client, as doing so could add to their workload. Not only do you miss the chance of an upsell, you risk not meeting the client’s expectations and ultimately losing them to a competitor.

4. Higher retention rates

As the Great Resignation vividly demonstrated, employees who aren’t happy at work won’t hesitate to leave. And that’s something business owners definitely want to avoid. In Gallup’s conservative estimate, a company will spend anywhere from one-half to two times an employee’s annual salary to replace the departed worker. That’s not petty cash.

Not only are there the hard costs of advertising the opening, interviewing candidates and training subsequent hires, there’s a significant cost in lowered productivity. It can take a year or more for a new employee to get fully up to speed, and the colleagues who are training them get pulled away from their own work, causing a further hit to productivity. Add in skill loss and damage to the customer experience, and it’s not hard to see why employee turnover is so harmful.

How to make your employees happy

Offer an attractive compensation package

A 2022 Willis Towers Watson survey found that 81% of employees who were pleased with their benefits would stick with their current employer for another two years or more. Just 51% of the displeased would say the same. To make your employees happy, your compensation package should be “competitive-plus.” Aim for the upper range of the prevailing salary scale, and consider adding additional perks (childcare reimbursements, transit pass discounts, etc.) to the expected health insurance, PTO and retirement benefits trifecta.

Make flexibility your watchword

Some employees might prefer a set schedule and the ability to leave work behind when they go home at night. Others may be more productive if they’re working from home a few days per week or even after so-called business hours. This variability argues against in-office or at-home requirements. Instead, give your employees some guidelines and trust them to choose the settings where they will be at their most productive.

You might even follow the lead of the more than 70 U.K. companies that are experimenting with a four-day workweek. When asked how the pilot program was going, 35 of the 41 survey respondents said their company would “likely” or “very likely” continue the policy past the trial stage. And why not? All but two of the companies had found that productivity had either stayed the same or gotten better. In fact, six of them reported that it had improved significantly.

Protect their time

An inexpensive — even cost-saving — way to improve employee productivity and happiness is to eliminate superfluous meetings and check-ins. Unnecessary meetings eat up valuable time and energy across the company. Instead of using recurring meetings to check on the status of a project, use project management software to stay up-to-date in real time instead.

Some meetings are necessary, but you can undoubtedly make them shorter and more efficient. Invite only those people whose input is necessary to make decisions. Others who simply need to be informed can be updated via email or other channels. Develop and pre-circulate a meeting agenda, and when meeting time arrives, be sure to stick to it.

Employee happiness is an investment work

Although you may need to shell out some money to keep your employees happy, it will be well worth it in the long run. When you show employees that you care about their happiness, you’re building a bond of trust and loyalty. Not only does this lead to a happier and more productive workplace, but it also helps save money by retaining employees and avoiding the costs of hiring someone new.

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February 24, 2023

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Remote Work Digest: February 24, 2023

The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.

10 Tips For Achieving A Better Work-Life Balance | YEC Council Post, Forbes.com

Work-life balance refers to the ratio between the time an individual spends on their job and the time and energy they spend on other aspects of their life, such as their family, friends and hobbies. It is the concept of balancing work demands with the needs and wants of one’s personal life to achieve a sense of well-being and satisfaction. Many people see it as essential to their overall well-being and happiness.

Here are some thoughts on how to find a better balance in your life:

Setting clear boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time and all aspects of your life. Yes, this can help prevent work from dominating your life and encroaching on personal time.
Prioritizing: Prioritizing important tasks and activities can help you ensure that the most important things are taken care of first, which leaves for other activities.
Mastering tie management: Effective time management can help you ensure that you complete your work and personal tasks promptly, which can leave you more time for other activities.
Staying flexible: A flexible work arrangement, such as telecommuting or a flexible work schedule, can help you balance work and personal responsibilities.
Delegating: Delegation is an undervalued skill. It is a learned skill, and when you understand it, it can make a massive difference in your performance and life. Delegating tasks to others can reduce your workload and save time for other activities.
Taking breaks: Regular breaks throughout the day can help refresh you.
Setting realistic goals: Goals should be stretches for you, but if you are setting unrealistic goals, it can be demotivating and eat into other aspects of your life.
Staying organized: Staying organized can help you ensure that you complete your work and personal tasks efficiently, which leaves more time for other activities.
Engaging in activities you enjoy: Doing things you enjoy that bring you joy can help you balance the stress of work and life.
Practicing self-care: When writing down their priorities in life, people should remember to add themselves to the list. I find that regularly practicing self-care activities such as exercise, meditation or reading can help me reduce stress and improve my overall well-being.

These are just ideas and tools to help you find balance. Remember that balance is going to look very different for every person. Honestly, balance will look different to you at different times in your life. What is important is to regularly assess your priorities and goals and make sure you are finding time for everything that is important to you.

8 Tips to Avoid Remote Work from Home Scams | Jack Turner, Tech.co

Remote work scams are big business for scammers. They prey on vulnerable victims who get suckered in with promises of their dream job and sky-high salaries, only to be left jobless and potentially losing huge sums of cash too. Follow our advice to dodge the fakers and stay safe.

Avoid jobs with ‘fees’

It’s a common scam technique to try and squeeze some money out of the victim by claiming that there are some costs involved before they are allowed to start their new role.

Insist on speaking with the employer

A lot of scams thrive on email/text only communication. It’s a lot easier to convince someone of a scam if you’ve got time to think your answers through. It’s a lot harder to pull this off on a phone or video call.

Research the employer

Google makes it very easy to find information about a company, so see what you can find out online about the firm. Ask your contact for a physical company office address, and double check this too.

Look out for unnecessary pressure

It’s a textbook scammer’s trick to try and get the victim to respond as quickly as possible. When we’re flustered, our decision making suffers, and we don’t take the time to fully evaluate the situation.

Be suspicious of large salaries

Let’s be honest, we’d all love a big fat pay check at the end of the month, but if a job is offering a lot more than you’d usually expect, don’t let the cash cloud your judgement. Scammers will always make fake job offers look as tempting as possible, including promising you big bucks.

Don’t give personal details too soon

While scammers love to get hold of cold, hard cash, personal information can be just as valuable. With this, fraudsters are able to steal your identity, access bank accounts, and more.

Be wary of unsolicited job offers

While it may be flattering to be contacted out of the blue with a job offer, take a step back and ask if the offer looks legitimate. Scammers will often approach victims blind and offer an incredible sounding job with a sweet salary to boot, but realistically, no company makes contact with a job offer straight away.

Carefully check any written communication

If you’re in email contact with a potential employer, there are several easy steps you can take to weed out the fakers. Firstly, check the spelling and grammar. It’s an age old tell for scams, but usually they’ll give themselves away with poor English. Also, check the domain in the email address. If Bill Gates is offering you a job at Microsoft, but his email address is [email protected], that’s a red flag.

How to Find a Legitimate Work from Home Job

There are more remote jobs than ever before right now, and even though some large companies, such as Amazon and Twitter are grabbing headlines for clamping down on remote work, there are still many, many companies with generous work from home policies. Some may allow you to work from home full time, while others may ask you to come into the office a certain number of days a week.

Research companies with solid WFH policies

Companies are very open about whether or not they’ll allow staff to work from home. The last thing any company wants is to go through the recruitment process, only for the candidate to baulk at the idea of coming into the office and reject a job offer. You can make a start by checking our guide to companies that let you work remotely.

Make sure your field is open to remote work

There are many jobs today that lend themselves to working from home, but some common ones are customer support, programming, copywriter, graphic designer, bookkeeper and more. As you can see, there’s a huge array of the sort of roles that people can do at home these days. If your chosen career isn’t remote-work friendly, and you’re dead set on ditching the commute, it may be time to retrain.

Ask your current employer if you can work from home

Many companies are more open than ever to having staff work remotely, and no firm is going to chance losing a valuable team member over such a request. It may be a slow process, and you’re likely to have to start slowly with a trial at first, to see if it works for both you and your employer, but you could keep the job you have, without the travel.

Is Remote Work Safe?

Scammers are opportunists by nature, and will latch onto any emerging trend in an attempt to try and immorally extract money or information from victims, but despite this, remote work is a legitimate area of employment that is only going to grow and grow. In some fields, it has even become more common to work from home rather than head to the office, with the tech industry leading the way.

As long as you’re vigilant when applying for remote jobs, and watch out the for the warnings signs we’ve covered here, you can land yourself a legitimate remote working role, and hang up your commuting coat.

7 Tips to Reduce Smartphone Use in Bed and Improve Sleep Hygiene | Lando Loic, Makeuseof.com

Getting quality sleep is vital to your overall well-being, but, chances are, you find it hard to resist the urge to indulge in one last scroll or check in with your notifications before bedtime. This often leads to long late-night browsing sessions, sleep deprivation, and tiredness throughout the day.

Try these tips to help you break this habit and improve your sleep hygiene.

Implement a “No Phone in Bed” Rule

There are two main reasons why you should avoid using your phone before sleeping. Firstly, your smartphone and other electronic devices emit blue light that can affect your productivity and sleep cycle by suppressing melatonin production, which is responsible for helping you fall asleep. Secondly, your smartphone contains an endless stream of content, which can lead to overstimulation and distraction that keeps you up at night instead of helping you fall asleep.

Set Up a Sleep Focus or Bedtime Mode

One of the best ways to improve your sleep hygiene is to ensure you stick to a consistent sleep schedule. This means going to bed and aiming to wake up at the same time every day, including on weekends. This allows your body to adjust naturally to a specific sleep routine, making it easier for you to fall asleep at a set time and enjoy enough quality sleep throughout the night.

Use Night Shift or Blue Light Filter and Dark mode

As mentioned above, one of the main reasons you should avoid using your smartphone or other light-emitting devices close to or during your bedtime is because the blue light emitted from their screens negatively impacts your sleep cycle.

Use Sleep Apps

There’s a range of third-party sleep apps you can choose from to improve your sleep hygiene. You can download a free app called Insight Timer to listen to relaxing music that can help you wind down before bedtime. Do you prefer bedtime tales? There’s a wide selection of sleep stories available to help you sleep faster.

Avoid Checking Emails During Your Bedtime

While this sounds like a productive habit—after all, it’s generally acceptable to prepare for the next day before sleeping—it can quickly turn into long late-night work sessions. Besides, checking emails during bedtime can be mentally stimulating and keep you awake instead of helping you sleep, leading to grogginess and lack of energy during the following day.

Try Relaxing Bedtime Activities That Don’t Involve Screens

Considering that blue-light-free environments can help you fall asleep faster and sleep better, it’s a good idea to limit your screen time and try activities that don’t involve screens, such as reading a book, writing in a physical journal, or meditating. These activities can help you drift off to sleep quickly and wake up feeling energized.

Use an Analog Alarm Clock

Using an alarm clock will help you avoid the temptation of indulging in late-night activities on your phone so that you can wake up feeling refreshed and alert.

In addition, if you tend to wake up in the middle of the night and check your smartphone, an analog alarm clock will help you avoid this habit. Lastly, you won’t be tempted to start your morning by browsing endless Twitter rants or mindlessly scrolling through Instagram. This allows you to start your day more proactively and get the most out of it.

Get Enough Quality Sleep by Reducing Your Smartphone Usage During Bedtime

Although smartphones and other blue-light-emitting devices have become integral to many parts of life, they can keep you from getting a good night’s rest. This is why it is essential to limit your smartphone usage during bedtime (or choose your bedtime apps wisely) to improve your sleep hygiene and productivity throughout the day.

Watch Out for These 4 Remote Work Mistakes in 2023 | Ashley Maready, Nasdaq.com

Despite increasing desperation from some employers who are determined to get staff back into fluorescent-lit cubicles and neckties, many Americans like remote work. It’s a time-saver and can make achieving work-life balance easier.

If you’re ready to find a remote job, it’s important to realize that it’s not all pet snuggles and getting to use your own bathroom during the work day. You could also fall prey to the following mistakes in the course of working from home, even as you pad your checking account.

Not communicating effectively

It’s important to keep on top of any digital communications coming in and respond to them promptly. If you tend to submerge yourself in work, try setting aside a few minutes once per hour to check and reply to messages.

Getting distracted easily

We’ve all had one of those days where you just can’t focus on the task at hand, and working from home has the ability to magnify this feeling. You might hear the siren song of that basket of laundry that needs folding, or a pet who absolutely cannot be deterred from climbing in your lap. But if you’re expected to be actively engaged in your work during certain hours of the day, do your best to stay focused.

Working too much

If you have workaholic tendencies, being able to do your job from anywhere at any time can definitely exacerbate them. While on its face, this may not seem like a bad thing (especially if your role pays hourly or per task rather than a set salary), if you overwork, you could find yourself facing burnout.

Relying on old technology

While it may be tempting to work on the same old laptop you’ve used for years to save money, consider upgrading your technology to find more success with remote work. A newer machine with a faster processor and better webcam will make it easier to work and stay in touch with your colleagues via video calls. Try buying a refurbished computer to get the most bang for your buck. And remember, you can write off work expenses on your freelance or small business taxes.

If you’re ready to embrace that remote work lifestyle, take care to ensure that you can maintain communication with your colleagues, avoid distractions and overworking, and source equipment that will help you do your job better. If you can overcome these challenges, you may just find that working remotely is great for your mental health, career, and personal finances.

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January 24, 2023

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Remote Work Digest: January 24, 2023

The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.

How to Get Ahead in Your Career While Working From Home | Sean Mitchell, Makeuseof.com

Even if you love your job, there are several reasons you might want to advance your career: you want increased financial security, you’re motivated to take on more challenges, you want to make a greater impact in whatever field you’ve chosen, or you enjoy the recognition and respect that comes with professional advancement. Maybe all of the above.

Here are several ways to advance your career in a remote world.

1.Network via LinkedIn

According to a survey from LinkedIn, 85% of all jobs are filled via networking. While this may differ between industries, it suggests that networking activities, including setting up informational interviews (one of the overlooked steps in finding a new job), can be a great way to advance your career remotely. Before reaching out to people on LinkedIn, ensure your profile accurately represents your professional brand (consider these tips to create a strong profile).

2. Sign Up With Online Recruiter

As a job seeker, online recruiters can do a lot of the heavy lifting for you. For instance, by signing up with an online recruiter like ZipRecruiter, you can not only apply for jobs from anywhere, but these services use algorithms and artificial intelligence to match you with job openings based on your skills and experience.

3. “Professionalize” Yourself Daily

There are several ways to stand out while working remotely. This includes everything from completing projects on time to attending company-sponsored events. If you expect to advance your career while working from home, you’ll need to make connections virtually, which means you’ll need to present the best version of yourself possible.

Don’t forget, your background matters. While there are some great backgrounds you can use for virtual meetings, avoid a digital background if you can, since real-time masking isn’t perfect. Consider positioning yourself in front of a bookshelf, some plants, or other items that aren’t too distracting.

4. Keep a Positive Attitude

Career-building efforts can be discouraging. They often require an inordinate amount of time, and the rewards can be difficult to see when progress is slow. For that reason, it’s important to practice self-care and not be too hard on yourself.

5. Upskill Using Online Resources

One of the best things you can do for your career is to build more skills. This is true if you’re young and just entering the job market, or if you’ve got a lot of experience but need to stay up to date with the latest industry trends and technologies.

Upskilling demonstrates to employers that you’re committed to professional development, and you have a desire to continuously learn and grow.

The upshot is that by completing online courses or certificates, you learn things that can help you do your job better, increase your chances of being eligible for a wider range of roles, and boost your confidence, which is a great quality to build when you’re in the process of upgrading your career.

Advancing Your Career While Working From Home

Working from home has many potential benefits, and the best part will depend on an individual’s circumstances and preferences. However, if you plan on advancing your career as a remote worker, you’ll have to take steps to ensure you reach your maximum potential.

Where Should You Have Meetings If You Work From Home? | Sarah Vulpio, Glam.com

The ability to work from home seems like the ultimate setup, but then the time comes when you have to take a meeting. If you have kids or pets or live in a generally busy area, the odds of finding a quiet place to sit down for a video call are slim. Then there’s the issue of choosing an appropriate background, as you don’t want your boss and or fellow employees to see your messy home or family photos posted on the wall behind you. In order to keep the meeting professional, it’s important to designate a specific area when you work from home.

Don’t even think about staying in bed

Whatever you do, do not — we repeat, do not — take meetings from your bed. In fact, it’s unwise to do anything related to work from there, even checking your email. Not only does it look super unprofessional, but by staying in bed, you’re also way less motivated and much more likely to doze off. Additionally, taking meetings from the comfort of your mattress could ruin your sleep schedule, as your brain begins to equate lying in bed with working. It can affect even your posture, as your back isn’t receiving the proper support.

Create a home office space

The key to having a successful meeting while working from home is creating an office space free from distractions. Don’t worry if you don’t have a spare room to designate as an office; all you need is a spot in your apartment where you won’t be easily distracted. This space can help you focus better while working from home. Ideally, your background should be free from anything that would take the focus off of the meeting as well. It’s also crucial you find a spot that doesn’t throw off your work-life balance. This is any space you don’t want to associate with writing emails and sitting in meetings, such as the bedroom.

There are actually several benefits that come with keeping a separation between your work life and personal life. When you have a strong work-life balance, productivity rates generally increase, you’re less likely to call off, and, not to mention, it drastically enhances both your mental and physical health. It’s a win-win if you ask us.

5 Reasons to Fully Embrace Remote Work in 2023 | Carrie McKeegan, Inc.com

While some of the world’s most well-known companies have recently begun to require their employees to return to the office, that doesn’t mean it’s time for your work-from-home team to throw in the towel. In fact, there are several compelling reasons why your team should go all-in on remote work in 2023.

1.Win the war for talent

With more employees looking for flexible work arrangements, offering remote work options can help your business stand out from the competition and attract the best candidates. Remote work also allows you to hire in any locale, scouting the best talent from around the country or even the globe.

2. Build a diverse workforce

By removing geographical limitations, remote work allows your business to tap into a naturally varied, global talent pool. The resulting diversity brings a wider range of perspectives and ideas to your team that boosts innovation and accelerates problem-solving. This can be especially beneficial for companies that operate in niche industries.

3. Make employers happier

Remote work can lead to increased job satisfaction and employee retention. Without the distractions of a traditional office environment, remote workers are often able to better balance their work and personal lives, which can lead to happier, more engaged employees.

4. Cut costs

Remote work saves your business money in the short and long term. With remote employees, you don’t have to worry about the costs associated with maintaining office space. While hybrid work models help with cost reduction, the biggest savings come when companies eliminate rent, utilities, and office supplies entirely.

5. Adapt to hit goals

When done right, remote work requires teams and their leaders to focus on results. With their eyes on the prize, remote teams become more agile. They quickly adapt to new opportunities and challenges and respond to changing market conditions to hit strategic goals. This flexibility can be especially beneficial for businesses that operate in fast-paced, rapidly changing industries.

Despite its numerous advantages, it’s important to keep in mind that remote work isn’t for all teams. Leaders will need to decide what’s best for their businesses. However, if remote work is a fit for your team, committing to the strategy fully can help you take advantage of its many benefits. From the ability to win the war for talent and build a diverse workforce to making employees happier and cutting costs, remote work can be a powerful tool for achieving long-term success.

8 Ways To Refresh Your Work-From-Home Space for the New Year | Sarah Lyon, Theeverygirl.com

In the spirit of a January refresh, we’ve rounded up eight tips from the pros to help make your WFH space shine in 2023. With these home office ideas, we’re betting you’ll feel a little more excited to sit down and tackle everything on your to-do list this year.

Switch Up Your WFH Location

Maybe you’re in need of a change of scenery after literal years of working from the same spot. “Find an area with a beautiful view, great light, or terrific furniture,” advised professional organizer Heidi Solomon of POSH Boston. “Really think about what energizes you,” she added. “Create a space that makes your heart sing. You, and subsequently your work, will benefit.” Consider moving your desk from the bedroom into the living room or switching around your furniture arrangement to give your workspace some fresh perspective.

Make Use of Closed Storage

It’s time to stop letting your desk serve as a dropzone for clutter. So how do you ensure that your desktop doesn’t become overwhelmed with supplies? “Make use of available closet space or cabinet storage for non-essentials that shouldn’t be cluttering your workspace,” suggested Jen Van Buskirk of The Neat Boutique.

File Papers Like a Pro

Yes, you can file papers neatly without investing in a clunky filing cabinet. Although plenty of paperwork and projects are handled digitally these days, you’ll likely still want to keep some printed-out documents on hand. “Consider using bins on a bookshelf close to your desk to store active projects in,” Gilgrist advised. “Label a bin with the project name and bring the bin over to your desk when it’s time to work on the project.” Gilgrist also likes using hanging clipboards or letter trays for this purpose.

Have Fun With Color

“Don’t underestimate the importance of plant life and colors that speak to you to complete your space,” Van Buskirk said. Head to the plant store and pick up a new green friend to spruce up your desk. For some color, consider painting an accent wall in a peppy hue that can double as a chic Zoom background.

Grab Some Stylish Supplies

Pick out some office essentials that will get you excited to start the day: new pens, a personalized notebook, or a pretty mouse pad may help do the trick.

Focus on Fragrance

Grab a candle that helps you feel relaxed and energized and keep it on your desk. Lighting it each morning as you start the day will become a soothing ritual. This is something that definitely wouldn’t fly in an actual office building, so be sure to revel in this cozy WFH perk.

Fill a Drawer with Little Pick Me Ups

Maybe you’re tired of running downstairs to grab a granola bar at 3 pm every day or searching your apartment for gum after lunch. Why not dedicate one of your desk drawers to housing these essentials? Fill it with gum or mints, non-perishable snacks, lip balm, lotion, and other items you frequently reach for during the workday. These will really come in handy when busy days roll around!

Evaluate Your Lighting Situation

Remember that good lighting is key when working. If you need to spend some time searching online for a new lamp or pair of curtains, do it! You’ll thank yourself when you no longer have to squint at your screen or turn on an overhead light just to see what you’re working on.

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December 30, 2022

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Remote Work Digest: December 30, 2022

The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.

19 Best Skills To Put on a Resume That Employers Will Love | Entrepreneur Staff, Entrepreneur.com

If you want to ace your next job interview and make your job application stand out from other candidates, you need to put the best details possible on your resume to impress a prospective employer right from the get-go.

But what job skills should you write down? This article will break down 19 of the best skills for a resume that any hiring manager will love.

Soft skills employers love to see

So-called “soft skills” are usually people-focused, generalized or applicable to various industries and situations. Nevertheless, employers like to see plenty of soft skills in their candidates.

Leadership skills

The more leadership skills you can mark down on your resume in the skills section, the more attractive a candidate you will be, even if you aren’t expected to lead anyone soon. This is true even if a job description requests more technical skills.

Leadership skills make you a better choice for potential management positions or promotions in the future. Because many companies hire long-term candidates, not just short-term workers, listing leadership skills can make you stand out relative to your competition in a big way.

Communication skills

Communication skills are also critical. You need to be able to communicate with your fellow team members and workers to get along well at your new company. This might seem like a waste of space to put down, but don’t discount it.

Writing skills

Specific jobs in marketing and communications value writing skills highly, and (an added plus) you can explicitly demonstrate your capabilities in your resume writing. Using polished, engaging and succinct language in your resume will support your inclusion of writing in your list of skills.

Problem-solving experience

General problem-solving skills can also be good to put down on any resume. In most jobs, you’ll need to solve complex problems at one point or another, either because you run into an unexpected situation or because employer policies and procedures don’t cover all possibilities.

Good problem-solving, therefore, is seen as a must-have skill for many organizations and industries. Be sure to put this on your resume no matter the job or industry you apply.

Organizational skills

Organizational skills reflect your ability to handle lots of resources and moving pieces. It’s an important skill to put on your resume when applying for a leadership or management position, but it’s good to put it down regardless just because it shows you are a hard worker and won’t be overwhelmed by many things on your plate.

Time management skills

Time management skills are wise to put on your resume, whether you are applying for an entry-level or management position.

Good time management is a much rarer skill than you may think, particularly in this day and age where there are ample digital distractions in people’s pockets at all times.

Teamwork skills

Solid teamwork skills are must-haves for most positions and workers these days. Being able to work with others is crucial if you are to become a part of any new team, so be sure to note that you have strong teamwork skills regardless of your prior work experiences.

Customer service skills

Good customer service skills are necessary for any industry — especially if you apply to a service industry or entry-level position. Basically, if your job requires you to interact with the general public frequently, you must have good customer service skills.

Marketing skills

It is also wise to put down any marketing skills on your resume. Good marketing skills are highly desirable for specific marketing positions and general employees.

Marketing skills can involve using particular tools or tactics or just understanding how to phrase things to make products seem more appealing to customers.

Hard skills employers seek

Hard skills are technical, specific and usually related to a specific skill or talent instead of being generalized. Here are some of the most in-demand hard skills to consider putting on your resume.

Project management skills

Project management skills are incredibly in demand and closely tied to leadership skills. Many organizations have complex projects they need to be headed by talented individuals.

If you can accurately claim that you have successfully led other projects through your management style, you’ll be well-positioned to take open job positions from other candidates.

Data analysis skills

Data analysis skills are also highly in demand these days and for good reason. Many companies must analyze the data they collect from their customers and clients.

You’ll be a desirable candidate for many industries and companies if you can do this, both generally and with specific programs and equations.

Enterprise resource planning skills

Enterprise resource planning skills, or ESP skills, are good to put on any resume, especially if you’re applying for a closely related position. ERP is crucial for large-scale organizations to not waste valuable equipment, time, people or other resources.

Computer proficiency

Generalized computer proficiency is now expected in a majority of positions. After all, everyone should know how to use computers to a basic degree.

Program proficiency

Program proficiency is any proficiency you can list with a specific program. Don’t be humble or think too little of yourself; even proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 is valuable, particularly when many people don’t know how to use those collected programs to their maximum effectiveness.

Programming language proficiency

The more language proficiencies you can list, the better positioned you’ll be to take a job in the IT or programming and web development industries. It may be wise to research what programming languages are most in demand for a specific position before listing them on your resume.

SEO proficiency

SEO or search engine optimization proficiency is highly valued in many professions, especially social media and marketing managers.

CRM proficiency

Customer relationship management (CRM) software proficiency means you’re proficient in using popular CRM software platforms like Salesforce. This skill is most desirable and essential for marketing and customer relationship positions or fields.

Budgeting experience

If you have experience using budgeting software or running budget teams — mention it, and, as always, be specific about the kinds of tools or software platforms you previously used to get the job done.

Bookkeeping skills

Like the above, if you have bookkeeping skills using programs like FreshBooks, QuickBooks and similar platforms, mention that on your resume.

Web development skills

Specific web development skills, such as using web development tools to outline pages, make frames and place widgets, are vital for many jobs in the IT sector.

Summary

Now you have 19 top skills to put on your resume, provided you have the real-life aptitude to back them up. Remember to tweak the description of each skill based on the job or industry you’re applying for to make them seem as relevant as possible.

6 Essentials Every Busy Office Needs to Have | Tehseen Kiani, Technochops.com

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the essential items every busy office needs to have. We’ll examine the importance of each item and how it can help make the workplace more productive and efficient. So, let’s get started!

High-Efficiency Printers

High-efficiency printers are an essential tool for any busy office. Not only do they help streamline document production, but they also save time and resources by delivering crisp, clean prints quickly and efficiently. High-efficiency printers can also help reduce paper waste and energy costs since they use less ink or toner than traditional printers.

Ergonomic Chairs

Ergonomic chairs are essential for any busy office in order to promote healthy posture and reduce fatigue. These chairs are designed with adjustable features like armrests, height settings, and lumbar support to help you find the most comfortable position for your body.

Ergonomic chairs can also improve concentration and productivity, allowing users to stay focused on their work for extended periods of time. Investing in quality ergonomic chairs is essential for any busy office, as it will ensure employees are feeling their best and working efficiently.

Fast Computer Systems

Having fast and reliable computer systems is essential for any busy office. With the constant need to process data, share documents, manage projects, and communicate with clients, having the right computer systems can make a huge difference in productivity and workflow.

High-Speed Internet

Investing in a reliable and high-speed internet connection is an important part of any successful office setup. It gives employees the resources they need to stay productive, engaged, and successful at their job.

A Break Room

Having a designated break room can be a great way to encourage productivity in the workplace. A well-stocked, comfortable break room can provide employees with the opportunity to take much-needed time away from their desks and recharge for the next task.

Good Lighting

Good lighting is essential for any busy office. Not only does it help employees stay focused and productive, but it can also improve worker safety by ensuring that work areas are well-lit and easily visible.

Good lighting should be evenly distributed throughout the office and adjustable so that workers can adjust their light levels according to how much they need at any given time.

In conclusion, having the right essentials in a busy office can make all the difference when it comes to productivity and morale. Investing in reliable high-speed internet, creating an inviting break room, and installing good lighting are essential components of any successful modern office setup.

How To Achieve Your Goals With Better Time Management | Yourtango.com

Better time management helps to achieve goals faster, with less stress and more sleep. We can say that great time management is key to meeting our goals. It helps us prioritize better and increase productivity. That’s how you can work smarter, not harder.

Here are five handy ways to improve your time management skills so you can achieve your goals much more efficiently.

1.Set S.M.A.R.T. goals

Your goals should be S.M.A.R.T.: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and anchored within a Time Frame.

For instance, if you’re a marketer and want to boost your business online presence, set more defined goals. Examples include increasing explainer video views up to 5% within a week, or getting at least 10 new followers on Instagram per day.

2. Pen down a schedule and deadline

Write down everything you need to accomplish and how long each task should take to complete. This way, it will be much easier for you to see how you should spend your time.

3. Learn your productivity patterns

Finding your own pattern of productivity can help you achieve your goals more efficiently. Use your less-productive hours to tackle easy, quick-to-complete tasks. Meanwhile, you can use your productive hours for more high priority tasks.

4. Avoid multitasking

The truth is that multitasking actually decreases your productivity. It drains your energy and ruins your focus faster.

It’s always better to focus only on a single task at a time and give it full attention so you can avoid any mistakes and increase your quality of work.

5. Use apps

You can also use apps such as time-tracking, project management, and to-do list software to keep you accountable.

With new technology, tools to improve your time management skills are at your fingertips. They also provide you with reports so you can monitor your time management efforts.

Remember that time management is a mental game that everyone can master if they want to. Using your hours to work efficiently for the outcomes you value the most will bring you success and sustain the feeling of fulfillment that comes from accomplishing them.

Do You Work from Home? Here are 6 Ways to Make Sure Your Wi-Fi is Quick | Muhammad Zaher, Theodysseyonline.com

Working from home was a fantasy at some point in time. However, there’s been a recent surge of remote positions you can do from your own home.

Laptops, game consoles, tablets, computers, and directv stream devices all use Wi-Fi technology. This authorizes social media, real-time streaming, Bluetooth, and access to the endless supply of information that makes life easy and convenient. WiFi utilizes radio frequencies, or radio waves, to communicate between devices.

6 Ways to Make Sure Your Wi-Fi is Fast

We’ve rounded up 6 easy and practical steps to get you a faster internet connection. If you’re looking to improve your home Wi-Fi, try some of these tips:

1.Move Your Router

Moving your router can help give your WIFI an incredible boost and make surfing and streaming a smoother, more pleasant experience. Did you know that by simply shifting the location of your router, you can significantly improve your internet speed? Wifi signals travel on waves that can be influenced by the environment around it. By strategically placing your router in an unobstructed area, like a high shelf or corner of your home, you’ll optimize the WIFI signal and maximize speeds.

2. Use an Ethernet Cable

Wired connections like ethernet, are usually faster and more reliable than wireless ones. The cable gets the signal straight to your connected device. It does not need over-the-air transmissions.

Just be cautious not to unplug your cable while you’re using it, as doing so will disconnect you from the internet immediately. Luckily, Ethernet cables are designed so they hardly pull out accidentally. Ethernet cables come in various lengths and colors. Regardless of the brand of cable or device you’re using, both sides come the same.

3. Add a Password

By changing your Wi-Fi password, you can easily eject any unwanted devices or users. That way you must enter your new password before connecting any device to your Wi-Fi. This means undesirable devices and users will be booted out.

4. Use an Ad Blocker

An ad blocker is a program that gives you back control over the types of advertising, tracking and scripts that appear when you browse the web. Not only does it help protect your privacy while browsing, but it also helps free up resources like memory and bandwidth that can drain your internet speeds, making sure your WiFi stays fast at all times. It’s the no-effort way to get the most out of your connection!

5. Upgrade Your Router

One of the best ways to improve your in-home wireless network is by upgrading your router. Routers are the foundation of a reliable and fast WIFI connection, and having an up-to-date model can make a world of difference in terms of performance. Not only will you get higher download and upload speeds, but you can minimize buffering when streaming online content, enjoy faster website load times, and ensure there’s enough bandwidth to go around for everyone who needs it.

6. Get a Different Internet Provider

If you want to speed up your internet connection, you don’t have to endure endless hours of waiting anymore. One solution is to switch to a different internet provider. This may sound intimidating, but believe us when we say it’s really not! With today’s technology and options, it has become easier and easier to switch up providers without incurring high costs or lengthy contracts.

Conclusion

Poor Wi-Fi is one of the most frustrating problems that can occur in a home or office. To combat this, you can take steps to make sure your connection is fast and dependable. From changing your Wi-Fi channels and evaluating your router position, to updating your firmware and investing in better hardware — there are a number of easy ways to ensure that your Wi-Fi is quick and reliable. Don’t let slow speeds stand in the way of your productivity or enjoyment; start optimizing your connection today!

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August 29, 2022

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Remote Work Digest: August 30, 2022

The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.

10 Time Management Tips For A Working Mom | Women Fitness Magazine, Womenfitnessmag.com

Time management is a big concern for working mothers, considering job demands can vary daily, and children’s needs evolve as they grow. Besides, we must manage our growth as we work towards realizing personal ambitions. You may not avoid chaos, but with these life-changing time management tips for a working mom, you can learn to optimize your time both at work and home and live life to the fullest. Without wasting more time, let’s dive right into it.

Use A Planning System

Having a great planner ensures you get what needs to be done at the right time. But this point is only true if you use it. You may be shocked to hear many moms have great systems collecting dust on their smartphones or bookshelves. No shame: many successful moms use notebooks, paper calendars, and journals every day. This list is in addition to digital calendars, spreadsheets, and Google docs they rely on. Use these tools to record what you need to do and be realistic.

Make Lists

As a busy mom, it is easy to forget what you need to do and spend so much mental energy trying to keep track of everything. You can make lists for just about everything.

Get Enough Sleep

When you take care of your kids, you compromise on the healthy eight hours of sleep that your body needs to function properly. The negative effects take a toll on your health when the deprivation continues for a long time. You begin to experience stress, anxiety, and irritability. However. You can adopt an effective routine to catch up on those lost hours of sleep to rejuvenate yourself.

Use Essays for Sale

As a working mom, you probably feel like you have deadlines dropped left, right, and center. Perhaps you have an argumentative essay, a lab report, a discussion post, a dissertation, or a cover letter to write, all due in a few days. How on earth can you do it, attend to your child and still show up for work? Fear not; online essays for sale carry the load for you so you can attend to your family and job by lifting the extra weight off your shoulders.

Learn to Delegate

Whether it is about hiring someone for domestic help or any other kind of work, figure out the tasks that don’t require your attention. It is worth the investment once you take those tasks off your to-do list. Another option is to use online services, such as custom writing services, as much as possible. We understand that it’s tempting to solely cover all household chores to ensure everything is done right and quickly. Break those chores into simple tasks and reward people for doing them.

Maintain Work-Life Boundaries

As a working mom, find a workable strategy of family-friendly work hours with your employer, such as declining work emails or calls after your shift is over. Set a clear boundary between home and personal life.

Automate Everything You Can

Effective time management for working moms entails putting everything you can on an automatic mode. Simplify what you do so you can do it less often. In today’s world, you can do so many things with less time and energy than in the past.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness has proven benefits for your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. It eradicates your stress, decreases chronic pain, controls your blood pressure, enhances sleep, and boosts your heart health. It also enhances your mental health by helping you deal with anxiety, depression, and interpersonal conflicts in a healthy manner. You don’t need to convince yourself why it’s important to maintain good health as a working mom. You need it; and your kids need it.

Let Go of Perfection

The perfection concept doesn’t exist in motherhood. There’s an illusion about a perfect mother. But in reality, no one is perfect at motherhood. Imperfection is part of the adventure. If you get bogged down and frustrated by seeing perfect mothers out and about, it is time to reset your expectations. Muting or unfollowing triggering social media accounts is a great place to start filtering out expectations versus reality.

Multitask for Optimal Time Management

The key is to mix tasks that don’t require too much mental energy with fun tasks that you might not otherwise find time for. Do you like listening to audiobooks while doing chores? Just make sure you have fun while doing your family chores.

Conclusion

Moms, we hope the above tips will help you manage your schedule like you never could. They are easy, effective, and customized for working mothers who selflessly work around the clock to bring up healthy and happy humans. You deserve appreciation and acknowledgement for all that you do. There’s no one like you!

Emerging Trends of Remote Work in 2022 | Foreignpolicyi.org

Remote working is a benefit offered only to a select few, but it is now the standard for most organizations. As Covid rates and regulations relax, it becomes evident that remote employment was more than simply a band-aid solution to a problem.

RemoteHub worldwide today expect to be able to work from anywhere, at any time, for at least part of the workweek.

People empowerment is essential:

While most people think of employee empowerment as something done for a team on-site, it is an even more significant aspect in remote work. It’s ideal for a team distributed across geographical areas because it’s less on a top-down leadership approach. By utilizing HR to supply what remote workers require, the firm uses a department historically tasked with supporting the workforce and provides them with additional tools to do so.

Opportunities for Remote Networking:

Professionals may now network across countries and throughout the world thanks to remote work. Working from home has reduced the first discomfort of interacting with someone. Working from home also makes networking simpler since you can interact with experts you would not have encountered if you worked on-site or in the office.

Without intervention, DE & I scores will deteriorate:

According to research, people in remote jobs or on a hybrid schedule perform at the same level as in the office. On the other hand, managers feel that employees who work from the office perform better and are more likely to be promoted than those who work from home. This erroneous impression is perpetuated by high-profile leaders publicly declaring that hybrid and remote workers underperform.

Cybersecurity grabs the spotlight:

Remote security is much more vital since online work-related infractions cost an additional $1.07 million. Cybersecurity providers will advertise more remote work solutions in 2022 to address this issue. Similarly, corporations increase spending on endpoint security solutions and zero-trust cloud infrastructures.

Boosts productivity:

Fewer interruptions get attributed to increased productivity by 68 percent of people on average. Think again if you believed working from home would lead to additional distractions. It appears that the contrary is true. When asked why they were more productive, 68 percent of respondents in a recent poll said it was because they had fewer interruptions.

Virtual Interviews Are Increasingly Popular:

Companies have started employing virtual technology to conduct job interviews since the outbreak began. A recent poll found that 86% of employers had resorted to virtual hiring because of pandemic issues. However, the transition to virtual recruiting and interviewing does not appear to be a disincentive. Indeed, many CEOs are said to be pleased with the remote recruiting procedure. Some have even maintained the success level of pre-pandemic interviews.

Working from home versus higher salary:

Employees have such a strong affinity for working from home that 71% of employees polled in the Everywhere Workplace research stated they would choose remote work over Telecommuting. According to the report, avoiding traveling time, a better work-life balance, and lower expenditures are the top reasons employees identify remote work, even if it means passing up a promotion or higher pay.

More liberty at work:

Employees seek more freedom while employers struggle to develop procedures for remote work. After experiencing the benefits of a location-independent lifestyle, many people do not want to return to the workplace, at least not in the typical 9-to-5 paradigm.

Employee Benefits Reevaluation:

To weather the volatile era of The Big Resignation, firms’ Employee Value Proposition will change to more comprehensive benefits focusing on what is vital for their employees in 2022. There’s a lot to enjoy about a coffee maker at your workplace, from employee mental health programs to save on significant supplies to amusing onboarding packages to give your new arrivals wherever they are.

Getting ready for post-pandemic office work:

Over time businesses in all geographies and industries can continue to benefit from remote workforce trends; however, you must also be prepared to do some office work in the post-pandemic period. According to a few research, some employees anticipate returning to typical office work following the epidemic. Choosing a significantly smaller office space to accommodate certain employees can be highly cost-effective and beneficial to firms in this situation.

8 Best Freelance Websites for Online Work (2022) | Harsh Sharma, Techdator.net

Several sites offer a platform to connect freelancers with their clients. We have prepared a list of some of the best freelancing websites on the internet. If you are also a novice independent professional and want to try your luck in freelancing, refer to these freelancing websites.

1.Upwork

It is one of the most widely preferred freelancing websites for independent workers. Numerous works are posted on the site to make it easy for freelancers to get something. The site has posts from both big and small companies.

2. Fiverr

This is another fantastic site to get quick freelancing work. The site offers lots of features to its users. For example, you can set your starting price, packages, and add-ons on the site. You can also offer sample work for reference.

3. Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com is one of the oldest sites for getting contractual workers online. The site is arguably the first to introduce online freelancing to the world. Freelancer.com has works for web designers, social media experts, marketing specialists, etc. In addition, it conducts several programs for the welfare of its users.

4. Toptal

It is an employee-specific site that helps small businesses get their hands into top freelance specialists worldwide. Toptal helps you to get your work done dexterously on a low budget. You don’t have to worry about the quality of the work as freelancers working here are screened regularly.

5. Designhill

This unique freelancing site incorporates several creative ways to allot work to freelancers. For instance, one can conduct a contest to scout the best employee they need. Employers can also get an overview of the work they will be doing.

6. Behance

It is another freelance website that has worked in several fields to offer its users. Some of its work categories include animation, web development, content creation, etc. Behance asks its freelancers to submit a copy of their work as a Portfolio.

7. Linkedin

LinkedIn is a multi-purpose website for any type of job online. A LinkedIn user’s main focus must be building networks rather than directly jumping into searching for jobs. Later, you can send your portfolios to potential clients to get referrals and work.

8. Guru

Many freelancers have a common problem with their work: they get cheated several times by fraud clients. Guru will be a perfect site to safeguard your interest if you are among them. the site is skeptical about the payment process of the users.

18 essential tips for working at home | Amy McCarthy, Yardbaker.com

Whether you’ve only been working from home for the past couple of years or are a longtime remote worker, pretty much everyone could stand to make some improvements to their work-from-home set-up.

Set working hours and stick to them

Establish your working hours and stick to them, or you’ll end up working far longer hours than you should.

…and turn off your notifications when you’re not working

Turn off notifications for email and chat apps on your phone, and make sure that folks on your team know who they can contact in an emergency outside of your established working hours.

Consider putting on real pants

For many people, getting into the habit of getting up and getting dressed for the day makes it easier to get the job done.

Make sure your team knows your working hours and availability

If you’re trying to avoid off-hours pings, keep your calendar updated so that everyone you work with knows when you’re going to be around.

Go for daily walks

Make it a priority to take a short walk, even just 15 minutes a day is helpful, in the outdoors to get your blood flowing and take a quick break away from work.

Create a comfortable workspace

If you’re stuck at the kitchen table, invest in equipment like laptop risers and a supportive chair to make your workspace a little cozier. Decorative elements and plants are also an excellent touch.

Invest in the right equipment for your job

If you’re going to be working at home long-term, it’s essential that you obtain good-quality equipment needed to do your job.

…and a really comfortable chair

It’s worth investing in the best chair you can afford if only to prevent you from having terrible back pain after sitting in one of your kitchen chairs for hours. Pro-tip: secondhand shops and sites like Facebook marketplace are often replete with good-quality used office chairs that can be purchased for a fraction of the cost of retail.

Consider an adjustable standing desk

Health experts generally agree that sitting all day isn’t great for the body, and a new generation of adjustable standing desks makes it easy to get a little more standing time into your day.

Take a real lunch break

So many people eat lunch at their desks, and that’s one of those little things that add up to total burnout over time. Take 30 minutes — or an hour, if you’re able — each day for an actual lunch that isn’t eaten in front of your laptop.

Invest in noise-cancelling headphones to cut out distractions

Whether it’s a noisy neighbor or your spouse who is also working from home, cutting out distractions can be tough. Noise-canceling headphones can be a huge help, even if you don’t use them to play music.

Don’t work in bed

As tempting as it might be to take emails from bed in the morning, don’t do it. It’s a good way to end up with sore muscles that may interfere with your sleep.

Set limits on social media scrolling

Everyone gets distracted on social media at work, but when you’re at home and there’s no boss looking over your shoulder, it’s easy to get lost browsing comment threads for hours. Consider using an app like StayFocusd to limit your time on websites like Facebook and Instagram, and keep your phone out of reach unless you absolutely need it.

Use a planner or productivity software to stay organized

Self-directed work is a challenge for even the most organized folks, which is why there are tons of organizational tools that exist to solve that problem.

Take breaks

Most office workers get to take breaks, but work-from-home folks often forget that they’re entitled to step away from the keyboard from time to time. Pencil a 15-minute break into your calendar in the morning and afternoon and use that time to go for a walk, zone out, or enjoy a snack before getting back to work.

Keep your workspace clutter-free

If your workspace is cluttered and messy, you might feel like it’s tough to get things done. At the end of each day, take a few minutes to clean up your desk and organize your stuff for an easy start the next morning.

Work outside occasionally for a change of pace

Bored of working in your office? Switch it up! Head to a park if the weather is nice, or take advantage of the free WiFi at a nearby coffee shop for a few hours to get a nice change of pace.

Listen to music you love

As long as you’re not on client calls or Zoom meetings, play your favorite tunes to energize you in the morning, or consider lo-fi beats for those times when you really need to concentrate.

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Remote Work Digest: July 28, 2022

The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.

5 Meeting Hacks To Boost Productivity | Vincent Tricarico, Entrepreneur.com

A 2019 report found that professionals spend two hours a week in meetings they believe are pointless, equating to a waste of over $541 billion in employee time. On top of that, almost 40% of professionals believe unnecessary meetings are the highest cost to their organization. That’s not to mention that many meetings are often severely structured, poorly timed and ineffectively run.

But productive meetings are crucial for businesses. Meetings should be where real work gets done that delivers a tangible result — such as a plan, a decision or a collective understanding of the work ahead.

Here are five tips for business leaders to run a productive meeting.

1.You’ve determined that you need a meeting, so what makes it effective?

Encourage participation and ask lots of questions. Each person in a meeting should participate in some way and be challenged to bring something of value to the discussion.

Pay attention to the folks who are not engaging. They could be communicating about their job satisfaction and whether they are even the right person for their position.

2. Have an agenda

An agenda is a critical yet often overlooked component of a successful meeting. Ideally, a recurring meeting has the same agenda to keep efficiency moving forward. You want the pre-work required for a meeting sent out ahead of time to give everyone a chance to review it before the meeting.

3. Start on time, end on time

Starting and ending on time is crucial to your team because it keeps everyone’s day on track. Plus, being mindful of start and stop times is a way to show your attendees that you respect and value their time. Starting and ending meetings at the designated time is crucial to communicating your care for your employees.

4. Equip the right people with the proper purpose at the right time

The time of day for your meeting depends on your team. A strong business leader knows how their team operates and when they function at their best. For example, I have found that the last week of each month is not a very good time to engage in brainstorming sessions because my employees are trying to hit month-end numbers.

5. Have a plan of action, accountability and deadlines

A meeting is not effective without action items and accountability. The meeting leader is responsible for assigning a diligent notetaker and holding the meeting participants accountable for the discussion’s action items and next steps.

If action items aren’t completed in a specific time, the leader has the right to question why and provide additional direction to complete it.

Companies and leaders that consistently do this will have productive meetings. Meetings at a set time and with a proper plan of action are crucial to communicating care to your employees and ensuring long-term productivity in your company.

Working From Home? 11 Tips On Maintaining Good Posture | Manya Singh, Ndtv.com

Working from home has become a common norm since the covid-19 pandemic. Working from home has many upsides. Unlike sitting at a desk and chair for long hours, one has the liberty to change positions. Sitting in one spot can affect our blood circulation and might even fasten ageing.

11 things to keep in mind if you want to improve posture while working from home:

1. Avoid the bed and sofa

Working from the bed or your sofa can seem like one of the benefits of working from home but that is incorrect. A not firm sitting area can poorly affect your posture.

2. Sit in a chair

A chair encourages a better sitting position. Sitting in a chair helps you sit upright. Sitting in a C position affects your posture and may even cause ankylosing spondylitis or other chronic diseases.

3. Use support if needed

If sitting upright in a chair seems difficult and you end up slouching, try using support. Adding a small cushion or folded towel behind your lower back can help improve your posture.

4. Stand & walk

Sitting for long hours, even at a comfortable desk is bad for you. Sitting for long hours as discussed, restricts proper blood circulation in the body. Try walking around the room once every hour.

5. Use reminders

This might seem extensive. However, bad posture can be extremely unhealthy and damaging to your body and health. Try keeping reminders for each other to help you check your posture.

6. Try stretching

Stretching is another great way to boost blood circulation and [promote better posture, both of which might be affected by sitting for long hours.

7. Use your eyes not your neck

This is another great way to avoid slouching. Instead of bending your neck down when needed, try to only use your eyes. This can also help reduce neck pain which is another common symptom of bad posture.

8. Drink more water

Drinking water throughout the day would take you to use the washroom more often. The need to use the washroom is one of the easiest and most unavoidable ways to ensure you get up and walk periodically.

9. Watch your legs

One of the main reasons you may be slouching can be the position of your legs. Floating legs result in slouching. Make sure you can rest your legs at a 90 degrees angle from your work chair.

10. Keep your computer at eye-level

Another reason for slouching is having to look down when working on your laptop. Make sure your computer or laptop rests at the same level as your eyes to avoid having to slouch when working on the screen.

11. Sit closer to the table

Sitting closer to the table does not mean closer to your screen. You are advised to pull your chair as close to your table as you can. However, push your laptop further away to avoid eye strain.

In conclusion, small changes in your home-work space can signify antsy improve your posture and long-term health. Bad posture from wrong sitting positions has been proven to cause long-term irreversible damage to our bodies and must not be ignored.

5 Effective Websites That Are Perfect For Your Startup | Omar Yousry, Scoopempire.com

Fiverr

With a wide selection of freelancers to choose from, employers can find the one that works best for them based on the presented price and experience portfolio to get the best quality on a project-based agreement.

Payment is usually done ahead of time; however, the money doesn’t go through to the freelancer until the project ends and both parties have settled the transactions between them.

What Makes It Unique: A very large pool size, well known all over the world, and a ridiculously large number of fields to choose from.

Biggest Challenge: There might be scammers among the freelancers, make sure the person you select is trustworthy by checking their portfolio and reviews.

Upwork

Employers looking for freelancers can find them showing their average hourly rate, total earnings on the website, and job success rate making the process much easier. These differences are the most fundamental changes from Fiverr, though. Because in Fiverr, you pay for the project overall at an agreed price; however, on Upwork, things work differently.

On Upwork, employers can choose if the work they have is a one-time thing or an ongoing project, they can also pick how long they want to hire the freelancer for, ranging from less than a month up to six, and finally, they can select a freelancer based on the level of experience they need.

When it comes to payment, employers can also choose if they want to stick to an hourly rate or offer a fixed price, and after they’ve picked all these parameters, the freelancers willing to accept the employer’s offer can propose their services.

What Makes It Unique: Hosts a higher caliber of freelancers, which can be attractive to employers.

Challenges Employers Might Face: Needs a bigger budget.

Guru

Guru is another popular choice when it comes to looking for freelancers over the internet, as the website offers simple solutions and processes, including a filtration system where potential employers can find freelancers from certain countries if they want to.

Employers who have projects can look at the fields they need freelancers in, evaluate the quotes, review their portfolios and form a better idea of who to hire. After that, employers can contact the freelancer and finalize the details, such as the scope of work and the overall costs.

The website also helps by offering a way to hire more than one freelancer at once, where the employers can assign roles, manage the team, and keep track of their progress.

What Makes It Unique: Interesting team hiring system that makes a crew of experts easy to find.

Challenges Employers Might Face: Things can be muddled down and the pool of freelancers isn’t as large as the rest.

Freelancer

Freelancer shows candidates’ cost per hour, rate of jobs completed, reviews, number of times they’ve been rehired, punctuality with their work, a short bio, and a portfolio to get a better idea about their capabilities and work ethic. The website also shows verifications about the freelancer to calm employers’ minds and ensure that they wouldn’t get scammed, such as their email, identity, Facebook account, and mobile number.

All employers need to do is set the parameters of the project and receive bids from freelancers who are interested in performing the project. There’s also a live chat service available, where after the employer chooses the freelancer they’re working with, they can chat in real-time to get the job done correctly.

What Makes It Unique: Has a good interface, and finding freelancers for a project is simple and easy.

Challenges Employers Might Face: The number of fields that freelancers specialize in is a bit limited.

People Per Hour

People Per Hour has a total of nine main fields, including technology, design, writing, business, audio, social media, visuals editing, digital marketing, and marketing, each of which has subcategories, diversifying their freelancers’ pool.

The website has a couple of different ways employers can find the best freelancers for their work. Employers can either post a project providing details about what they want to be done on it, and the website will match the best freelancers for it; freelancers at this point will offer their proposals, and employers can make their selection.

What Makes It Unique: Employers can find a match for their projects easily thanks to the website’s AI system.

Challenges Employers Might Face: Even though the nine fields the website focuses on will have what most employers need, it’s still limiting if they’re looking for something specific.

3 Rules That Will Help You Be Even More Productive Working Remotely Than You Ever Were in the Office | Jason Aten, Inc.com

With an intentional effort, working remotely can help you be more productive, give you more control over how and where you work, and give you flexibility in your schedule. With that in mind, here are the three rules that can make working remotely even more productive than working in the office.

1.Have a Place to Land

One of the biggest benefits of working remotely is that you aren’t tied to a desk. You can work from, well, anywhere. That’s great when you need a change of scenery to inspire you — or if you just need to get away from all the distractions.

Of course, as great as that flexibility can be, if you’re going to work from home on a regular basis, you can’t always be bouncing between the couch or the kitchen table.

Even if you enjoy working in different environments, you need a place to land — away from the distractions of life.

2. Shut the Door

When you go into your office and shut the door, it signals to everyone (including yourself) that you’re working. That helps you focus on what you need to do without the many distractions that come from looking out into another room, where your kids might be watching Disney+.

It also signals to the people who might also be home with you that it’s not the best time to demand your attention. It’s not that you don’t love them. But if your door is open, there’s a good chance they’ll walk in and talk to you, or ask you to come and play. Those aren’t bad things, but there’s a time for everything. On the other hand, if they see the door is closed, it lets them know that you need some distraction-free time, but will be excited to play later.

3. Keep a Schedule

Finally, if you’re going to ask the people in your life not to interrupt you or distract you while you’re working, you owe it to them to have a schedule and keep it. At the end of the day, as much as possible, walk away from the work and engage with your family, your friends, or your pets — anything but work.

To help, I recommend you plan when to quit. At the beginning of the day, set out what it is you have to do, when you plan to do it, and when you plan to stop. I make a plan that no matter what is left on the to-do list, I’m going to stop working at a specific time each day.

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Remote Work Digest: June 28, 2022

The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.

7 Unique and Niche Job Boards to Find the Perfect Workplace for You | Mihir Patkar, Makeuseof.com

Recently, there has been a rise in niche job boards that list select jobs from companies with specific purposes or work cultures that appeal to particular candidates.

Some cater to companies making a social impact, while others focus on diverse and inclusive work cultures. Also, you’ll find jobs where you can work anonymously in a remote location or jobs where the company is willing to relocate you to a new country. Check these out; you might just find the job of your dreams.

1.Anon Friendly (Web): Job Board to Work Under a Pseudonym

Anon Friendly is a job board for listings where you can work without revealing your true identity. Most of these jobs are remote, naturally, but there is a wide variety in the nature of the task, from engineering to community managers. The interface is pretty simple and normal, and the site is pretty new, so there aren’t a vast number of listings right now. But it’s a great start nonetheless.

2. Sustainable Development Goals (Web): Find Jobs That Make a Social Impact

The jobs are broken into several categories you can filter, such as clean energy, gender equality, climate action, zero hunger, no poverty, clean water, peace and justice, and many more. Pick what you want, and you can further search within those filters. For example, you can filter the list to find only remote jobs or be open to on-site jobs. SDG is straightforward to use, and you can also sign up for a newsletter to get alerts for jobs in your preferred niche.

3. GoodJobs (Web): Engineering Jobs to Make the World Better

It’s a pretty simple site, with the only option being to filter the job board by remote and non-remote jobs. As an aggregator, the listings link to one of the best job posting sites where the original requirement was listed. And don’t buy into the header that says these jobs concentrate on climate change and food insecurity; there are a variety of social impact causes listed on GoodJobs.

4. Remotewide (Web): Remote Jobs with Same Salaries Regardless of Location

Remotewide is a job board that collects listings for the latter. All jobs on the site are for remote work only and promise location-independent pay. Do note that companies might still require you to be based in the US or Europe, but that is usually more about the organizational structure and tax implications.

5. 4 Day Week (Web): Find Jobs for 4-Day Work Weeks

4 Day Week curates only 4-day work week jobs to give you more personal time. The jobs are divided into four categories: engineer, data and analytics, product and UX, and marketing. You can filter the jobs by adding your current location (North America, South America, Oceania, Asia, Africa, Europe) and searching for designations. You can also filter by hours worked (over 30 or under 30) and whether you want a remote or hybrid remote job.

6. Relocate.me (Web): Find a Job That Helps You Move to a New Country

Several companies will offer to pay your relocation expenses if you want to move to a different country to seek a job. Relocate.me shows job listings for such work opportunities in various tech fields.

The jobs listed are mainly for developers or engineers, but you will sometimes find opportunities for UX design and other tech-related fields. You can filter the list by countries, including Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Estonia, Germany, Japan, Spain, The Netherlands, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Singapore, Sweden, the UK, and the USA.

7. EqualOpportunity.Work (Web): Jobs at Companies Pushing Diversity and Inclusivity

There is a growing trend of companies noting in their hiring posts that they celebrate diverse workplaces and believe in equal opportunity. If these are essential parameters in the work culture you are looking for, EqualOpportunity.Work will show job listings only from such firms.

Judge a Job Board by Recent Postings

With the number of different and niche job boards to go through, how do you decide which ones you should rely on? A good thumb rule is to see how many recent job postings the board has. Companies typically post jobs across several of these boards, so you don’t want to waste your time applying to a listing that has already been filled. And a job board that posts new job ads usually also prunes filled vacancies.

15 Best Work-From-Home Jobs for Retirees | Michael Keenan, Finance.yahoo.com

Whether you need the money to make ends meet or are just figuring out what to do in retirement, there are options, especially work you can do from your own home.

Virtual Assistant

You don’t have to come into the office to help busy people with their smaller tasks anymore. Instead, add it to the list of jobs you can do from home and still manage to make good money. To work as a virtual assistant, you need good communication skills, a computer, a phone and internet access. Some companies prefer you have a bachelor’s degree as well. Your hours depend on the role you take on.

Customer Service Representative

You can find a new career at 50 working from home as a customer representative. Instead of having a centralized call center, some companies opt to allow their representatives to work from home. The company saves on overhead, and you save on your commute time to and from work.

Transcriber

You can get paid to transcribe audio files to Word documents thanks to this job done in the comfort of your home. To work as a transcriptionist, you need to be very detail-oriented and accurate with punctuation, grammar and spelling. In addition, you might need industry experience or manuals to make sure you know specific terminology.

Car Rental Sales Representative

If you can sell a customer on a rental car over the phone, you could land a job with Enterprise as a reservation sales representative. The car rental company does provide some work-from-home opportunities where you could expect to earn $21 per hour on average.

Create and Sell Crafts

Gone are the days when you needed to have a storefront and lots of capital to interact with potential customers. With the power of the internet, you can open your own business with just $100. For example, you can start an online craft store. You can make, sell and ship all your products under your own roof.

Business Consultant

Just because you’ve retired from your main career doesn’t mean you no longer have any valuable business knowledge. You can put that knowledge to work starting your own business consulting company from your den. Your experience and know-how, accumulated over decades during your working years, can prove invaluable for business owners who want to get ahead.

Taking Care of Pets

If you like animals, consider starting a pet sitting business from your own home. You can start from scratch or use an online platform like Rover, where you can post your profile. Of course, Rover checks all applications first. Once you’re on board, you can advertise your services and set your own prices and availability.

Online Tutor

If you enjoy working with students, consider online tutoring as a good job for senior citizens. You can connect with students across the country and teach the subjects you’re passionate about. Plus, as an independent contractor, you can pick and choose which students you want to tutor.

Virtual Juror

Lawyers do lots of research before going to trial, including trying to figure out how potential jurors would feel if they were presented with the case. To get those opinions, they hire people to serve as pretend jurors for their cases so they can gauge whether they are likely to win, and how much a jury might award their clients in damages.

Graphic Designer

Working as a graphic designer makes the list of jobs for people over 50 because you can easily do it from home. If you have a computer and graphic design software, you can create logos and images for companies and organizations.

Internet Search Engine Rater

If you thought surfing the web was a complete waste of time, you’re in for a surprise. Some companies, including Lionbridge, will hire you to evaluate websites and search engine results. To qualify, you need access to a computer and internet connection. Positions are typically part-time and pay hourly.

Editor

You can make a second career out of editing other people’s work before it gets published. Companies like Cactus Global hire people to work from home as full-time editors. The requirements vary depending on what category of writing you want to edit.

Translator

If you are bilingual or fluent in multiple languages, add translator to the list of jobs for retirees. You’ll need to demonstrate your fluency, such as by passing a proficiency test. If you prefer to work on your own schedule, sign up with a company like VerbalizeIt, where you can opt-in to translation jobs that suit your preferences and get paid per job.

Insurance Claims Adjuster

If you have previous experience working in insurance adjusting, you could parlay that experience into a full-time job that you can do from your house. For example, a Cottingham and Butler Claims Services job posting sought senior workers comp claims adjusters with prior experience. Workers receive an allowance to pay for their home offices, equipment and tech support, plus covered business expenses.

Fundraiser

The last option on the list of best jobs for retirees is working in development and fundraising for a nonprofit. Some nonprofits allow their fundraising directors to work remotely as long as they can accomplish all the job duties.

Four Key Strategies for a Successful Asynchronous Remote Work | Umme Sutarwala, Enterprisetalk.com

Working asynchronously isn’t just for totally remote teams; hybrid and office-first teams can benefit greatly from it as well. Here are four suggestions for businesses to help their staff take advantage of asynchronous work.

Plan ahead of time and properly manage time

While asynchronous work offers more freedom, individuals must still manage their time wisely. IT leaders should schedule time for asynchronous work in the same way that they schedule synchronous time for meetings. IT executives must foster a culture in which asynchronous work is valued similarly to synchronous meetings so that synchronous meetings do not necessarily take precedence.

Keep a record of everything

Documentation is essential when quick communication is not available. Asynchronous learning is significantly more accessible when data is stored in a single hub, especially for new recruits. IT leaders should ensure that their corporate and team values, as well as rules, processes, and guidelines, are documented. They should also record and take notes at meetings so that those who are unable to attend may still engage and act.

Create a feedback and recognition culture

When companies work asynchronously, it’s easy to neglect recognition. To make the most of face-to-face interaction, IT leaders can include recognition procedures in their synchronous meetings and catch-ups. If meetings are not possible, IT leaders should utilize systems that automatically seek input so that managers may give staff praise and constructive criticism in an asynchronous way.

To socialize, sync up

Working asynchronously may be forlorn; therefore, IT leaders should make time for social events on a regular basis. If the teams are dispersed, they can participate in several virtual activities and events. While regular in-person social activities may be impossible, IT directors may host a company-wide get-together once a year to introduce employees, bond, and strengthen relationships.

Signs You’re Not a Good Fit for Remote Work | Chris Odogwu, Makeuseof.com

Almost everyone nowadays wants to do remote work. However, remote work isn’t for everyone. Here are some signs that you’re not suited for remote work.

1.Lack of Self-Motivation

Self-motivation is an essential trait of an effective and result-oriented remote worker. Since you are operating from a place of comfort with little to no direct physical contact with management and your colleagues, you need to stay motivated to work and express efficient initiatives in the delivery of your official task(s).

2. You Aren’t Tech Savvy

Since you execute remote work online, you must be hands-on with the latest communication technology. It’s not enough to know this in theory. You must have an in-depth knowledge of the practical use of both hardware devices and gadgets, as well as software applications (web and mobile), while being at the top of technological trends as they emerge.

3. You Don’t Communicate Effectively

Remote work thrives on effective communication; it keeps the workflow running smoothly. So, if you have a problem with communicating, remote work isn’t ideal for you. You can’t carry out objectives towards the achievement of organizational goals in isolation as a remote worker—you need to communicate.

4. You Are Highly Prone to Distraction

Even though remote working is outside the confines of the formal office space, all remote tasks, duties, and obligations must be carried out with utmost concentration. You need to avoid distractions and focus on your work while working remotely. You can employ measures like putting your phone in airplane mode while you work.

5. You Lack Time Management Skills

Remote work often creates an illusion of having all the time in the world. Since you don’t have anyone breathing down your neck and you are in the comfort of your home, it might feel like you have time in your hands. However, the clock continues to tick. Before you know it, the day is far spent, and you haven’t accomplished much work.

6. You Are a People Person

Remote work requires you to work in isolation. If you are a people person, you must be a social bird that struggles to work in isolation without any form of physical interaction. And that’s because you perform better with people around you.

7. You Thrive in a Team Environment

A healthy social life allows you to interact, mingle and be in tune with reality away from the virtual world. Having a social life reduces your chances of being mentally stressed, overwhelmed, and depressed.

8. You Can’t Work Independently

A remote worker must be independent-minded in executing their duties while being open to suggestions. You should be discerning enough to trust your intuition and personal decisions while carrying out organizational tasks.

Remote Work Is Not for Everyone

Remote work is changing the dynamics of work. You don’t have to be in a physical office to work as an employee of an organization. As long as you deliver on your responsibilities, it doesn’t matter where you are working from. However, it’s not ideal for everyone.

The most efficient remote workers are mentally and emotionally sound for a remote job. If you aren’t in the right frame of mind, you’ll lack the motivation to work at all, let alone excel at work.

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Remote Work Digest: March 29, 2022

The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.

You want to work remotely. Your boss wants you back in person. Here’s how to negotiate | Jane Their, Fortune.com

It’s a source of friction at workplaces nationwide now that the pandemic is receding: The boss wants everyone back in the office, but the workers are just fine at home.

Because of work-at-home benefits like more family time, more sleep (on account of no commute) and better work-life balance, many employees are staunchly against reverting to old ways.

If you’re being pressured to return, and don’t want to, there’s hope. You can frame your argument for staying at home — at least a few days a week — as a win-win, according to Shannan Monson, a women’s leadership expert and serial entrepreneur who outlined a four-step approach to that conversation with your boss.

Step #1: Determine what’s best for you

Before you go to your boss, define your goals. What would make you happy? Working two or three days from home or working remotely full-time?

At heart, this is a negotiation, Monson says. “You’ll probably meet somewhere in the middle, but you have to remember you have the power, and you’re in control of what you say yes or no to.”

Monsoon recommends practicing the conversation in advance to ensure you sound level-headed and clear. “The worst thing they can do is say no,” she adds. “You won’t be fired for wanting more.”

Step #2: List all your wins

Before the conversation, compile all your achievements over the past two years of lockdown, and highlight the wins you can take credit for. Bosses tend to have short memories — don’t hesitate to remind them of your successes, she says.

In this way, the work-from-home negotiation resembles the conversation you’d have when asking for a raise.

“You want to be the most prepared person in the room,” she says. Plus, you have leverage. “You’re not asking to work from home so much as asking to continue being your most productive self.”

Step #3: Request the meeting

Once the talking points are in order, it’s time to get the meeting on the books. Monson recommends opening with a line like “Hey, I’m excited to be coming back to work. I’d like to discuss what that looks like.”

Acknowledge, outright, the discomfort your boss may be feeling. “Say, ‘I know there’s been a lot of uncertainty around what returning to work might look like. I want to discuss how I can keep bringing my best work and productivity to the team,’” she recommends. Then launch into your ideas, pitching them as net positives.

Step #4: Pitch the idea

How do you convince your boss that working remotely would be good for your company? By presenting evidence.

Monson recommends a script like: “Based on the work I have been able to do from home in the past two years, and what I’ve accomplished, I’d like to continue doing so. Here’s evidence that that would be good for the company too.”

Most important, Monson adds, is for employees to not be scared, and to recognize how much power they currently hold. “The entire workforce is facing a massive labor shortage, and it’s really hard and expensive to hire and train talent right now,” she says. “Don’t go in with a fear of getting fired. Your boss knows you’re valuable, so don’t you forget it.”

Remote work isn’t enough: 5 tips for the future of flexibility at work | Keren Rubin, Enterprisersproject.com

No longer is remote work seen as a perk – it’s now a common offering that’s here to stay. To compete for talent, companies need to focus on being “people-first.” This means providing employees with the flexibility they need, and merely offering remote work will no longer cut it.

5 tips for work flexibility

1.Create a remote work guide

Consider creating a remote work training program for new employees that outlines remote work expectations, including company hours and a flexible schedule policy. By establishing clear parameters, employees have the opportunity to work as they please within those boundaries.

2.Encourage time blocks

As a fully remote manager, I encourage my teams to block time on their calendars throughout the day to ensure they have time to step away, have lunch, or walk the dog. Working from home doesn’t mean employees can’t take breaks.

3.Establish meeting-free times

Meeting-free time is a simple concept, but implementing it takes careful planning. While meeting-free days are most successful when the entire company can adopt them, implementing them on a team-by-team basis can also be impactful.

4.Create opportunities for mobility

The ongoing technology worker shortage presents new opportunities for companies to fill vacant roles internally. Many organizations are now looking to remove the high (and sometimes unrealistic) barriers to entry for certain roles to increase the talent pool. If you take this approach, clearly outline roles and responsibilities for all roles and be transparent with employees about how they can reach the next level. When roles are clearly written out, it’s easier to evaluate how well your existing talent might fit with internal opportunities. It also gives your employees a goal to work toward.

5.Focus on continuous learning

Continuous learning empowers a flexible workplace. Consider providing sessions hosted by outside experts or internal executives on topics such as eliminating bias, improving team communication, and best practices for leading virtual teams. These will help “normalize” flexible work and equip your workforce with new tools for long-term success.

Why Flexible Work Boosts Employee Productivity | Carline Castrillon, Forbes.com

Flexible work helps attract top talent, but it also makes employees more productive. In the Gartner 2021 Digital Worker Experience Survey, 43% of respondents said that flexible working hours helped them achieve more productivity, and 30% of those surveyed said that less or no time commuting allowed them to be more productive. Here are some reasons why flexible work boosts employee productivity.

Flexible work allows employees to work more

Flexible work arrangements allow employees to work more during the hours they are most productive. In a survey conducted by Airtasker, remote employees worked 1.4 more days every month, or 16.8 more days every year, than office workers. And on those days, they were more productive. While office employees reported an average of 37 minutes each workday not getting work done, remote employees only lost 27 minutes of each workday to distractions.

Flexible work reduces turnover

Allowing employees to work flexible schedules can help retain valuable staff. Without a doubt, flexibility is one of the most important perks workers want from their employers. In fact, a Flexjobs survey found that 80% of respondents said they’d be more loyal to their employer if they provided flexible working arrangements, and 52% said they’d already tried to negotiate flexible work with their current employer. When your workforce is engaged, they spend more time on their work and less time looking for new opportunities.

Flexibility increases engagement

According to a Gallup study, flexible work also drives employee engagement. Engaged employees are more enthusiastic, energetic and have better physical health. And, as decades of Gallup research shows, when employees are engaged, their performance soars. In addition, highly engaged workplaces claim numerous benefits like 40% fewer quality defects, 41% lower absenteeism and 21% higher profitability.

Flexible work allows for better work-life balance

Statistics around the effects of work-life balance on productivity show that companies can double employee output by embracing flexibility. Flexible work gives workers the autonomy to create a schedule that benefits their physical and mental health. That could mean going to a yoga class, spending time with family or going to the gym. With more control over their time, they have a greater sense of freedom to complete work tasks and still take care of their own personal responsibilities.

5 Tips to Boost Employee Productivity | Todd Smekens, Muncievoice.com

Follow these tips, and you’ll see a big improvement in the quality of work and productivity of your team.

Provide training

Invest in regular training sessions, whether that means bringing in an outside expert or simply having someone on your team who is responsible for providing training on a regular basis. And don’t forget about ongoing training. As your business changes and grows, so too should your employees’ understanding of how it works.

Regular training will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what is expected of them. It will also help you to identify any areas where employees are struggling and need additional support.

Give feedback often

Giving feedback is essential if you want to improve employee productivity. But it’s not enough to simply point out when someone has made a mistake. You also need to explain why it was a mistake and how they can avoid making the same error in the future.

Constructive feedback will help your employees understand their errors. It will also give them the opportunity to correct their mistakes. It’s important to be clear, specific, and objective when giving feedback. This will give your employees precisely what they need to work on.

Offer incentives

Offering incentives is a great way to motivate your employees to do their best work and avoid making mistakes. If you know that there’s a financial reward for doing a good job, you’re more likely to be careful and double-check your work before handing it in.

Set clear expectations

Be specific about the standards you expect your employees to meet, and make sure they understand what will happen if they don’t meet those standards. This will help to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal and that mistakes are less likely to be made.

Encourage a culture of learning

Encouraging a culture of learning will help your employees to understand that mistakes are part of the process and that they can learn from them. Encourage your employees to ask questions, share their ideas, and experiment with new things. Encouraging a culture of learning will help your employees to feel more comfortable making mistakes. It will also help you to identify any areas where employees are struggling and need additional support.

In conclusion, following these tips will help you to get your employees to make fewer mistakes. By providing training, giving feedback, and offering incentives, you can motivate your employees to do their best work and avoid making costly mistakes. Invest in your team’s development, and you’ll see a big return on investment for your business.

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December 30, 2021

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Remote Work Digest: December 30, 2021

The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.

How to Ask to Work Remotely Full Time | Robin Madell, Money.usnews.com

Asking your company to work remotely – particularly full time – can be nerve-wrecking. Not only is it challenging to understand exactly how to tell your boss you want to work remotely, but there’s also the worry that your request to work from home full time might be turned down.

Craft Your Personal

You’ll need to work steps into your proposal that will convince your boss that you’re work-from-home worthy, reveal evidence of why working from home works for you, and show you care about team connections, communications and contacts.

Prove You Can Get the Job Done

To prove that you are work-from-home worthy, gather tangible, data-driven evidence that shows your results and your value. If you’ve made yourself indispensable to your team and company where you work now and can show proof of that in your proposal, this will help justify that you are ready and responsible enough to be entrusted with full-time remote work.

Compile Evidence of How and Why Remote Work Works

Despite how common and popular remote work has become, some bosses and employers still prefer to have everyone in the office, so proving how and why virtual work helps teams and companies thrive can help break through that mindset and gain strength for your work-from-home proposal.

Care About Team Connections and Contact

If your boss has concerns about you working from home full time, it likely traces back to a worry that you’ll be harder to communicate with when you’re working off-site. Your proposal should thus address exactly how you plan to stay in close touch with your colleagues, foster team connections and maintain regular contact for collaboration when needed.

Carefully Consider the Answer You Hear

Even with a solid remote work proposal, it’s possible that your manager won’t want you to work from home – at least not full time. If your boss offers a hybrid model that allows you to work remotely some of the time, consider whether this setup will get you close enough to your goals.

Many more companies offer the opportunity for remote work today, so it’s more possible than ever to find a full-time, work-from-home job. If your remote work proposal is rejected or modified, think about whether you want to accept the compromise – or whether a full-time, work-from-home arrangement is important enough for you to seek another position.

Are Your Employees Happy with the Support You Provide? | Saurabh Kumar, Entrepreneur.com

Employees are the building blocks of an organization, and their contributions to a company’s growth are invaluable. Just like you cater to your customers by providing them with personalized customer support, it is equally important to understand the needs of your employees and resolve their issues. Ensure you are always there for your employees whenever they need you and provide them with a friendly workplace. Employee engagement and productivity are directly connected to the support you provide to them.

Does conducting employee satisfaction surveys matter?

Here are some of the reasons why an organization needs to conduct regular employee satisfaction surveys:

1.Making unsatisfied workers productive

Employee satisfaction surveys help you identify the employees who are not satisfied working in your organization. Once they are identified, managers can understand their issues, resolve them, and increase their productivity while ensuring they are more engaged.

2. Preventing a toxic environment

Taking regular surveys and working on the findings prevents a toxic environment. Disgruntled employees lead to increased turnover and reduced productivity.

3. Increasing employee retention

Without conducting employee satisfaction surveys, you will not understand how your employees genuinely feel about working in your organization.

4. Improved customer relations

When employees are engaged and motivated, they build healthy and lasting relationships with your customers.

Essential questions to include in employee satisfaction surveys

Here are some of the most important questions that you should include in your employee satisfaction surveys to reach conclusive findings:

1.Do you feel connected to your peers

Workers spend a large part of their day interacting with each other. If they do not feel connected to their peers, it will affect their overall work experience.

2. Do you like the company’s culture?

Your employees must be in tune with your company’s culture. If they have issues with your culture, talk about it with them and work to find a solution.

3. Do you think the organization is open to change?

In the age of digitization, organizations need to be dynamic and implement flexible approaches to work. If your employees feel the company follows stringent rules that curb their free will, it affects their performance.

4. How seriously do the managers take your feedback?

This question helps you ascertain how well the management responds to the feedback provided by your employees and how valued your employees feel.

5. Do you feel that your efforts are recognized enough?

Management should acknowledge and show appreciation for efforts put in by employees. If employees feel managers do not value their contributions, productivity and engagement will take a hit.

6. Do your managers keep you updated about company news on a timely basis?

When your employees are regularly updated about important company news, they feel valued. Conversely, if they feel kept in the dark because of inadequate communication, they may feel like they don’t matter.

Effective ways to keep your employees happy

Here are some of the most critical ways in which you can keep your employees happy with seamless support provided to them:

1. Implementing Conversational AI

Modern help desks use conversational AI to facilitate seamless interactions between your employees and AI chatbots. Implementing this technology makes it easier for your employees to obtain personalized primary support without relying on support agents every time.

2. Automating the ticketing system

Traditional service desks often make the ticketing process tedious and complicated. By implementing a modern employee service desk, you can automate the entire ticketing system. These platforms allow your employees to create support tickets simply by initiating a chat with virtual assistants.

3. Integrating your employee help desk with a collaborative platform

You can leverage the support provided to your employees by integrating your help desk with your collaborative platform. Doing so would provide your employees and HR managers with a centralized platform to interact with each other.

4. Easy communication of employee benefits

Instead of reaching out to the HR managers to obtain every tiny detail about employee benefits, try automating communication of these benefits. Modern HR help desks allow your employees to get all relevant information about their benefits by chatting with virtual assistants.

The final word

Addressing the issues faced by your employees would help you leverage engagement and productivity. First, however, remember that it all starts by asking your employees if they are happy with their support. You’ll be surprised by what they are willing to share!

Having Trouble Embracing Remote Work? You Need To Overcome These 3 Limiting Beliefs | Larry English, Forbes.com

Companies that embrace the new world of work are reaping the benefits. For instance, they’re able to attract a significantly larger talent pool. A recent report found that employers that fail to offer remote work will be passed over by 58% of candidates.

“Why are some organizations wildly successful? It’s not by doing the same things they’ve been doing for the last few decades,” says Amy Lescke-Kahle, vice president of performance acceleration at The Marcus Buckingham Company, an ADP Company. “It’s because they’ve acknowledged and adjusted to the changes to work, the world and the market.”

Shed These 3 Little Beliefs To Finally Embrace Remote Work

To move forward, these leaders need to reexamine their beliefs around work and how they measure employees. Some of the most pervasive myths or limiting beliefs that need busting include:

Myth 1: Employees Need Babysitting

The best thing you can do in a remote setting is to simply trust your people. Yet many leaders are going in the opposite direction, using tracking software to keep an eye on employee activities. The 2021 ADP Research Institute People at Work report found that 62% of workers say they’re being more closely monitored than ever before.

Myth 2: In-Person Collaboration Is Always the Most Effective

Studies have shown that the traditional approach to collaboration—with people gathered in the same room—isn’t always the most effective method for generating good ideas. A few people end up dominating the conversation, leaving introverts and junior team members behind. In fact, a concept called Bartleby’s Law says that meetings waste 80% of the time for 80% of attendees.

Asynchronous communication and collaboration, necessary elements of remote work success, help solve this problem. When collaboration doesn’t always happen in person (or over videoconference), you remove the on-the-fly pressure and end up getting more input from more people.

Myth 3: Remote Work Just Adds Another Layer of Organizational Complexity

Reimagining work offers an opportunity to rethink all our systems—many of which are more complex than necessary, wasting time and causing major employee heartburn, Leschke-Kahle points out. Instead of making things more complicated, leaders should use the shift to remote work to streamline and simplify.

“We’ve so over-engineered the world of work with policies and processes that are not necessary in a grown-up version of work,” Leschke-Kahle says. “Simplification must be a big piece of what we do next.”

Welcome To The Great Work Experiment

Change can be scary, but as Leschke-Kahle points out, work is an easy, relatively low-risk place to test new practices. “This is really the great work experiment, and we should be digging into what works and what doesn’t. If you’re slow and hesitant to change, both your employees and your business are going to end up suffering, because the market will pass you by.”

6 Time Management Techniques To Utilize In The Forthcoming Year | Steve Johnson, Newsakmi.com

We all know how chaotic things can get at work: constant changes, slipping deadlines, and a to-do list that seems never-ending. Especially now that the year is coming to an end, many people claim that their New Year (business) resolution is “managing time better” or “becoming more efficient.” But is that possible, or will better time management become another New Year resolution that never came to be? Fortunately, you can enter the year more relaxed, as this article includes 6 effective time management techniques that will help you always be on schedule from now on.

1.Make Your To-Do List

This is the most important step, and yet many people skip it. There’s no reason to go into the office and take each day as it comes. Instead, start by gathering the notes that are stuck on your computer, the scribbles in your notebook, and your mental notes, and make a checklist of all your tasks. Having everything in one place helps you create a daily to-do list that gets you easily through the day.

2. Prioritize Your Tasks

Try to delegate or eliminate unimportant and non-urgent tasks, and bring important and urgent ones to the top of your list. Important tasks that don’t require your immediate attention should become part of a long-term plan.

3. Invest In Time Tracking

If lack of time management techniques is a company-wide problem, you should consider utilizing time tracking software. That would allow you to see when your employees clock in and out and how much time they’re spending on specific tasks. It could be that inconsistencies in attendance or excessive time being spent on unimportant tasks are to blame for your missed deadlines.

4. Resist The Urge to Multitask

Trying to take on multiple tasks at once, or constantly switching from one task to another can be time-consuming and detrimental to your productivity. Instead, you should focus on the task at hand and try to block any distractions. Taking on tasks one-by-one can also help you get through seemingly endless to-do lists without getting overwhelmed and stressed out.

5. Set SMART Goals

As you set your goals for this year’s resolutions, you might want to keep this acronym in mind. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-oriented. These are the characteristics all your goals should have if you’re hoping to achieve them within the accepted time limits.

6. Learn To Say No

The final and very important time management technique we’re sharing with you is learning to say no. It might seem hard for you, but you should know that you can’t successfully manage your time at work if you don’t say no once in a while. When someone comes to you with a request, pause for a beat. If you have some free time, by all means, help them. However, in case you’re truly swamped and have to neglect your own tasks to accommodate them, don’t hesitate to politely decline.

Conclusion

If your New Year resolution is to become more productive, efficient, and better at managing your time, you should consider the time management techniques we shared in this article. Follow them and organize your time to become less stressed and more successful.

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September 29, 2021

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Remote Work Digest: September 29, 2021

The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.

The right flexible work approach can benefit everyone | Bob Helbig, Energage, Ajc.com

Today, companies are reaping the benefits of workplace flexibility, including greater employee satisfaction, retention and productivity.

Flex work makes it easier for employees to achieve a better work-life balance. Workplace flexibility practices aren’t limited to working from home. Other examples include flexible work schedules, compressed workweeks and job sharing. Companies benefit when employees are able to deliver their personal best.

Here are a few essential recommendations to consider when adopting workplace flexibility best practices.

Setting Expectations

The key to managing flexible working arrangements is to set clear expectations. Be sure to communicate clear deadlines, collaboration expectations and measures of success.

Communication

Communication is one of the characteristics of good management. Find convenient meeting times so everyone can participate in communication efforts. Identify which of the many messaging, video conference and file-sharing platforms support the best communication methods for your organization, and use them in unison.

Encourage Flexibility in All Aspects

Companies need to encourage their employees to think creatively and work with managers and teammates to find an arrangement that supports workplace flexibility for everyone. The workplace must also consider barriers that prohibit a flexible approach, from family care to technology.

Focus on Measuring Outcomes

While it may seem counterintuitive, giving employees greater control over how they work can ultimately lead to greater productivity. An outcome focus also gives employees a clear understanding of performance expectations and the metrics that will measure their work.

Accountability

Personal accountability plays a vital role in shaping best practices for flexible workplaces. Employees should understand they will be held accountable for the results of their work and productivity, even if they are working from home.

Companies that offer different types of flexibility in the workplace stand out as employers of choice with forward-thinking approaches that focus on the changing needs of their employees. Flexibility is appealing to current employees as well as top talent in search of a work-life balance. Employees will be more productive and committed to your organization.

5 ways to use décor to enhance your work-from-home life | Ismat Tahseen, Timesofindia.indiatimes.com

From handy work spaces that have makeshift desks to choosing a quiet spot as your nook and placing plants around for some zen, there’s a lot that folks are doing to create their work nooks. Here are a few other décor ideas that can build a beautiful home-work environment.

Make it vibrant

Dull grey or pastel green adds a to a relaxed ambience in the bedroom, but it won’t foster a charged-up energy to a work area. How about painting one wall in a bright shade of yellow or green, to do so?

Fun lighting

Place around a set of vintage bottles filled with micro led party lights. Stick a few berries into it for that rustic look. Add a potpourri bowl to the table as well.

Go minimal

The less clutter the better, is the mantra here. Avoid sticky posted notes popping up on tables, strewn paper and a bunch of files around which hamper your focus.

Try and sit where you get enough natural light

Health experts advocate the importance of getting enough sunlight, which gives the daily dose of vitamin D. Sunlight boosts productivity, it is serotonin-producing, said to boost bone health and lead to better immune function.

Use the principle of Hygge

The Danish lifestyle principle of Hygge is something else you can try. It’s about warmth and cosiness using colour and textures. Get a pretty rug, maybe a cushion or two, place a motivational message on the wall as well as a few clay planters, all of which add to a feeling of peace and happiness.

The Impact of Remote Work on Climate Change | Emagazine.com

The gradual migration from corporate to remote work has varying effects on climate change. Here’s some of the pros and cons of remote work.

The Positive Effects of Remote Work on Climate Change

Significant Drop in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

According to The Natural Conservancy, the average American produces sixteen tons of greenhouse gas annually. Greenhouse gases have very harmful effects on the environment and the population at large. They cause extreme shifts in weather patterns resulting in drought, floods, and even tsunamis.

Furthermore, they contribute to an increase in wildfires and smog. Smog has been linked to respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders and even lung cancer.

By telecommuting, you reduce your carbon footprint, thereby minimizing your environmental impact and supporting the human race as a whole.

Reduced Paper Usage

Telecommuting embraces a more digital approach where workers use applications and software to record, store and share information. By embracing note-taking programs and cloud storage software, remote workers reduce their paper usage, reducing their carbon footprint.

Improved Air Quality

Remote working means fewer people are on the roads. As already mentioned, the transport sector is among the number one producers of greenhouse gases. When people work from home, it means less fossil fuel combustion and better air quality.

Less Plastic Usage

Plastic is a non-biodegradable substance and takes hundreds of years to disintegrate. Due to its long life span, it can present challenges for us and future generations. Working from home helps cut back on plastic use as it allows you to use reusable cups, bowls and cutlery, instead of relying on single-use plastic foodware.

Reduced Power Consumption

By working from home, you help reduce the extremely high electric bills and reduce the energy burden of society.

The Downsides of Remote Working

Only Partial Carbon Footprint Reduction

Hybrid work, a form of remote work where employees combine working from home with working at the office, doesn’t fully eliminate the need to commute nor the energy consumption habits of office buildings. While alternating between the office and remote working may go some way to reducing your carbon footprint, it stops short of having a sizeable impact on it.

Energy Consumption

Does working from home really help cut back on energy consumption? Thanks to the ever-evolving tech industry, more and more people are embracing technology to simplify their lives.

Virtual work is a great example. Instead of driving or taking the bus to work to attend meetings or get work done, we use video conferencing apps such as Zoom and Skype. We now email whenever we need to pass official communication. All these devices use electricity.

Remote Working is a Net Positive for Climate Change

Remote working is a crucial player in helping fight climate change. By working from home, you help:

Reduce greenhouse emissions
Improve air quality
Decrease single-plastic use
Reduce paper consumption

Even though some models of remote working, specifically hybrid work, encourage commuting, thereby maintaining certain greenhouse emission levels, remote work continues to make great strides in reducing environmental degradation and helping manage climate change.

How to increase employee productivity in the workplace | Cyprus-mail.com

Keeping your employees happy is a must as it will boost their engagement and interaction at work. Some simple techniques that can boost employee productivity that can bring about some surprising results.

Seven ways to boost employee productivity effectively in the workplace

Communication

Establishing strong communication is one of the first changes you can integrate into your business. When assigning responsibility roles to the members of your company, ensure that there is no confusion or misunderstanding in the job expectations.

Setting up communication protocols will establish clear performance goals which will allow your employees to understand their job descriptions better.

Technology upgrade

As a company, you must learn to invest in the right tools as it improves productivity and also saves time in getting a task done. Some really simple tools can bring about big changes in office productivity and efficiency.

Reduce meaningless meetings

Some meetings lead to unproductive discussions that can cost time and energy which could have been sent in an email. By reducing meaningless meetings or restricting meetings to 15-20 minutes can improve productivity at work.

Keep goals clear and focused

Employees who understand the value, mission, and expectations of the company clearly are compelled to accomplish their given tasks efficiently.

Before you assign any work to an employee, ask yourself if that particular employee will be able to achieve the task at hand. Regular interactions with your employees will help you understand them better and appreciate a job well done.

Encourage self-care

Encouraging employees to take care of themselves is vital as it not only keeps them physically and mentally healthy but also improves productivity.

As a company, you should offer health insurance for your employees as it will help them take advantage of the health benefits. Sometimes the workload or work pressure can be quite stressful.

As a business owner, you can offer time management and stress relief programmes so that employees can learn some useful self-care techniques.

Improve Office Conditions

Investing in good lighting, comfortable chairs, high-quality tables, air conditioning, soundproof walls, etc can help boost employee productivity.

Delegate responsibility

Allowing them to take on tasks by themselves will boost their morale and gain leadership experience. If you are constantly breathing down their necks, it will impact the performance and growth of your company.

Final thoughts

Keep in mind that you must learn to focus on quality more than quantity, so make sure that you create realistic and achievable goals for your employees.

Since many businesses are allowing their employees to come back to work, getting vaccinated has been many people’s concern. Here are some ethical questions that have been raised regarding the COVID-19 vaccines.

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