Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 55 | Page 29

EDITOR ’ S QUESTION

It ’ s been over a year of remote working and it is quite evident that remote or hybrid working options to employees offers increased productivity by employees and operational cost benefits to employers . It is also estimated that by 2025 , 70 % of the workforce will be working remotely at least five days a month . However , before jumping into the bandwagon with an assumption of benefit to business , it is important for a company to assess its current office culture , team sizes and operational requirements . The benefits of remote working can be just as advantageous for the employers as the employees and therefore must be well assessed before deciding the course of action .

Since the fear of the pandemic is still prevalent , the last thing a company wants is to open its offices fully and expect employee return only to detect cases that will not only disrupt business but also pose a threat to employees ’ health . This leads to added burden of financial loss due to disruption or increased employee health care expenses . A hybrid workplace therefore keeps employees safe during these uncertain times .
While remote working was implemented as a coping mechanism during the pandemic to sustain businesses , employers and employees everywhere have realised that a healthy pattern in remote working has many benefits . These include increased productivity , employee retention and cost advantages .
Aside from the security concerns , other issues organisations be looking at when developing and adopting a hybrid model to give employees freedom to choose between tradition office environments and working remotely include ensuring an efficient , productive and secure hybrid work environment is vital . Some of the other areas that employers must be looking at over and above security are : seamless connectivity and transparency , managing the hybrid team , managing unconscious bias , impact on culture , collaboration abilities and , employee wellbeing and social engagement .
Aside from that , the common challenges that CIOs and IT team have faced when it comes to employees working from home include the flow of communication . Communication is one of the most critical factors of a work culture across all members of the entity . It keeps every team member updated and helps maintain a healthy workflow . Hence , regular team meetings is crucial ( virtual or physical ) to bridge the communication gap between team members and build cognitive and emotional trust .
Going forward companies are increasingly adopting extended work from home policies . Before the outbreak , only 7 % of workers in the US had access to a ‘ flexible workplace ’ benefit or telework according to Pew Research Centre . Today this has changed . The pandemic has clearly ushered in new ways of working and whole range of benefits have emerged on top of what a traditional workplace provides . Companies are now choosing to go the hybrid model for the long term , hence adopting remote work needs and policies and embedding them into the company ’ s culture . Here are a few ways that organisations will alter to keep this going and reap benefits for the long-term . p
ENAS AL ISA , HUMAN RESOURCE SUPERVISOR , TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIES MIDDLE EAST
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