Managing Remote Staff

'Managing Remote Staff: Capitalize on Work-from-Home Productivity ' offers small businesses -- and managers in businesses of any size -- practical advice, strategies and case studies for managing employees who are out of sight, but NOT out of mind. Managing remote workers is nothing new, but its prevalence has been impacted significantly by COVID-19. Many small businesses and managers are struggling to adapt to the new challenges they face while maintaining productivity, staff engagement, customer satisfaction and a healthy bottom line. This book addresses the myths, misconceptions, pros and cons of remote work for both employers and employees and offers guidance on the attributes of successful remote workers, establishing policies and procedures for remote work, training (employees and managers) and effective management practices with an emphasis on communication.

The world as we know it has changed. Even businesses that long declared that working from home wasn’t an option have found themselves adjusting and overhauling their business models, since the only other alternative is to close.Despite being thrust into this “new normal,” businesses and their displaced staff have risen to the challenges and acclimatized to ways of working remotely. Since then, the idea of managing remote workers has grown and become more widely accepted as a viable way to do business.If your business needs more employees but you don’t have the office space to accommodate them; if someone on your staff wants to work from home; you want to promote a flexible work environment but fear losing profits; or you simply need to adapt due to a pandemic as so many have had to do, managing remote staff may be the answer.Managing Remote Staff: Capitalize on Work-from-Home Productivity explains how to:• Determine whether remote staffing is right for your company• Assess new and current candidates• Train managers and employees remotely• Help at-home or off-site staff to cope• Set up the home office• Measure the success of your program• Take care of the legal detailsThis book provides managers with the tools to set up and maintain a productive remote staffing program that benefits both employees and employers.

INTRODUCTION xi1 A BRIEF HISTORY OF REMOTE WORK 11. From the Nineteenth Century to Today 22. The Coronavirus Impact on Remote Work 53. Lessons from the Trenches 92 MYTHS, MISCONCEPTIONS, PROS, AND CONS 131. Exploring Some Myths about Remote Work 141.1 Myth 1: Employees will be too isolated and willbecome alienated from the team 141.2 Myth 2: If an employee wants to work remotelythey’ll be out of the office five days a week 151.3 Myth 3: If I let one employee telecommuteI’ll have to let all employees have the opportunity 151.4 Myth 4: Everyone will want to work remotely andthere will be nobody left in the office 16vi Managing Remote Staff1.5 Myth 5: Only big companies areinvolved in telecommuting 161.6 Myth 6: It is too difficult to manage remote workers 162. Benefits of Remote Work for Companies/Employers 173. Drawbacks of Remote Work for Companies/Employers 194. Benefits of Remote Work for Employees 235. Drawbacks of Remote Work for Employees 256. Lessons from the Trenches 283 BEST JOB TYPES FOR REMOTE WORK 311. Is Your Business Ready to Manage Off-site Staff? 341.1 Lessons from the pandemic 341.2 What it takes: Traits of companies most effectivein managing remote staff 361.3 Understand the differences and similaritiesbetween off-site staff and gig workers(and why it’s important) 382. Overcome Resistance from Managers and Employees 413. Resources Required: Equipment and ToolsSafety Considerations 433.1 Office equipment and tools 433.2 Safety considerations 464. Lessons from the Trenches 484 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 511. Policy Statement 532. Selection Criteria 553. Expectations/Responsibilities of Off-site Employees 563.1 Work hours 563.2 Work assignments 563.3 Employer’s right to inspect workplace 573.4 Privacy and confidentiality 573.5 Performance measurement 573.6 Salary and benefits 57Contents vii3.7 Overtime 583.8 Equipment and supplies 583.9 Insurance 583.10 Termination of agreement 593.11 Employment-at-will disclaimer 594. Communicate Policies and Policy Changes 595. Lessons from the Trenches 605 THOSE YOU KNOW — CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFULREMOTE WORKERS AND SELECTION CRITERIA 631. Who Thrives, Survives, or Dives? 642. Traits of Successful Remote Workers 643. Assess Candidates 654. Potential Pitfalls 664.1 It just doesn’t work with the employee 664.2 It’s not fair! 664.3 My manager won’t let me! 675. Lessons from the Trenches 676 THOSE YOU DON’T — RECRUITING EMPLOYEES FORTELECOMMUTING POSITIONS 691. Steps in the Hiring Process 712. Position Requirements 723. Your Website as a Recruiting Tool 754. The Internet as a Recruiting Tool 765. Social Media and Recruitment 776. Other Sources of Applicants 787. Effective Online Recruiting 798. Selection Criteria 819. Interviewing Candidates for Off-site Jobs 8310. References 8511. Perils and Pitfalls 8612. Lessons from the Trenches 87viii Managing Remote Staff7 ONBOARDING 891. The New World of Onboarding during COVID-19 901.1 Preboarding — setting the stage for future success 912. Social Considerations 923. Additional Implications for Remote Workers 934. Lessons from the Trenches 948 TRAINING OFF-SITE AND ONSITE WORKERSMANAGERS, AND SUPERVISORS 971. Characteristics of Employee Training Programs 982. Managers Need Training Too 993. Training Onsite Employees 1014. Lessons from the Trenches 1029 MANAGING OFF-SITE STAFF — BEST PRACTICES 1071. The Truth about Managing Off-site Staff 1082. Set Goals and Objectives 1093. Establish Job Standards 1124. Provide Feedback 1135. Communication 1146. Help Remote Teams Stay Connected 1177. Lessons from the Trenches 12110 MOTIVATE OFF-SITE STAFF 1231. Managing Both Onsite and Off-site Staff 1272. Additional Tips for Managers of Off-site Staff 1283. Lessons from the Trenches 13011 MEASURING OUTCOMES 1331. Finding the Right Balance 1352. Why Alternative Work Arrangements Fail 1383. Lessons from the Trenches 140DOWNLOAD KIT 143