Remote working is predicted to remain an attractive choice for both employers and employees post-pandemic. For businesses, implementing remote work setups can improve agility and cut operational costs. And for workers, working remotely promises a more flexible schedule and better work-life balance. However, a remote work setup can only be successful when the proper tools and equipment are in place.
In this blog post, we will discuss the top things that your New Jersey business should prepare to ensure your remote workers remain productive and secure.
Desktop computers or laptops
Remote employees need a machine that can handle all of their work tasks. Whether you choose desktop computers or laptops for your remote workforce, the devices should have a fast processor and plenty of RAM. If employees are going to be working with large files or doing a lot of video editing, you will need more powerful computers.
Before deploying the devices, make sure that they have all the software that your employees need or use for work; this guarantees that workers can be productive right away. Also, ensure that every computer or laptop has all of the ports and connections that employees need to connect necessary peripheral devices.
Peripheral devices
Peripheral devices include keyboards, mice, printers, scanners, and any other device that can connect to a computer but is not essential for its operation. While these devices are meant to be supplementary, they are still necessary for many tasks that employees need to do to be productive.
For instance, remote staff may need a printer to print out contracts or invoices to be sent to customers. Or, if an employee needs to compare documents or images side by side, having another monitor will be handy. To ensure optimal employee productivity, it is important to make sure that your employees have the necessary peripheral devices for their remote work setup.
Reliable internet connection
Remote workers need to access company files and collaborate with their colleagues, so they must have a wired or wireless internet connection that is fast and reliable.
With so many internet service providers and plans available, choosing the right one can be challenging. But answering the following questions will guide you in choosing the best provider and plant for your remote work needs:
- What are the minimum speeds that your remote team needs for work?
- How much data do you think each remote employee will use per month?
- Are there any specific features that you need, such as unlimited data or no contract required?
- What is your budget?
- Is the provider willing to give a trial period to test out the service before committing to it long term?
Comfortable furniture
Remote workers need to have furniture that supports the body in the right way. Otherwise, they can end up with back pain, neck pain, and other issues. By investing in ergonomic desks and chairs, you can help remote employees be more comfortable while working. This will allow them to be more productive without compromising their health.
Technology stipend
Remote workers need to have access to the same technology that they use in the office — but this can be expensive if they pay for it out of their own pockets. By giving them a stipend, you can ensure that remote workers can afford the required tools to do their job, whether it is software, a subscription, or anything else.
For instance, employees working out of the office are more likely to connect to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. Giving them a stipend to purchase a virtual private network (VPN) subscription or other security tools can help keep your data safe.
By considering these things in implementing a remote work setup, you’ll be well on your way to a successful work from home experience. If you need a hand in creating and implementing a remote work policy that drives your team to accomplish more, download our FREE eBook, “Make remote working work for your business”. You can also talk to our IT experts at Online Computers by calling us at 800-985-9365.