Working from home is becoming more and more prevalent in the US, whether that be home businesses or company employees working remotely. A Gallup poll found that 43% work from home at least some of the time.
Technology has adapted, with entirely digital HR management packages available. However, there are some unique challenges that home-based businesses and employers of remote staff will find. This article will look at what sort of businesses are operating, and the challenges they face.
Home Businesses In 2017
Jobs can be found in a huge variety of forms these days. Classic businesses are increasingly allowing their employees to work from home. Furthermore, more people are opening their own businesses from home as the internet acts as an enabler. Markets have even opened with people providing for themselves via subsidiary income; for example, via making money from online shopping. Amazon has even tapped into the burgeoning voucher economy.
Overworking
One of the biggest issues facing HR companies is workers overworking. With the absence of a clock in and clock out system or a physical presence, employee’s regularly work too-long hours. This has a twofold issue; one with measuring productivity, where an employee is able to present exceptional work rate as normal despite extra hours. Secondly, it’s legally dubious in states with minimum wage laws where the extra hours could create a problem.
A good solution to this is an obligation on the employee to report their working pattern and statistics accurately. The benefit of such methods also help with the next challenge.
Culture
An issue facing both premises-based businesses and online business owners. Every good company looks to foster a particular culture and sense of camaraderie among their employees to work towards long-term targets. This challenge has been a result of much focus in the business world, and many corporate bodies have adopted the stance of recognizing differences in remote workers.
A good way to tackle this – especially for a home business owner – is to use social media, or a messaging platform, to encourage communication and friendliness between employees. It’s also advantageous to organize team activities, many versions of which have online counterparts.
Remote working, or hiring online, brings a unique set of challenges to any employers to balance against the great benefits of working remotely. They can seem tough, but there is software out there and techniques you can employ to get ahead.
