6 Things Remote Tech Industry Workers Want

Remote work is becoming extremely popular and this is certainly true of the tech industry. In fact, a recent survey of tech talent revealed that nearly two-thirds would be open to working 100% remotely. And naturally, those who are interested will still have some reservations and worries.

Here we take a look at six things that tech industry workers want in order to be able to do their job more effectively.

1. Companies to be supportive

While some tech industry workers aren’t enamoured with the idea of working remote 100% of the time – the majority would actually like the option to do so from time to time. A survey of individuals who use a computer as a part of their job found that 95% want the option to work remotely.

However, there’s a problem here – and it’s not coming from the workers. In fact, it’s the companies that are behind the times a little. 31% in the same survey revealed that they don’t work remotely because their employer doesn’t let them. So, it’s time for employers to embrace this change in appetite for remote work, and to find better ways to support it.

2. Better ways to stay connected

One of the major reasons why some tech industry staff aren’t interested in remote work is that they feel it would disconnect from their team, and others think it would make them feel lonely working on their own.

In order to encourage staff to work remotely, it’s vital that businesses invest in better ways to stay connected. There are many ways to do this, which could involve Skype meetings or the use of other face-to-face video software. Another is through team messaging software, such as Twist or Slack, which can feel more personal than email.

3. Long-term career growth

Another issue for tech industry workers considering remote work is the worry that they’ll damage their long-term career outlook by doing so. Many worry that being out of sight of their boss makes it less likely that their good work will go noticed.

Businesses need to make it easier for staff to feel they’ll be recognised for their good work. It’s important to promote the successes of remote staff around your business just as you would in the office, which can help them feel more appreciated.

4. More training (especially for managers)

Unfortunately, many remote workers find they’re treated differently from in-office staff. This can make it very difficult for them to stay motivated and keep their morale high. Remote tech workers would love for companies to invest more in training managers.

The fact is there’s a lot of high-quality training available for team leaders and supervisors looking to improve how they manage remote teams. Businesses should look to invest in training to help current managers to improve both their understanding of how to get more from their remote staff, and better ways to keep the team motivated.

5. Regular check-ins

Loneliness can be a major problem for remote staff – but this isn’t just a problem from the perspective of an employee’s mental health; it can also affect motivation and produce problems with workload. This is why it’s essential that managers of remote staff should check-in with their workers regularly.

Take the time to have a phone call with remote staff at least once a week to keep up to date with what they’re doing. This allows them to raise any issues and provides them with constant contact with their workplace so that they don’t feel isolated.

6. A way to separate home and work-life

Some remote workers find it difficult to unplug from their work, as they don’t have a specific way to differentiate working time from home life. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to this, but it can be very effective to provide your remote workers with training on how to better control their time and how to switch off.

Employers and managers should also be doing their part by never contacting remote staff outside of working hours, as this can lead to them feeling like they’re constantly at work.