Staff isolation, cohesion and engagement within teams are the top priorities of many firms as remote working becomes the norm during the coronavirus pandemic, according to research by Bath project management consultancy Nine Feet Tall.
Its extensive research with organisations across a range of sectors, including Royal Mail, The White Company, Danone, Costain, Nationwide and Marks & Spencer, showed that these issues had replaced concerns over getting technology in place for home workers.
As a result of these conversations, Nine Feet Tall has produced a white paper exploring the difficulties, considerations and changes businesses now face with remote working as social distancing and travel restrictions continue or – as in many areas of the UK, including London, Manchester and Birmingham – tighten.
Nine Feet Tall Partner Huw Jones said most organisations were quick to put the right technology in place for home working in the spring when lockdown first hit.
However, as the months passed and the longevity of remote working was slowly accepted, new issues had arisen around team, culture and motivation.
“We were interested to hear that presenteeism is still a very real issue in some organisations where checking-up remains in place. A huge culture shift is required for organisations who need to see employees in the office at their desks every day,” he said.
“Other organisations were focused on addressing concerns around division and team wellbeing. Additionally, when you have a frontline workforce who cannot work remotely and another team who can, it can be tricky to ensure there is no resentment.”
He said the future of work would undoubtably include remote working across most sectors.
“The very nature of how, when and where we work is evolving and employees will not want to go back to tiring and pricey commutes after the pandemic,” he added.
“What employees and employers are seeking though is a way to replicate the personal human contact and fill in the gaps that the technology leaves.”
Nine Feet Tall specialises in business transformation, working in close partnership with its clients to deliver widespread, positive change regardless of the organisation size and despite the cultural challenges faced.
To read its Beyond 2020: The Future of Work Conversations white paper, click here.
