Things I Don't Like being a Remote Worker
I'm in the middle of a 6-week assignment doing remote work for one of our distant offices that need assistance. It is different duties than my regular job and a different shift, days off, etc. So far, I've enjoyed it and am considering extending for another 6 weeks but not sure yet. It is not all fun and games though. Here are some of the pitfalls I'm discovering.
1. Zoom
It just always seems artificial. Nothing personal about contacts here.
2. Microsoft Teams
This is where the majority of my work product resides, and it is not organized to make productivity easier. I don't enough about the platform or efficiency to make knowledgeable suggestions, but there has to be a better way.
3. Lack of Feedback
Our team is split between folks on site and folks working remotely. To me I never know whether what I'm doing is actually helping the team onsite or would it just be easier for them to do it themselves. On the rare occasion, when I'm notified corrections need to be made, it is always along the line of "Don't worry about it this time, we fixed it. But next time please do..." While that is nice and said with the best intentions, it doesn't help me.
4. Just a Cog
My work product is in the middle of the process. I don't see what precipitated the action or the end result. This can be frustrating.
5. Difficult to Plan my Workflow
Don't think this can be helped much. Sometimes we are busier than others. But being remote I don't have any way of judging until after the fact. It is easier on my mind if I can see what the shift looks like. At least onsite, you can get a vibe.
6. Family doesn't understand I'm working
This will only take a second. Can you leave what you're doing and give me a hand?
7. Likewise, it seems more difficult to separate work and free time.
Don't get me wrong, I have a specific shift and rarely does work intrude outside of those times. But since my commute now goes from the desk to the couch, it seems like everything is blending together. I now have to schedule time to get out of the house. It seemed easier just to do___________ on the way to or from the office.
8. If you manage a hybrid or remote work force, you have to try even harder to make everyone feel included.
As a Gen X guy, I don't get the same warm fuzzies that some do from texts, and emails. Great for passing along info. Not so great at passing good cheer. On the flip side, videoconferencing seems even worse. It makes team building and camaraderie difficult. But I believe it is more important for the remote members of your team. Maybe just "Reach out, reach out and touch someone," H/T AT&T.
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