Introduction

When COVID-19 clenched the whole world in its tight grip, unprecedented changes occurred. An altogether new concept of working from home has emerged as the new work model in the modern world. It offers several benefits to employees and employers while also demanding due diligence.

Employee performance monitoring, compliance management, and leave and attendance management necessitate a more focused effort. This calls for smart and error-free practices on the part of managers.

Common Mistakes Related to Managing Your Remote Working Team

To achieve your remote working team’s expected production and efficiency, you need to avoid certain mistakes that hinder the overall business growth.

1. Do not neglect effective team interaction
   Organizational members who operate remotely need to be connected through regular interaction. Remote work may make a few of your employees feel isolated and lonely. It would help if you kept all your team members in touch with their co-workers and managers. They must be able to approach each other whenever required. This improves the benefits of employee self-service.
2. Failing to have a clear and transparent communication channel
   Having an open and free communication channel enables your team members to contact the required person. Communication improves the constant flow of crucial information, which is critical for managing your business. Lack of proper communication leads to unwanted consequences.
3. Not keeping tabs on the remote team’s performance 
   Performance management strategies are crucial in every business organization. It is more so when it comes to managing remote teams. By fairly and diligently monitoring your team’s performance, you can motivate the employees. Daily touchpoints, weekly reporting, quarterly reviews, and regular teleconferences go a long way in keeping up the tempo. Failure to regularly assess employee performance and address issues may prove expensive.
4. Micromanaging remote workers is a big no-no
   Too much scrutiny will only put off employees. Just because your employees are working from their homes, you need not keep prodding them. Make them available for communication when required, and allow them to operate on their own. Micromanaging every individual employee due to a lack of trust and understanding will only lead to bitter experiences.
5. Not providing the tools and technology for remote working
   With the new work model of working from home comes the need for identifying and offering the necessary workflow platforms that fit well with your specific requirements. Failing to provide the essential apps and devices to your team members will result in poor efficiency and productivity of your remote team.
6. Not stating expectations clearly and failing to give proper directions
   Assigning a task to your team, you very well know what you expect from them, but are they being instructed sufficiently to understand your expectations? You must ensure the right level of clarity in this respect if you want to achieve your business objectives. This ensures employees’ compliance with the organizational principles as well. Failure to properly communicate your expectations to your team is one factor that spoils the team’s morale.
7. Not caring to build a good rapport with the remote team
   A sense of mutual understanding and camaraderie among an organization’s members is crucial for the efficient working of the remote team and overall business success. If you fail to strengthen your employees’ collaboration among themselves and their bonding, it will result in a lack of confidence and a poor sense of belonging at personal levels.
8. Disrespecting employees’ personal space during remote work
   People face several challenges when balancing their professional and personal responsibilities, especially when they work remotely. Working from their homes may not be a comfortable experience for everyone. Remember to show the minimum etiquette and be empathetic with your team through simple gestures such as giving heads up before communicating and allowing them to take part in fixing deadlines.

Wrap –Up

By building a mutually beneficial work environment and taking the employees’ suggestions, you can face the challenges thrown by the remote working model. Avoiding the common pitfalls related to remote work will enable you to accomplish your business goals even during such difficult times.