With new ways of working come new challenges, particularly for those managing a remote workforce. A new survey from global workspace provider Regus has identified the expectations of today’s financial services workforce relating to flexible working and performance.
Regus surveyed professionals across the UK to understand attitudes towards remote working reporting and management.
Results show that regular contact is key, and the immediacy of instant messaging is a crucial tool in today’s business environment. 75 per cent of respondents in the financial services sector agreed that remote workers and managers should remain connected via instant messaging apps as well as telephone.
Frequent phone communication remains important, with 86 per cent of sector professionals believing that managers should speak with remote workers several times a week. And over half believe video calls should be implemented at least once a week.
Another clear message to emerge is that working remotely should not eliminate face-to-face meetings. But this time together can be less frequent. 87 per cent of respondents agreed that remote staff should attend monthly meetings with managers.
When it comes to tracking productivity, results were more mixed. The use of IT systems to track and measure levels of work activity was regarded as a necessity by 63 per cent of respondents.
Clearly, decision makers in the financial services sector must strike a balance between staying on top of remote worker productivity without seemingly monitoring every working minute.
Richard Morris, UK CEO, Regus comments: “The flexible working phenomenon has been embraced by businesses of every size as companies look to offer working structures that appeal to the latest generation of employee talent. Now, the challenge for business leaders is to establish reporting and measurement strategies to effectively manage this dispersed workforce.
“This survey gives a clear indication of the current expectations of UK professionals. However, this is not a ‘once and done’ exercise. Regular assessment of tools and techniques is essential in order to take advantage of developing technologies and to ensure that employees continue to feel supported and engaged. Striking the right balance will deliver immediate benefits to both parties – and to business bottom-lines.”