The total workforce in the USA that is working remotely is 58.6%, according to Findstack statistics for the 2022 study on remote workers. Another study by Gallup stated that 72% percent of white-collar workers are in remote work.

This might seem pleasing and wonderful to an outsider but remote workers face a lot of problems. Some struggle to deal with changes in the environment and others are suffering from productivity. The icing on the cake is a technical issue. Tech problems are the biggest challenge remote workers face.

The following mentioned are the most common tech problems remote workers face and tips to overcome them.

IT Support

Almost all the companies have in-house technical and IT support. Whenever an in-house employee faces a technical problem the team solves it quickly. However, in the case of remote work, solving even a little problem is a challenge.

Why do you ask? Firstly, they cannot check the computer and analyze the problem in person. Getting access to your computer is hard for them. Even if they do get control of your system through software they don’t have a configuration setting. Thus, solving issues takes longer.

99% of the employees aren’t tech savvy themselves. Guiding them to solve the problem or getting the required information becomes a challenge itself.

Solution

The company can guide employees to use specific internet connections and have repository software installed for all employees to set up their systems. Implementing asset management software can further streamline these processes.

If possible the company might send IT support personnel physically to your place.

Another easy solution that many companies adopted is to have employees install remote desktop for IT support applications. The software allows the IT team to control any machine remotely. Some remote desktop applications provide the added benefit of monitoring.

Security Risks

Remote work gives freedom to employees and security risks to companies. Security risks are the biggest downside of remote work with the highest risk for companies. With little to no firewall, security patches, and IT support keeping the network secure remote employees are easy targets for hackers.

Solution

To keep your data secure, have firewalls installed by IT support. Prohibit employees from using their personal computers for work and provide them with one. Install all the essential hacker-proof software on the computer before handing it to employees.

Other efficient ways to stay secure are using SaaS software like CAASM, VPNs, and Terminal servers to do work and connect to other employees.

Collaboration and Communication Issues

Collaboration and communication become an issue without the right tools and properly using them. Collaboration and communication in person and in the office happen on completely different levels. The issue is not something that your team has to deal with often.

Solution

A wide variety of collaboration tools are available out there. However, the company just has to standardize one and combine it with the project management tool being used and viola. A combination of slack (for communication) and Jira software (for task and project management) is the most popular.

Internet Connection

The most common problem remote workers face is internet connection issues. Employees complain about slow internet, sometimes no internet, and evade work easy peasy.

The issue is genuine oftentimes but employers hate this excuse the most. In this day and age, it is like “the dog ate my homework”. But companies have to know that domestic internet connections are not as powerful and speedy as the ones available at the office. On top of that, multiple people are using the already slow internet at the same time, which makes the situation worse.

Solution

Companies can either provide or pay employees for better home internet. Standardize one internet connection and service provider, which will also help solve network issues.

Conclusion

We all know some of these issues occurred working from the office as well. Working from home comes with some issues but it presents many benefits as well. For instance, companies don’t have to worry about spending thousands monthly on office rent, office supplies, parking spaces and others.

People do not talk right away about the issues they are facing. Even in the most open organizations and frank work environments, people do not expose the issues whether they are technical or non-technical.

Standardize a work from home strategy and be considerate of employees. Show a positive attitude and try to help your employees whenever it is needed.
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