How to Assess if a Work from Anywhere Policy is Perfect For Your Company

A work from anywhere policy enables employees to work from any location they choose, as long as it is safe and productive. This includes working from home, co-working spaces, or even on the go while traveling.

There are many benefits to implementing a work from anywhere policy, both for employers and employees. Employees have greater flexibility and freedom with their work schedule and location, which can result in increased productivity and satisfaction. Meanwhile, employers benefit from having a more engaged and motivated workforce, as well as reduced overhead costs associated with office space.

When implemented with adequate tools, training, and preparation, businesses are likely to reap the benefits of a work from anywhere policy. Every member of the team will have greater control over their time and environment, which leads to better work-life integration. But every company is different, so how can you determine if it’s perfect for yours?

Five Key Factors to Know if a Work from Anywhere Policy Is for Your Company

Identify the type of business you run

There are certain businesses where an office space is crucial, such as retail stores or restaurants. Other companies, such as those that are purely online or have field employees, can more easily implement a work from anywhere policy. Take a look at the following company setups and see which one you identify with the most.

Online

If your business is online, then it’s a no-brainer to let your employees work from anywhere. There is a plethora of reliable and accessible tools and resources online to help them do their jobs, no matter where they are. Additionally, most online businesses don’t require their staff to be in a specific location to interact with customers or clients. Top financial advisor Josh Reichman quoted Daniel Pink’s book Drive in support of the online setup, saying, “By rethinking traditional ideas of control — regular office hours, dress codes, numerical targets, and so on — organizations can increase staff autonomy, build trust, and improve innovation and creativity

Field

Field employees are those who travel to meet with clients or customers instead of working in an office. If this describes your company, then you can also implement a work from anywhere policy. Field employees often have more flexibility with their schedule and location. Thus, it makes sense to allow them to work from anywhere convenient for them.

Physical

There are a few ways businesses that need employees on-site can allow their staff to work from anywhere. First is through work from anywhere, which means they can work from home or another location outside of the office. Second is by instituting flexible hours, enabling employees to come in and out of the office at times that work best for them. Third is by offering co-working space memberships, which gives employees access to a shared workspace where they can come and go as they please.

Understand the nature of your work

In setting up a work from anywhere policy, you must first understand the nature of your work. This will help you determine what type of setup would be best for your company and employees.

Task-oriented

Task-oriented work is defined by its repetitive nature and can be done with little interaction with others. This type of work is often best suited for a remote or field setup, as it doesn’t require employees to be in a specific location to get the job done.

People-oriented

This work requires more interaction with others and is often best suited for an office setting. This type of work might include tasks such as customer service, sales, or marketing. However, a work from anywhere setup may also apply to some people-oriented work. This would depend entirely on the products or services your company offers.

Knowledge-oriented

This is characterized by its need for creativity and innovation. This type of work is often best suited for a co-working space setup, as it allows employees to collaborate with others and be inspired by their surroundings.

Analysis-oriented

This work relies on its need for data and numbers. It is often best suited for an office setting, as it requires employees to have access to certain tools and resources sometimes not readily available online.

However, your teams with knowledge- and analysis-oriented work may also prefer a work from anywhere setup. Technological development has empowered employees globally with reliable online collaboration and analysis tools. Remember to consider the preferences of your employees because they know how to do their jobs best.

Know your company culture

In order to set up a work from anywhere policy successfully, you first need to build a strong company culture. Company culture refers to the values, beliefs, and behaviors that make up your organization. For brand consultant and advertiser Lorena Acosta, leadership should be a significant component of a thriving company culture.

She adds, “What the world really needs are true leaders, people who care, people fighting for all of us, not just themselves.” It’s what makes any company unique and is often reflected in the workplace.

There are a few things you should consider when assessing your company culture:

Do your employees value independence or collaboration?
Do they prefer structure or freedom with their work?
What is the overall tone of your workplace? Serious or fun?

Once you have a good understanding of your company culture, you can then begin to assess whether a work from anywhere policy would be a good fit. Once implemented, it’s also the company culture that will help keep your work processes and relationships in harmony.

Assess your budget

Another important factor to consider before going all in with a work from anywhere policy is your budget. This includes both the cost of setting up the infrastructure to support a remote or field workforce and the cost of employee compensation.

Cost to set up the necessary infrastructure

If you’re considering a work from anywhere workforce, you must first assess the cost of setting up the necessary infrastructure. This includes things like VPNs, video conferencing software, security programs, and cloud storage. The total cost will depend on the specific needs of your company.

Cost of employee compensation and benefits

You must also account for the cost of employee compensation. This includes things like salaries, benefits, and other vital work-related expenses. Because your team can work from anywhere, you may also need to assess any changes to health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Cost of unexpected expenses

You should also factor in the cost of unexpected expenses when setting up a work from anywhere policy. This includes things like travel costs, equipment repairs, and software updates.

Evaluate your readiness for a policy change

A work from anywhere setup can be a great way to both empower your employees and improve productivity and engagement. However, it’s not ideal for every company. Before making the switch, it’s important to evaluate if your company is ready for such a policy change.

Self-motivation of employees

Self-motivated employees are more likely to be successful when working from anywhere. If your employees need constant supervision, a work from anywhere policy might not be right for your company.

Management preparedness of supervisors

Not all supervisors are prepared to manage a remote team. If your supervisors are not comfortable with the idea of managing a remote team, a work from anywhere policy might not be a fit option.

Risk of making the switch

There is always a risk associated with making any type of policy change. There are a few types of risk you should consider when assessing your readiness:

Reputational risk. What would be the impact on your company’s reputation if the policy change was unsuccessful?
Financial risk. What would be the financial impact on your company if the policy change was unsuccessful?
Operational risk. What would be the impact on your company’s operations and processes if the policy change was unsuccessful?

If your company is not prepared to handle the risks associated with a work from anywhere policy, it might not be the right time to make the switch.

Employer Concerns with a Work From Anywhere Setup

Besides the question of your company’s compatibility with a work from anywhere policy, business owners and executives often have concerns about productivity, employee engagement and retention, and communication.

Portal A Co-founder Zach Blume says, “A happy team translates directly to the quality of work, and creates an atmosphere of collaboration, learning, and creativity where all can bring their best selves.”

Read on to find out if where your company stands regarding these concerns.

Productivity

The biggest concern for many employers before implementing a work from anywhere policy is productivity. They worry their employees will take advantage of the setup and slack off.

While it’s true that some employees might abuse the policy, research has shown that work from anywhere policies can actually improve productivity. One study by Stanford professor Nicholas Bloom found that employees working from home were 13% more productive than those at the office.

Another study found that employees who worked from home logged more hours than those who worked in an office. This is because they didn’t have to waste time commuting or take breaks to chat with co-workers.

If you’re worried about productivity, keep in mind that work from anywhere policies can actually improve it.

Measuring productivity

There are a few ways to measure productivity in a work from anywhere setup, including:

Tracking the number of hours worked. This can be done using time tracking software or by having employees submit timesheets.
Tracking the results of employees’ work. This can involve things like sales numbers, project completion rates, or customer satisfaction scores.
Asking employees to self-report their own productivity levels. You can do this through surveys or one-on-one meetings with managers or team leaders.

By tracking these metrics, you’ll get a good grasp of whether your employees are productive when working from anywhere.

Engagement

Besides productivity, employee engagement is another important factor to consider. Engaged employees are more likely to be productive and stay with your company.

There are a number of things you can do to increase employee engagement, but research has shown that work from anywhere policies can have a positive impact. One study found that employees who could work from home were more engaged than those who didn’t.

If you want to increase employee engagement, a work from anywhere setup is a viable option.

Retention

Employee retention is another important concern for employers. If your employees are constantly quitting, it can have a negative impact on your business. Not only will you have to keep spending money on recruiting and training new employees, but you’ll also lose the institutional knowledge that comes with experienced workers.

There are a number of things you can do to improve employee retention, but research has shown that a work from anywhere setup can help. One study found that employees who worked from home were less likely to quit their jobs. This is because they felt a sense of autonomy and control over their work-life integration.

Engagement is also a key driver of retention. Thus, increased engagement because of a work from anywhere setup can improve employee retention for your company.

Communication

When your employees are working from anywhere, it’s important to have reliable communication channels in place. This includes things like email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and project management tools. In addition to having these tools, you also need to train your team on how to use them. This ensures that your employees can communicate effectively and avoid any frustration and miscommunications at work.

Factors Influencing the Successful Implementation of Work from Anywhere

Once you’ve assessed if a work from anywhere policy is a perfect fir for your company, you can focus on making adequate preparations from strategy and staff training to equipment and software.

Innovation and digital operations expert John Christian Del Rosario states that “[Work From Anywhere] requires not just digital transformation but also organizational transformation. In addition, this setup needs to be aligned to an overall strategy that makes it a competitive advantage. Work from anywhere is not a plug-and-play policy.”

There are a few things you can do to make sure the transition is a success.

Outline a clear policy

The first step is to outline a clear policy. This policy should include things like the type of work employees can do from anywhere, how often they can work from anywhere, and what expenses will be covered. Establish guidelines and rules that will ensure a smooth-sailing transition.

Communicate the policy change to all employees

Once you have a clear policy in place, it’s important to communicate the change to all your employees. Make sure everyone understands the new policy and what it means for them.

You also need to create a clear communication plan. This should include things tasks and responsibilities of every team member, especially those in charge of coordinating with all employees working from anywhere. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that there are no misunderstandings.

Set up the necessary infrastructure

If you’re going to allow your employees to work from anywhere, you need to make sure you have the right infrastructure in place. This includes things like standardized processes, secure remote access to company systems and tools, reliable communication channels, and adequate security measures.

You also need to make sure your employees have the equipment and supplies to work from anywhere. For example, if they need a laptop or printer, these should be provided by the company. Finally, you need to train your team on the new tools, systems, and processes. Training is crucial for a seamless transition and to prevent miscommunication and missed deadlines.

Establish security measures

When your employees are working from anywhere, they’re more vulnerable to security threats. They’re not on your company’s network, and they might not have access to the same security measures.

There are a number of things you can do to improve security and protect corporate and client data. Learn more through our detailed article on “8 Cybersecurity Tips for Remote Work.”

Evaluate and adjust as needed

Finally, it’s important to evaluate how the new policy is working and make adjustments as needed. This could involve changes to the policy itself or additional support for employees who are struggling to adjust to the new way of working.

Making the switch to a work from anywhere setup can be a great way to improve productivity and engagement, but it’s important to make sure your company is prepared first. By taking the time to assess if a work from anywhere policy is right for your company and then preparing for the switch, you can set your business up for success.

Benefits of a Successful Work from Anywhere Setup

The new norm forced companies all over the world to re-evaluate their workplace policies. While working from home or anywhere might be a temporary solution for some companies, others are seeing the benefits of allowing their employees to work from anywhere permanently.

Improves employee productivity and engagement

A work from anywhere setup empowers employees with the flexibility to work from wherever they feel most productive. This could be at home, at a coffee shop, or even on vacation.

Allowing employees to work from anywhere can also help improve their work-life integration. They would no longer have to spend long hours on commute or buy food during breaks, which can save them time and money.

Helps attract and retain top talent

A work from anywhere policycan also help companies attract and retain top talent. According to Firstbase founder and CEO Chris Herd, who has spoken to 2,000 companies about the work from anywhere setup, “The first reason [companies] are going remote-first is simple — it lets them hire more talented people.”

Talented employees across the globe are often looking for companies that offer flexible work arrangements. If your company has a work from anywhere setup, you’ll be able to attract and retain the best employees. This will give you a competitive advantage in the war for talent.

Reduces office costs

Another benefit of a work from anywhere setup is it helps reduce office costs. If your employees are working from anywhere, you won’t need to lease or maintain a large office space. You can also save on utility costs and office supplies. You can instead reinvest these savings in your company or reallocate them to more pressing expenses.

Work From Anywhere Checklist

Now that we’ve covered the fundamentals of a work from anywhere policy, let’s take a look at this quick checklist of things you need to do.

Assess if a change in policy is ideal for your company.
Define the goals of the policy.
Establish company culture, rules, and guidelines.
Create a clear communication plan and standardized work processes.
Identify the employees who can work from anywhere.
Determine and acquire the resources and tools necessary for the setup
Provide training on how to use the new tools and systems.
Set up security measures.
Evaluate the policy regularly and make changes as needed.

By following these steps, implementing a work from anywhere policy will be successful for your company..