Many businesses have decided to let their employees work from anywhere. However, this setup is not for everyone, and not every job fits it. How do you determine which jobs you can let your employees do remotely?
To determine if a job can be done remotely, evaluate if the tasks of the role can be carried out remotely; if the position requires fieldwork or being in an office regularly; if meetings with coworking or clients are required to be in-person regularly; if your organization provides access to online tools and software; and your competition is offering roles as remote.
The nature and necessities of each job are different. They need varying sets of skills, people, and setups. Some jobs thrive in a remote arrangement, while others do poorly. After all, working from anywhere is only possible for a job where location is not an issue.
Fortunately, you do not have to go through a trial-and-error process. We can give you some guidance on how to determine if your employees can do a job remotely.
What To Consider When Deciding If A Job Can Be Done Remotely
Business owners can no longer ignore the growing demand for remote work. Amy Lavoie
, the Vice President of People Succes at Torch, says:
“Return-to-office plans can carry a dangerous subtext. It may look to employees that, while their leaders had prioritized their well-being and safety in the pandemic’s first stretch, they’re now focusing on business and advancing their own agenda at all costs, leaving employees’ concerns in the wake.”
With this, it is time for employers to look into the chance of transitioning. Or, at least, let some employees do remote work. It is time to look into factors to determine which tasks qualify for it.
1. Most tasks can be done online
The IT industry is among the leading industries that provide remote jobs. This is because most tasks are done online and do not need in-person performance.
Rebecca Pearse is the Global Head of Commercial Development. She says, “With technology as it stands these days, there is no need to go to the office…The solutions available to people to do their job well outshine what was available years ago.” A job is a good candidate for a remote setup if employees can complete it online.
2. Physical meetings with coworkers and clients are not necessary
Some jobs require that you meet with coworkers or clients regularly. There’s a helpful article published in McKinsey & Company. It states, “The potential for remote work depends on the mix of activities undertaken in each occupation and on their physical, spatial, and interpersonal context.”
The healthcare industry is also trying to assess the possibility of remote working. But overall, most activities still require in-person meetings. Minor checkups might be possible over the phone. But more comprehensive physical exams must happen in clinics or hospitals.
On the other hand, companies under remote setup must have a communication plan. They need to help their employees talk and help each other. Scott Olster is a Senior News Editor at LinkedIn. He advises remote workers to “make regular, meaningful communications with colleagues a priority.”
3. It does not involve fieldwork or location-based work
“Great work is not location-bound,” says Brooke Sullivan. She is the Principal People and Talent Leader at Hyperproof. Perhaps we need to rephrase that a bit. Employees can do great work remotely when location is not an integral part of it.
For instance, some engineers can work from anywhere. But construction engineers must visit sites for in-person management.
But jobs that don’t concern locations might be eligible for remote work.
4. There is sufficient remote access to tools and equipment
How can employees bring their job confidently anywhere? They must be able to access tools and equipment that will allow them to do their tasks. The company’s capacity to provide tools affects its suitability for remote transition.
Content Marketer Lydia Abbot advises, “Your company should strip the tool stack down to a minimum…You’ll want to proactively solve for mass confusion when it comes to finding things.”
5. The competitors are already doing it
What is another way to determine if a job is good for remote work? See if competitors let their employees complete the job remotely. That is a sign that you may want to consider it too.
Below is a table of the top eight industries that provide remote jobs.
Source: Employers catch on: remote job posts rise 357% as tech, media lead the way (George Anders, 2021)
Why Transition to a Remote Setup?
Have started to ask about which jobs can be done remotely? That means you can no longer deny that working from anywhere is the future of work. We can even argue that it already is the present.
Sid Sijbrandij, CEO of GitLab Inc., spoke in a Talent on Tap episode of LinkedIn Talent Solutions. He says the greatest benefit of a remote job is, “It’s great for the team member. They save on commuting time, they get that time back, and most of all they get flexibility” (1:31-1:39). In short, going remote benefits a lot of employees. When companies address employees’ concerns, they become more productive.
Related Questions
1. What makes working remotely successful?
Remote work gives employees a greater sense of control. They can tweak the work environment to suit their needs and purposes. The new setup will let them find more ways to boost their productivity.
2. How do I know if my company is ready for remote work?
Are your employees already doing a lot of jobs remotely despite having a physical office? Your company might be ready to consider those jobs for a remote transition. There should be programs and tools in place to support the change.
