Remote work is more commonplace today than at any time in history. Many companies are reevaluating their work models, especially in light of COVID-19. Technology is a motivating force in offering remote work options. Work once done in the office can now be done anywhere with a computer and an Internet connection. In addition, video chats, communication apps, and other programs (like document sharing) provide platforms for teamwork.

Dependability and communication are essential traits in team members. When these falter or do not exist, it can lead to a breakdown in group trust. While long-term projects typically support relationship building, short-term projects may not allow the time for personal relationships to grow. However, a commitment to shared goals and to one another allows stronger bonds to develop among team members, no matter the duration of the project.

Sometimes working remotely means working while surrounded by family members or roommates. Maybe you don't have a private, dedicated workspace that allows you to work with no disruptions. Maybe you continuously find yourself thinking about work even during your time off. Whatever the case may be, your remote work life will benefit from setting boundaries early on.

Finding and selecting the best talent is a critical element of organizational success. It's essential to have a robustPros & Cons of Hiring Remote Workersrecruitment and selection process to attract the best candidates and hire the most qualified applicant for each position.

COVID has made working remotely the norm within many companies. It's important for managers to remember that communicating with remote workers poses certain challenges. For example, a manager can't simply walk over to an employee's desk to make a quick request. Every exchange is more intentional, and phone calls, video chats, emails, and other forms of conversation can disrupt productivity and workflow.

Companies of every size are faced with a reality once reserved for "future of work" strategies and conversations in the boardroom. That reality is now.

As more Gen Zers enter the labor market, remote work is predicted to become the norm. In fact, by 2028, 73 percent of all teams will have remote employees, according to UpWork's 2019 Future Workforce Report.

Another eye-opening report is the 2018 Global State of Remote Work. It found that 56 percent of employers worldwide currently offer either a completely remote workplace or a hybrid form of remote work.

Adjusting to a remote work schedule and environment can be challenging. Though there are some advantages to a remote work setup—namely, no commute—there are also many obstacles you wouldn’t normally face in an office setting that may keep you from working to your highest level of productivity.

Many in-office roles switched to remote work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the pandemic is ongoing, you may not know when in-person work will resume. For that reason, developing good work-from-home habits in the midst of so much uncertainty will only benefit you in the long run. For those who will continue working remotely even post-pandemic, finding ways to increase productivity while maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential.