Navigating remote work in 2023

How to balance employer and employee needs when it comes to remote working

BY Sharon Masige 05 Oct 2023

Working from home has become more normalised since the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are “a range of perspectives” on remote work, according to Frontier Software CEO Nick Southcombe.

While employees may favour the flexibility that comes with remote working, employers still have the desire to have in-person collaboration, he said. And as several employers explore the option of hybrid work, Southcombe said many of them still want to have their employees in the office more often.

“Regardless of the stance taken by employers, it’s become evident that better engagement and satisfaction are key benefits related to meeting employee expectations around working arrangements and preferences,” he said.

The needs of employers and employees

When it comes to remote and hybrid work, the attitudes and strategies around them can vary depending on the company culture, employee preference and the industry.

There is an expectation among employees to have that flexibility to work remotely, Southcombe said. However, employers may believe in-person interactions foster spontaneous discussions and team building activities.

“For some organisations, the belief that employees are more focused and engaged when they are present in a traditional work environment is prevalent,” he said. “They also cite that having employees work from a shared office can enhance the sense of belonging and alignment with the organisation’s values and mission.”

With more organisations having return to office policies, Southcombe warned that companies trying to completely end remote work should “expect resistance” from their employees.

Frontier Software referenced the LinkedIn Global Talent Trends 2023, which found the top three priorities for employees are compensation and benefits, work-life balance and flexible work arrangements.

For employers looking to build an effective hybrid working environment, there are many factors to consider. Frontier Software outlined 15 steps employers can take to accommodate employee preferences while also encouraging productivity and job satisfaction.

Understand diverse employee preferences – consider using surveys or conversations to better understand what your employees need from their work arrangements.
Implement hybrid work models – explore the idea of having a hybrid work model, which will enable in-person collaboration for employers as well as flexibility for employees.
Communicate transparently – be open and transparent about your company’s remote work policies, expectations and any changes. This helps manage expectations and build trust.

Read more of Frontier Software’s steps here.