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I am someone who has worked remotely myself for years and has also led remote teams. The lessons I learned from my experience not only improved my own productivity, but also strengthened the teams I lead and helped us thrive in the remote work environment.
Approximately 22 million working adults in the U.S. are fully remote, representing approximately 14% of the adult workforce. As remote work continues to increase, my own experience offers valuable insight into the challenges and benefits associated with it. I will share these with you below.
Related: Remote Team Management: 7 Best Practices
1. Productivity suffers
A major challenge for remote teams is maintaining productivity. According to recent surveys, 35% of agencies have seen a drop in productivity since switching to remote work. This decline highlights a critical issue: While remote work offers flexibility, it also creates distractions and disrupts established workflows. As teams adapt to new ways of working, finding effective strategies to maintain productivity and engagement remains a major hurdle for many organizations.
To overcome productivity challenges in remote teams, set clear goals and encourage structured daily routines. This reduces distractions and allows team members to concentrate on their tasks. In some cases, I've found that productivity improves when remote teams work in co-working spaces that are available worldwide.
2. Maintaining team cohesion
One of the biggest challenges when working remotely is maintaining team cohesion. In industries like information technology, where 30.15% of job openings are remote, professionals often find it difficult to foster a sense of unity and collaboration among distributed team members. Additionally, 40% of remote workers miss face-to-face contact with their colleagues, which can lead to feelings of isolation and hinder the spontaneous communication that typically strengthens team bonds.
To address this issue, companies must implement robust virtual team building activities and establish regular, structured check-ins to ensure remote employees stay engaged and connected, maintaining the collaborative spirit essential to effective teamwork.
3. Communication fatigue
While 78% of remote workers are highly engaged, reliance on video conferencing can lead to disconnections and communication fatigue. Even though 67% find virtual meetings just as productive as in-person ones, maintaining team cohesion remains difficult. Additionally, the flexibility of remote work can blur the lines between work and home life, leading to potential burnout. Therefore, it is critical for employees and employers to balance the benefits and challenges of remote work.
To avoid communication fatigue when working remotely, use less video conferencing and rely more on written communication. This gives employees more control over their time and reduces the need for constant, real-time interaction.
4. Promote employee engagement
Remote work can present challenges such as isolation and communication gaps, impacting productivity and job satisfaction. Training programs help address these issues by fostering connection and equipping employees with essential skills. Since 69% of dissatisfied employees feel unappreciated, focusing on training can significantly improve this aspect. By investing in tailored training, companies can increase engagement, improve performance and ensure employees feel valued and connected.
Related: Are Remote Workers Doomed to Feel Isolated and Sad? An HR strategist reveals how to overcome the challenges of working from home.
5. Pay justice
A major challenge in remote work is ensuring pay equity across geographic locations and between genders. Additionally, the shift to remote work has highlighted the persistent gender pay gap. According to a Pew Research Center study, American women typically earned 82 cents for every dollar men earned in 2022. This inequality goes beyond salaries and even impacts business ownership. Female founders often face major challenges when it comes to achieving a fair valuation when selling their company. For every $1 million a female founder receives in a company sale, a male founder could receive $1.5 million for a similar company, reflecting a significant disparity in exit results.
These inequalities can lead to feelings of demotivation and undervaluation among both teleworkers and entrepreneurs. To promote a fair and inclusive remote workplace, companies must ensure that compensation and business opportunities are equal for all employees, regardless of their location or gender, by focusing on the quality and impact of their work.
6. Time zone differences
Dealing with time zone differences is a major challenge when working remotely and often impacts communication and productivity. With 31% of remote workers reporting a mix of asynchronous and synchronous work, balancing schedules across different time zones can be complex. In fact, 19% of remote workers face time zone issues, which can cause delays in responses and hinder collaboration. To mitigate these issues, companies can implement strategies such as rotating meeting times and using asynchronous communication tools to ensure all team members remain engaged and informed, regardless of their location.
7. Ensuring cleanliness in remote workplaces – the hidden challenge
Remote work often extends beyond the home office to shared spaces such as cafes or co-working environments, where cleanliness can be a significant issue. Many teleworkers work in less than ideal conditions and have poor hygiene standards in public or shared areas. This lack of cleanliness can lead to increased health problems such as frequent illnesses, which in turn lead to more sick days and reduced productivity.
One study found that employees in clean workplaces took, on average, 24% fewer sick days than employees in less clean environments. Addressing these cleanliness issues is critical to maintaining a healthy and efficient remote work routine, as workplace cleanliness directly impacts overall work performance and well-being.
8. The critical role of temperature in remote work productivity
As someone who has worked remotely for several years, I have learned that the right environment is critical to productivity. Although I tried different environments – from home offices to beachside co-working spaces – temperature was a factor that consistently impacted my work. In 2018, I decided to explore a co-working space in Ko Lanta, Thailand. While working in a coastal co-working space with enticing ocean views, I found that fluctuating temperatures were a significant distraction. The heat reduced my productivity as my concentration waned and tasks took longer to complete.
According to research from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the ideal workplace temperature is between 70°F and 73°F, which is between 70°F and 75°F (21°C and 23°C). If the temperature rises above this range, cognitive performance can decline significantly. By addressing the temperature issue through adjustments and scheduling changes, I was able to regain my productivity and enjoy the coastal environment without affecting my work. This experience highlights the importance of maintaining a comfortable temperature to improve concentration and efficiency in any remote work environment.
Related: 7 Hidden Challenges of Remote Work—and What Leaders Can Do to Solve Them
In summary, remote work offers flexibility and new opportunities, but also presents challenges that require thoughtful solutions. By addressing issues such as productivity, team cohesion, communication fatigue, and fair compensation, companies can create a more effective and supportive remote work environment.
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