Boon and bane of overcoming telework challenges

What are the main telework challenges?

The main telework challenges are weaker personal bonds, harder performance tracking, and more home distractions.

• Remote teams can struggle to build trust and rapport.
• Managers find it harder to coach and measure output.
• Home life can pull focus away from work.

More and more firms now let staff do remote work. So telework challenges are now a key topic for business owners. According to Remote.co’s Job Prospects and Remote Work Availability report, 63% of surveyed global employees said they would “definitely” look for a new job that offers remote work.

This strong pull toward remote roles shows how much workers value flexibility. For them, the perks are clear: less commuting, less stress, and more time with family. For businesses, the benefits center more on the business model:

• Hire from a large talent pool
• Better employee retention
• Higher employee satisfaction and productivity

However, every opportunity comes with obstacles. In fact, telework challenges keep some smaller firms on the traditional in-office side. For a wider view of the shift, see these work-from-home statistics.

Telework defined

Telework is a simple term for “remote work” or “work-from-home” setup. So it lets an employee do their job from a remote location. It also refers to a setup that lets an employee accomplish work during regular, paid hours, even in a co-working space, as long as the internet is stable.

As telecommuting grows, more employers offer flexibility through a hybrid setup. To support this, PwC reports 63% of respondents prefer a combination of in-person and remote work.

However, some firms still doubt how well work-from-home really works. For them, certain telework challenges may affect how the business runs. For example, Mary Lupisan, CMO of Callhounds Global, shared her view on the 428th episode of the Outsource Accelerator podcast. So she explained why her team leans toward an in-office setup.

Boons of telework opportunities

First, let us look at the main benefits of remote work for employees.

Cost-saving

Telework removes the need to travel to the office. As a result, staff save on fares, gas, and car upkeep. In addition, remote workers can cook at home instead of buying lunches or snacks.

So this perk is not only about money. It also saves time on commuting and packing lunches. However, one telework challenge here is the discipline to use that time well.

Freedom and flexibility

Telecommuting lets staff work at their own pace. So they can set their own schedule and work at their best hours. Some even become digital nomads, since they can work from anywhere. In addition, they can avoid stress by working in a calm space.

Work-life balance

Frequent breaks help staff stay focused and avoid burnout. For example, a study by INC suggests workers take a recharging break every 90 minutes. So remote work lets staff take breaks when needed. As a result, they often stay more motivated and productive. Smart employee engagement tools can support this balance even further.

Boon of telework challenges

Working from home is not always easy. Despite its growing perks, real telework challenges remain. In fact, Mary revealed that “most of [their] clients actually don’t believe in the efficiency of actually working from home.” So let us look at three key drawbacks.

No personal touch

One of the toughest telework challenges is building bonds with coworkers and clients. As a result, it can lead to less trust and understanding between the two sides. For example, Mary noted that “[Callhounds team] are more into personal touch,” so remote work can make collaboration harder.

In addition, most brands want a personal bond with their clients. As she added, this is “especially since we are trying to hone a lot of internal promotions in the company, which I think is also one of the main things that our clients love about us.”

Unmonitored performance

For most firms, “KPIs are very much important.” So weak performance tracking and little one-on-one coaching is a telework challenge that can lower productivity. In fact, employee recognition and help can be hard to give from afar. Meanwhile, feedback and guidance can also be tough to deliver.

Mary believes that “it’s easier for team leads to actually coach [employees] if they are in the room all at once.” Still, she clarified, “There’s no doubt about that. But our KPIs are also as important as they are.”

Distraction

Another common telework challenge is distraction. For example, it is easy to get sidetracked by things around you, even at home. So it can be hard to resist the urge to over-break or nap while distance working.

That is why “most of [Callhound’s] employees are more into working on site, especially because they don’t want to be pulled back by their own beds to not work.” In addition, Mary assures that her employees “enjoy being onsite.” The reason points to the quiet that BPO work often needs.

As she explained, “Since we are a call center, the challenge would always be the background noises. And some of our employees would be staying at a shared space or even having a small family where children would probably be playing.” To ease such issues, many teams invest in the right work-from-home software.

Is telecommuting problematic for smaller companies?

Every approach has boons and banes. In short, there are no perfect systems or business models. Some workers prefer home, while others long to return to the office and meet coworkers.

So the problems above are why some firms resist remote work, and the fear is valid. This is true for smaller companies that are just starting to grow. However, telework challenges shouldn’t be seen as a threat or a problem, but as an approach that needs to be optimized for both sides.

As Mary put it, “The strategy is just to really have the right leaders, [and] experienced managers as well, to help you cope up with any other challenge.” In addition, strong remote employee perks can lift morale and keep teams engaged.

Adaptability helps overcome telework challenges

This flexible work approach has helped many firms keep running. Still, it has also brought several obstacles. Fortunately, firms can beat these telework challenges through adaptability. For example, this means new technology, fresh procedures, and clear rules. It also helps to clear up common remote work myths before you set policy.

If you want to know about Callhounds Global services, you may connect with Mary Lupisan on LinkedIn or email [email protected]. Their team would be happy to answer your business queries. Further, visit Callhounds Global’s official website and listen to episode 428 of the OA podcast here.

Frequently asked questions

What are the biggest telework challenges for managers?

Managers struggle most with tracking output and coaching staff from afar. In addition, they find it harder to give quick feedback. So clear goals and regular check-ins help close that gap.

How can teams reduce distractions while working from home?

A set workspace and fixed hours help a lot. For example, staff can mute alerts and plan tasks in focused blocks. In addition, short, regular breaks keep energy steady through the day.

Does telework really lower business costs?

Yes, often it does. Firms can save on office space, utilities, and supplies. Meanwhile, staff save on fares and meals. Still, some savings shift into tools and software for remote teams.

Is hybrid work better than fully remote work?

For many teams, hybrid offers the best of both. It keeps the flexibility of home with the bonds of office time. So surveys show most workers prefer a mix of the two.

How can small companies make telework succeed?

Start with the right leaders and clear rules. First, set goals that are easy to measure. Next, give staff the tools and perks they need. As a result, small firms can enjoy remote work while keeping output high.