4 signs that a company is actually investing in remote work for the long term

Even into the third year of the pandemic, office workers across the country are still working from home or in a hybrid format. During this time, companies from Twitter to PwC to Robinhood have said they will continue to let their employees work from home even after the risks of Covid-19 have subsided.

But permission to work from home doesn't equate to a good telecommuting experience, says Brie Reynolds, career manager at FlexJobs, a membership service that connects people with telecommuting jobs. And even if workers really want the flexibility of telecommuting, a poor setup where people don't feel supported could cause them to return to the office in a post-pandemic world.

"Applying traditional office processes to a remote environment doesn't work," Reynolds told CNBC Make It.

If you're looking to work from home or in a hybrid environment in the future, here are four signs that a company is truly committed to the future of remote work.

1. Money to set up a home office

Reynolds says that companies that seriously invest in supporting their remote employees also pay them, i.e. H. they give their employees money to set up a home office.

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This includes one-time purchases like office furniture, computer monitors, full-size keyboards and "things that make us feel comfortable in an office," says Reynolds. "This isn't just temporary. People can't work on their laptops for 8 hours every day in the long term."

Some employers also provide remote workers with a monthly or quarterly allowance for recurring costs such as internet or telephone bills.

2. Clear tools and guidelines for remote work

A company that is truly committed to remote work success will have a robust suite of technology and communications tools in place to enable employees to collaborate seamlessly with others.

The company should be clear about what it uses for email, instant messaging, video and voice calls. You should also establish communication guidelines for each platform, Reynolds adds, such as: B. the acceptable working hours for sending emails and messages (and how to delay sending to avoid exceeding these limits), or which meetings should be held via video rather than in camera.

Hybrid situations bring their own challenges. As technology platforms like Google and Microsoft work to improve this, employers should strive to make video calls more engaging, clear and comprehensive. If some employees are in the office while others work remotely, offices must be well equipped with cameras, screens and conference rooms to ensure employees are not excluded from meetings.

3. Social groups for external employees

Another good sign, Reynolds says, is when the company creates dedicated groups for remote workers where they can share best practices and what's working and what needs improvement.

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"If companies are sparking conversations about how to work remotely, if they're doing it well and inviting people to come up with ideas, that's a good sign," she says.

These groups can also create social connections for remote workers to connect with people who aren't on their immediate team.

4. A clear statement about the future of work

Finally, pay attention to a company's official statement on telecommuting or news reports about an announcement. A strong company will be honest about how the office is evolving and how it integrates remote work plans," Reynolds said.

For example, do they have plans for how they will continue to engage in career development, DEI efforts, and community building? Maybe they're investing in redesigning offices to support hybrid teams or hiring senior executives to focus on improving remote work.

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At some traditional employers, particularly in banking and finance, executives say flexible work limits creativity, productivity, networking and a sense of company culture. But the friction depends on how leaders view flexible work, Reynolds says. “Some employers viewed the pandemic as a temporary remote situation and did not work to change their mindset.

But the resources and technologies to support remote workers exist and are improving. A handful of companies have always worked remotely, and a growing number of employers are announcing long-term remote work even after the pandemic. What really makes the difference, Reynolds says, is that executives view these as long-term investments and are willing to make them now.