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What is the impact of remote working on productivity?

Remote working has become increasingly popular in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic greatly accelerating this trend. More recently, however, companies appear to be swinging back away from remote work (As City of London Rolls Back Flexible Working, It’s Losing Women – Bloomberg and Flexa Careers | Flexible Workplaces Offering Freedom & Choice).

Fans of remote working cite the positive effect on work-life balance that it brings to the workforce, as well as the savings it brings to businesses who can downsize their offices. Opponents point to the impact on communication and teamwork from not having teams co-located and the difficulty it creates in bringing in and nurturing young talent, who are not as exposed to their colleagues at a key point in their training and development.

Both fans and opponents also use the impact on productivity to bolster their cases. Fans claim it does not impact productivity or even improves it as workers use the extra time to get more done, whereas opponents claim that remote working leads to employees slacking off away from the mindful gazes of their colleagues and bosses.

Given the disparity in views on the impact on productivity and the recent trend we have been seeing from some of our clients towards more in-person working, we thought we’d have a look at what research there is out there:

Positive Impact on Productivity

  1. Increased Productivity: According to a survey by ConnectSolution, 77% of remote workers say they’re more productive when working from home, with 30% doing more work in less time and 24% doing more work in the same period[2]. A study by Stanford of 16,000 workers over nine months found that working from home increased productivity by 13%[5].
  2. Better Work-Life Balance: Remote workers have a better work-life balance, which translates into less stress and anxiety, more happiness and productivity, and more time for hobbies that stimulate them[2].
  3. Healthier Lifestyles: Remote workers enjoy a healthier work-life balance and reduced stress, which can lead to healthier lifestyles[6].

Negative Impact on Productivity

  1. Lower Productivity: Fully remote work is associated with 10% to 20% lower productivity than fully in-person work, according to a working paper published by Stanford’s Institute for Economic Policy and Research[4]. Some papers have linked remote work with productivity declines of between 8 and 19 percent, while others find drops of 4 percent for individual workers[1].
  2. Communication Challenges: Challenges in communicating remotely and lack of motivation are the main issues preventing fully remote workers from being more productive[4].
  3. Distractions: At home, it’s easy to get distracted, procrastinate, or put in less work than those working in the office[5].

Tips for Increasing Productivity in Remote Working

  1. Track Time: Maximize productivity by tracking time[2].
  2. Remove Distractions: Help remote employees figure out their most productive work times and plan their tasks around these productivity peaks[6].
  3. Use To-Do Lists: To-do lists can help increase productivity among remote employees[6].
  4. Communication: When you and your team work remotely, communication is critical[6].

 

In conclusion, the impact of remote working on productivity is mixed and relies on surveys based on self-reporting rather than observation and independent measurement. While some studies show that remote working can increase productivity, others show that it can lead to lower productivity. However, the research also shows that there are ways to increase productivity in remote working, such as tracking time, removing distractions, using to-do lists, and improving communication.

Sources:

[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/business/remote-work-effects.html

[2] https://timeular.com/blog/remote-working-affects-productivity/

[3] https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-relations/pages/is-remote-work-to-blame-for-lower-productivity.aspx

[4] https://fortune.com/2023/07/06/remote-workers-less-productive-wfh-research/

[5] https://www.apollotechnical.com/working-from-home-productivity-statistics/

[6] https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/15259-working-from-home-more-productive.html

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Crafting an Effective CV: What do Projecting Hiring Managers Look For

As a job applicant you need to pass over at least two hurdles to land that dream job. Firstly, you need to make your application stand out enough to be called for interview. Secondly, you need to impress the company enough to be offered the role over any other interviewees.

In this article, we look at the first of those hurdles. In a market where we regularly get multiple applicants for every role, yet have limited resources and time to read through applications and CVs, what can you do to maximise your chances of us calling you for that first interview?

Whilst having a good CV is essential, you should also consider other ways you can increase your profile with us. For example, we really value having a recommendation from people we know who have worked with you before, so if you can get someone we know to refer you, do so.

It is important to understand that working for Projecting also means working for our clients. We are not only evaluating candidates as a fit for us, but also assessing how well we think you will be able to represent Projecting with our clients.

So, what are some of the things that Projecting hiring managers look for in a CV?

 

  1. Professionalism and Attention to Detail

The saying, “First impressions are lasting impressions,” holds true for CVs. A well-crafted CV immediately conveys professionalism and attention to detail. One of the most noticeable aspects is formatting. Ensure your CV maintains a consistent format throughout, avoiding erratic fonts or colours that distract from the content. Consistency suggests that you are meticulous and capable of maintaining standards, a quality that we look for in our potential hires.

On the topic of formatting, we occasionally receive CVs in unconventional formats. Whilst these CVs are often more visual, most companies, including us, use systems that auto-process CVs which struggle with unconventional formats. We recommend sticking to more traditional formats.

 

  1. Alignment with the Job Posting

We seek candidates who are the perfect fit for the role. If you don’t have the right experience and skills, your CV will be quickly discarded. To demonstrate your suitability, your CV should align with the job posting. Carefully review the job description and tailor your CV to highlight relevant experiences, skills, and qualifications that closely match the requirements outlined in the posting. This not only shows that you’ve done your homework but also positions you as an ideal candidate for the position.

 

  1. Communication Skills and Conciseness

Effective communication is a key competency in the roles we look for as any person involved in a project needs to be a good communicator. Your CV serves as a sample of your communication abilities. Write your CV in a clear, concise, and well-structured manner. Avoid verbosity and ensure that your achievements and responsibilities are easy to understand. We particularly appreciate candidates who can convey complex information succinctly, as this skill is vital when interacting with stakeholders in a professional setting.

 

  1. Comprehensiveness and Transparency

Transparency is vital in building trust with potential employers. Your CV should comprehensively cover your professional journey. Be sure to explain any employment gaps, short tenures, or unconventional career changes. Honesty and clarity in addressing these aspects demonstrate integrity and help employers understand the context behind your career choices.

 

In conclusion, put yourself in the shoes of the Projecting person who will be reviewing your CV. Would you be interested in meeting the person who has submitted this CV or is it missing something? Is it clear for someone who doesn’t know you or the companies you have worked at? Does it tick all the boxes that Projecting is looking for?

 

 

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