Increase in remote work likely a lasting effect of COVID-19

Not so long ago, remote work arrangements were thought of as a nice perk for tech-proficient employ-ees seeking an end to tiresome commutes and a way to enhance work-life balance. Then came the corona-virus and employerand government-mandated measures aimed at slowing the spread of the disease it causes, COVID-19.

Employers not already accustomed to work-from-home employees had to get ready in a hurry, and they still may be tackling questions about how to maintain productivity and legal compliance. Also, while many workers are eager to head back to the office, others may want to continue working remotely, making it nec-essary for employers to explore the pros and cons of expanding remote work options permanently. Read on to learn some of the issues you need to consider as you run your business with more remote workers.

Remote work policies

Employees need to understand management's expectations, so employer policies need to communicate them clearly. A remote work policy needs to outline which workers are allowed (or required) to telework and which ones will be required to be on-site. Take care to avoid dis-crimination when making those decisions.

Policies also need to cover issues such as what hours employees are expected to keep and what kind of communication is required. Communication systems, such as work phones and video conferencing capabilities, also need to be spelled out in the policy.