Nowadays, remote work is commonplace in many businesses and companies. According to Findstack, as of 2021, 77% of remote workers are more productive in their work. As a result, working from home has become more desirable in businesses.
However, remote work should still be treated as a responsibility. That means having ethics in remote work. With that in mind, here are 10 rules of ethics to follow when incorporating remote work into your business:
- You Must Communicate Effectively
Remote work has now made it easier for workers, colleagues, and supervisors to effectively communicate with each other. With platforms like Zoom making strides in human interactions, it’s important to use them for effective communication. Instead of you or your remote workers feeling isolated in working, you can use platforms to create an overall positive connection with each other.
- Respect One Another
Much like working in a traditional office setting, you should still respect your coworkers, supervisors, etc. online. Answer questions, help out in projects, compliment people, and say “thank you.” Even though remote work is done online, it’s still important to have human interactions through respectful gestures and work.
- Be Consistent With Your Work
Consistency is also important in remote work. When you produce work on a regular basis, then you’re showing everyone else in the company on how responsible and active you are.
Create a schedule which will help you balance work and life. For example, if you want to work in the mornings and have plenty of free time in the afternoons and evenings, then make that known when creating a work-life schedule. Once you establish a schedule, stick to it.
- Be Sincere And Punctual
First, sincerity is being honest about your remote work. If you’re slacking off on your work, then that’s not being sincere about your job.
Second, punctuality refers to being on time. In the case of remote work, that means turning in assignments and deliverables on time. Turning in work late is not being punctual.
- Take Advantage Of Video Calls
Video calls are now commonplace in the world of remote work. People can do video calls in the following platforms (which are free and inexpensive):
- Zoom
- Skype
- Google Hangouts, etc.
Also, video calls allow you to connect with people on a more personal note, rather than feeling like you’re talking to an inanimate object.
Be sure to have great Internet connection, so that video calls aren’t disrupted by poor connections.
- Strive To Produce High-Quality Work
As you connect with people online, make sure that your work is high quality as well. Putting out rushed work can jeopardize your reputation in your company. Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean that now is the time to slack off.
Therefore, it’s important to put out good and honest work. If you ever run into problems during your work time, you should take it up with your supervisor(s) right away.
- Have Meaningful One-On-Ones
Make sure that you have great one-on-ones with workers, supervisors, etc. If you schedule one-on-ones, don’t ever cancel them, unless there’s a family or medical emergency. Establish an effective one-on-one schedule that considers the following factors:
- Your schedule(s)
- Other people’s schedules
- Off times (established by you and your remote team), etc.
- Practice Self-Motivation
When you motivate yourself, you’re getting work done. In fact, self-motivation has you do more than what you’ve would’ve done without is. It helps you:
- Follow a schedule.
- Take notes.
- Respond to timely messages.
- Balance work and life; etc.
Motivation will come easy as you stick to it.
- Build A Positive Workplace Culture
Positivity is key in remote work. So, create a positive atmosphere when working remotely. Creating a positive atmosphere can create a great workplace culture, because you’re being more inclusive, meaning that no one is left out in anything.
- Have A Proper Work-Life Balance
Finally, work and life should be treated as two different entities. In other words, there’s a time and a place for fun, and a time and place for professionalism. Being at your computer working is considered “office hours,” while life and family are considered “off hours.”
Conclusion
Remote work is already the norm in the workforce. However, even when working from home, you should still think ethical as you work. By keeping these 10 rules in mind, you’ll succeed in your remote work without compromising productivity and reputation.
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