- New research shows most employees (87%) feel at least somewhat ready to make the shift to working from home (WFH) if required
- The majority (77%) expect companies to be more accepting of WFH policies after the pandemic passes
Research just released by Lenovo shows that employees and businesses are adapting to work from home (WFH) arrangements, with smart technologies having already enabled the rise of a global workforce that stays connected in a work-from-anywhere world.
With the government extending the enhanced community quarantine to May 15 in Metro Manila and other high-risk areas to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, the Philippines is joining the worldwide trend of encouraging people to work from home wherever feasible to intensify social distancing.
“Our survey suggests that the employee experience was already changing before the pandemic hit,” said Michael Ngan, President and General Manager of Lenovo Philippines. This confirms that corporate technology investments are paying off, as most people now feel productive at home and believe that the workforce will move more in this direction once the crisis has passed.
The Lenovo study1, which looked at employee attitudes towards WFH in China, Japan, Germany, Italy, and the US, found that a majority of employees (87%) felt at least somewhat ready to make the shift to WFH when required. Most had already been encouraged (46%) or required (26%) to WFH as part of COVID-19 mitigation measures.
Worldwide, it has made the rapid adoption of WFH policies by the increasing sophistication and affordability of smart mobile technology, which has enabled many employees to work when away from their desk. The Millennials and Generation Z employees who make up nearly 60% of the workforce today grew up with a video on demand, networked video games, and video communication platforms.
In late February 2020, 44% of respondents said that they already offer remote working as an employee benefit to either all of their staff or select employees and functions.
“At a time when all companies need to navigate uncertainty and keep their business running, technology enables them to keep moving forward. Companies need to adjust now and ensure their employees have the video tools, technology, and training required to succeed today and in a future where more remote working may be the norm,” Ngan added.
Lenovo’s Tips for a Productive Remote Workforce
- Get the tech in place: The team will need the right technology for remote work. Laptops need to be easy to carry, seamlessly integrated with the corporate infrastructure, and installed with video conferencing technology and other collaboration tools. Accessories like noise-cancelling headphones and additional large monitor could also be essential for some workers.
- Hold a team meeting at the same time every day: When teams are working remotely, there’s nothing more important than ongoing communication. Going beyond official emails and work updates, a scheduled team meeting to discuss daily priorities will help everyone stay on track.
- Make video conferencing the new normal: Video conferencing and content-sharing tools keep employees connected across town or around the world and help them avoid feelings of isolation. Employees appreciate the engaging style of video, but they need to have the right technology and the confidence to use it.
- Keep a team chatroom open all day: A single open group chatroom will likely see more chatting than the video channel because it allows more casual shop talk, water-cooler chats, and late night ‘you had to be there’ jokes. Younger professionals will be especially comfortable in this medium, helping others to get on board.
- Encourage flexible work schedules: As COVID-19 impacts schooling, childcare and other services, let your workforce know that you understand that they may be juggling work and home responsibilities in new and challenging ways.
About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$45 billion Fortune 500 company with a vision to become the global leader in Intelligent Transformation through smart devices and infrastructure that create the best user experience. Lenovo manufactures one of the world’s widest portfolio of connected products, including smartphones (Motorola), tablets, PCs (Thinkpad, Yoga, Lenovo Legion) and workstations as well as AR/VR devices and smart home/office solutions. Lenovo’s next generation data center solutions (ThinkSystem, ThinkAgile) are creating the capacity and computing power for the connections that are changing business and society. Lenovo works to inspire the different in everyone and build a smarter future where everyone thrives. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or visit us at https://www.lenovo.com/ph/en/pc.
