Successful companies want to make sure their employees are producing successful results. However, remaining productive can take time and effort in a distributed world. That's why organizations are always looking for ways to increase their international remote employee uptime.
Uptime, productivity, and engagement are concepts always surrounding the workplace, and for a good reason. They are some of the main factors contributing to a successful business, so it's no wonder that companies continually worry whether employees are meeting them.
In today's landscape, this concern is not groundless.
The Washington Post recently reported on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics pointing out that in the first half of 2022, productivity had plunged by the sharpest rate since 1947. Not to mention the growing popularity of quiet quitting –not going above and beyond and sticking only to what is expected at work– amongst the younger generation.
Low productivity can hurt business a lot. According to Gallup, low employee engagement costs the global economy $7.8 trillion, accounts for 11% of GDP globally, and suggests a strong link between engagement and performance outcome.
That's why engaged employees who consistently put out great work are necessary for companies to thrive. Ensuring employees are engaged and productive requires that all their needs are met, from equipment management to great company culture.
For remote teams, managers tend to be concerned over productivity thinking employees will slack off without someone watching over them. But it's been repeatedly proven that physicality does not mean more productivity. The same data from the Washington Post mentions that during the start of the pandemic, when remote work was enforced worldwide, productivity peaked at levels not seen in decades.
The key is to have systems that will ensure that employees are motivated, engaged, and ready to produce their best results, regardless of being on-site or remote. In this article, we'll cover why it's important to increase employee uptime and the best ways to do so.
Employee uptime is the amount of time an employee spends online on their work device, which indicates how productive that person is. More time on a device generally means more productivity.
Uptime is directly related to productivity and engagement. As SHRM defines it, employee engagement is the level of commitment and connection an employee has toward an organization. Engaged employees are committed to producing good business outcomes, so their uptime is usually high.
Gallup categorizes employees as engaged, not engaged, or actively disengaged. Engaged employees have their basic needs met and can contribute to a company, have a sense of belonging, and have opportunities to learn and grow.
Employees who are engaged with their work have a more significant impact on business outcomes than those who are not, no matter the industry, company size, nationality, or economic climate.
In short, engaged employees are productive employees.
Employee engagement is usually fueled by a worker's feelings towards work or how comfortable they feel at a company. Purpose, development, a caring manager, ongoing conversations, and a focus on strengths are all key drivers of engagement.
On the other hand, productivity refers to the quantity of work produced by an employee. It's a measurement of the performance gained using a certain amount of input. That is, the results you can get from using the available resources.
Productivity can be affected by many factors, from employee health to workplace conditions. According to Clockify, productivity can be increased by having a good night's sleep, being hydrated and not hungry, as well as having proper working conditions like equipment, noise levels, or room temperature.
Although employers may view uptime as a way of measuring how much time employees spend working, it is important to remember that other things are at stake.
Essentially, when employees are not working, they're losing money for the company and hurting productivity, too. And when employees aren't working efficiently, it can stress the company's operations and bottom line.
The more reason to focus on having engaged employees who can produce positive outcomes for your company. After all, higher levels of employee engagement lead to higher retention rates, greater customer satisfaction, and improved organizational performance.
Ultimately, employees who are happy in their workplace are more likely to be productive and loyal. And as a result, they can help your company thrive.
Here are three benefits of improving employee uptime for remote companies:
When employees increase the amount of time online, they can get more done which, in turn, impacts the company’s overall productivity and results. As for remote employees, the ability to work from home grants them the freedom to choose their schedules, which often translates into working when they feel most productive.
Companies can grow and receive economic benefits when employees improve their output. Making the most of available resources and increasing performance can lead to a greater return on investment for your business.
Because remote employees can work at times when they feel most productive, their output tends to be higher than that of traditional office workers. This means that companies with remote employees can get more done in a shorter amount of time, which is great for profitability.
Putting time, effort, and passion into work can look like going above and beyond to finish a project on time or spending time with clients who need help. In both cases, the care for producing quality work results in better services and products –and happier customers.
For remote employees who value their time and are generally looking to be inspired at work, delivering a quality product or service can be an essential way to feel valued and appreciated.
Uptime, productivity, and engagement all require that employees have their needs met. The easiest way a company can do this is by providing the necessary equipment for daily tasks.
With GroWrk, you can ensure that your employees have the right tools to stay productive. Our IT asset management software for globally distributed teams is helping companies grow and scale in all international markets.
Here's how our services are improving employee uptime:
Onboarding remote employees and ensuring they have their devices on their start date can be complex, but we sweat the logistics, so you only have to click a button. Our global supply chain partnerships and in-house expertise guarantees fast and risk-free deliveries, so devices arrive at your employee's hands right on time.
Equipment downtime can be costly. Each day your employees spend without their equipment is a day lost in productivity. Our platform lets you request a swap for devices that need maintenance, so your employees can keep using the tools they need.
Complying with the highest information security standards, like SOC2 or ISO 27001, is crucial to avoid data breaches or online threats.
We can handle device imaging or MDM enrollment to ensure that each device is set up with the appropriate OS, software, and credentials required for the team member who will use it. This way, you can rest assured that your devices are compliant and your data is protected.
Remote work is allowing companies to hire from a global talent pool. Global hiring may raise concerns over deploying equipment to remote locations on time and the availability of such devices. With GroWrk, it doesn't matter where your employees are located; they will always receive quality devices ready for day one.
Keep your business moving and your employees uninterrupted with GroWrk's Tier 1 IT support. We'll take care of your requests so your team can get back to work.
Ultimately, increasing your employee uptime is a long-term investment. Increased employee uptime means increased productivity and achieving business goals.
Most importantly, it means having happier and healthier employees who spend their time providing the value that your organization needs.
GroWrk can help your team stay productive by providing equipment management in more than 150 countries. You can easily set up, support, and scale your distributed workforce through our platform. Request a demo today.