28 Oct Remote Working: OK for NonProfits?
What is the point of an office? In past generations, people went into the office because they had specialized equipment and files — in other words, offices were the only places where people could work. But now, most people have home computers that are as powerful as their work computers, and file sharing and remote server access are easy. A day’s work at home can be just as productive.
That’s why rates of remote work have been rising steadily for nearly two decades. But the conversation that had been simmering for so many years came to a boil during the COVID-19 pandemic, when every employer was forced to consider what a remote office might look like. If you’re a nonprofit manager wondering whether to make your COVID-19 work policies permanent, here are the two most important questions to consider:
What does your mission require?
Some jobs can never be done from home. Store clerks and warehouse employees can’t simply log in from their kitchen tables. But even a job in data entry or file management could be easier in the office. If it’s easier for your employees to communicate with their team or manager in person, you may want to bring them into the office full or part time. As a nonprofit, your first responsibility is to your mission, and that means prioritizing organizational efficiency.
What do your employees want?
Employees remain sharply divided about whether they want to return to the office. According to a CBS News poll from April 2021, just 26% of Americans who work full or part time want to go into the office every workday. Only 19% want to work totally from home. And 41% want some type of hybrid work arrangement. The remaining 14% would drop out of the workforce if it were an option.
Even if you set aside that last 14%, this poll makes it clear that it’s going to be hard to make everyone at your company happy. Some people like having a dedicated workspace, an excuse to chat with co-workers at the coffee maker and the option to talk through projects with their teams without having to log in to Zoom. Others would be happy never to face another commute. And most people are trying to find the best of both worlds. Before you make a decision based on your own needs, ask your rank-and-file employees what their ideal workplace would look like.
Creating the ideal work-from-home setup may not be as pressing an issue as it was in March 2020, but it’s still crucial to keeping your employees happy and your turnover low. Make sure you make the right decision.
This information is provided with the understanding that Payroll Partners is not rendering legal, human resources, or other professional advice or service. Professional advice on specific issues should be sought from a lawyer, HR consultant or other professional.