Remote working, until recently viewed by many businesses as a temporary fix, is here to stay. As the benefits of employing a remote workforce have become evident, and the downsides have been mitigated by conferencing tools that keep distributed teams in the loop, businesses have extended the offer of remote working – in many cases, making it a permanent fixture. Facebook (FB), Twitter (TWTR), and Google (GOOGL) have all expanded their remote work programs, prompting other companies to follow suit.
To assist businesses in extending their remote working policy and attracting new talent that’s suited to this dynamic, recruitment startup Joonko has launched a dedicated app. Its Remote-Ready planner aids enterprises transitioning to remote work, while helping them gain a competitive edge in the US market. Workforces with a remote work program are perceived as more attractive by potential employees, but the implementation of such initiatives requires care.
Fostering a More Diverse and Distributed Workforce
Joonko is best known for its diversity recruitment software, which is used by companies such as PayPal (PYPL) and Adidas (ADDYY) to create an all-star workforce that is representative of the US population. Diversity in the workplace has become a hot topic, with corporations such as JPMorgan, Adidas, and LinkedIn all addressing the problem head-on. Joonko’s Remote-Ready planners slot into this, helping businesses assess their workforce to determine which positions and departments they can shift to remote work. It also provides information on diverse candidates suited to new roles and the HR-related cost reduction associated with introducing remote positions.
Research has shown that remote workers are typically happier and more productive than their office-bound colleagues. However, businesses must factor in the trade-offs incurred by the loss of social interaction which makes for a cohesive and collaborative workplace. Video conferencing and productivity tools can counter some of these trade-offs, but transitioning to remote working still requires acclimatization.
With remote working and diversity proving to be dominant themes within the business world, Joonko has found its services in demand. “With potential employees expecting companies to have a progressive stance on remote work, you don’t want to find you’ve missed the boat and are unable to attract talent when the lockdown lifts,” says Joonko CEO Ilit Raz. “Remote work is the new normal, and our newest release is a natural advancement as we continue to help companies source top talent, this time with access to diverse talent from all across the US.”
Remote Working Will Soon Just Be ‘Working’
The novelty of remote working has given way to acknowledgement that it will soon become the de facto method of white-collar working. The days of the office may not be numbered, but the era of enterprises opening premises in every major city are. Video-conferencing applications such as Zoom, Skype and Microsoft Teams have taken the place of the boardroom and the water cooler. Scheduling software has replaced swiping in and out.
Denied the ability to interview applicants face-to-face, HR departments have had to devise new ways of scrutinizing potential employees. They are also under instructions to attract more diverse talent that demonstrates a commitment to pursuing equality. Companies that can successfully align the goals of switching to remote working while fostering diversity will see employee satisfaction levels rise, bolstering their ability to attract and retain top talent.
Disclosure: No positions.
