With the development of technology, the digital environment has become so intertwined with human life that it cannot be separated. Especially with the spread of COVID-19, there has been a significant increase in the adoption of temporary remote work using these digital environments. This has allowed companies to consider remote work as an option, and it has become a great opportunity for those who struggle with commuting.

  However, there are companies that feel negatively about the immediate introduction of remote work. This is because they believe there are no tasks suitable for remote work and cannot create additional tasks for remote work. Let’s examine this in more detail in four points.

Perception of new work styles

  As mentioned earlier, there are increasing ways to work without being bound by time or place. However, there is also a perception of discomfort about not getting to know colleagues in the same workplace and doing the same job without meeting. While there may be variations depending on the work, introducing some remote work in workplaces that do not require excessive social activities can be a good approach. It can enhance productivity and bring balance to the lives of both the disabled and non-disabled. The perception that one must commute at the same time and that certain results can only be achieved by staying in place for extended periods is similar.

Positions based on in-office work

  There are businesses that operate based on the premise of working onsite. In industries such as manufacturing or services, there may be tasks that cannot be performed without being present. However, in many cases, regardless of the field, it is possible to manage remote work by introducing appropriate IT tools.

Breaking down work processes

  One reason remote work feels burdensome is that work processes are not broken down. To introduce remote work, it is necessary to decompose each work process and divide tasks into those that can be performed remotely and those that cannot. Within a single process, some tasks can be sufficiently handled by remote workers, while others must be resolved on site. If we break down and separate the processes and assign the possible tasks to remote workers, the speed and efficiency of work will increase.

Concerns from a security perspective

  One of the main concerns when introducing remote work is information security. Many managers and executives may worry about information leaks or malware infections occurring while working outside the company. What is important is to identify in advance what risks may arise from introducing remote work and implement countermeasures. Adequate preparation can be done through security training for employees, rule maintenance, and collecting access logs via VPN (Virtual Private Network).

In conclusion

  Remote work for both disabled and non-disabled individuals can significantly substitute in-person work if desired. Improving workflow and optimizing tasks will allow for finding work or tasks that can be eliminated.