In recent years, teleworking has become a well-established reality in the professional world. Following the pandemic, a major transformation has taken place in the way we approach work. From now on, this new model is no longer a desire but a requirement which is integrated into the employment contract. This is all the more applicable for young people who clearly state this condition when applying.
So, what would be the impact of this new approach on teleworker performance? How much time must he cover while being in another city or a new country?
A flexible schedule: many positive aspects
For a digital nomad, operate according to flexible hours will be beneficial on more than one level. Finding your accommodation, sorting out administrative procedures and banking procedures will take up a lot of time in the first weeks, hence the importance of having a certain flexibility.
Free employment will allow you to register for language courses if you decide to live this experience in a different country. You will also be able to fully anchor yourself in this new reality by devoting time to integration activities (coworking spaces, events between digital nomads, etc.). If you are experiencing this adventure with your children, schedules for which you are 100 % responsible will allow you tobalance your family life and your professional commitment. Thus, rigidly applying classic hours such as the standard 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. is no longer considered at all in this case.
To this, it is important to add that the digital nomad must devote time to organizing their trips and trips. He must be able to immerse himself in the new culture where he will settle by exploring the historical sites and places of interest of his destination country. His day therefore encompasses a wide planning margin but also networking.
Organization is key
According to recent statistics, around 70 % teleworkers throughout the world do not exceed the threshold of 40 hours of work per week. The minimum hourly volume insured is 10 hours. Part-time digital nomads would automatically be looking for multiple opportunities with different companies. This means that their weekly hourly volume would reflect these conditions. They would therefore work more than a person with the same lifestyle but who would be employed full time.
On a practical level, it would therefore be wise to trust the employee to define your own schedule. This interesting approach will have multiple positive effects. Indeed, the teleworker will not only prove to be more productive, but he will also show more creativity. Wanting to prove his good faith and his commitment to the parent company, he will mobilize all means to honor his missions within the optimal time frame. It is not a question of overworking yourself by working indefinite hours to the point of burnout to prove your moral investment, but to manage to complete your to-do list in an ideal time. In this way, you will work less but much better.
An investment in equal parts
At the start of the popularization of teleworking from abroad, many companies expressed a certain reluctance towards this significant change. Several arguments have been put forward to support this view. This included the fear that the employee would no longer be under the direct control of the parent structure and that he would lose his investment by moving away from the daily life of the company.
Concern for the quality of its service and productivity can also appear on this list. Likewise, the jet lag can be a thorny issue if there is a notable difference between the country where the company is based and the digital nomad's host country. If he moved to Japan or Hawaii, it would certainly be difficult to include him in emergency meetings at 2 a.m.
Although it is the responsibility of the employee to be able to manage their daily tasks without causing delays in the production chain, it is also the responsibility of the company to carry out significant transformations. For example, it is essential to discuss beforehand with the teleworking employee to define what is expected of them on a daily, weekly or monthly plan.
It is also necessary to set time slots where the employee will be clearly available to avoid incidents and delays. This can be accompanied by the installation of an IT device which tracks connection times to the company's IT system, having previously informed the employee.
To conclude, a modern corporate culture undeniably encompasses a trust relationship based on communication and visibility. A joint investment on the part of the two entities concerned will guarantee the smooth running of this experience.
Also, it is favorable not to organize meetings for minor issues. For good reason, this risks encroaching on the personal time of the digital nomad. It is the company's duty to stick to the essentials in order not to overwork the employee and to encourage them to take advantage of the many positive points of their new work adventure from abroad.