Jobs no longer stick to the standard nine-to-five hours; more and more people are taking on roles that get them out of the office on an increasingly regular basis. In fact, many jobs are done solely outside of common company hours and entirely away from the office. So, how will an increasingly mobile workforce drive change in the workplace? We take a look at how mobile staff are influencing the world of work.
To put it simply: we no longer need to be sitting in an office to get our work done. Brand new technology has enhanced the way mobile workers interact with their managers and take on their tasks. There seemed to be an assumption or fear that those working away from the office won’t be as productive and will take any opportunity to slack off in the hopes their boss won’t notice. Thankfully, the introduction of field service management apps has dispelled this by allowing managers to regularly check the progress of their staff’s tasks. This type of program also ensures a line of communication is always open so staff don’t feel a disconnect with the company.
These cloud-based apps make the benefits of mobile working more appealing, as well as assuring managers that their team is getting work done productively. Technology and mobile staff are both sure to shake up the workforce in 2019, as the expectations of roles continue to shift. It means that work can now be completed any time, any place, which leads to an important question: will offices soon become redundant? It’s likely that some companies will want to avoid heavy rent costs and a mobile workforce could be the solution to reduce these overheads.
Mobile working may have a surprising effect on how the company invests in technology. Clunky desktop computers, landline phones and other bulky devices are becoming far from practical. It’s clear that businesses will seek to invest in more portable devices as mobile working becomes more popular. Slimline tablets and phones are sure to be the top choice in 2019 as this type of staff takes over the workforce - while laptops can at least be used at desks when workers are in the office. According to CEO World Magazine, investing in technology can improve customer interaction, efficiency and productivity, so these changes are worth noting as the new year approaches.
Employees have embraced the personal benefits of fieldwork, making it a popular choice that companies can no longer afford to ignore. According to Proof Hub, flexible workers are happier in their jobs and there is evidence that remote workers are often more engaged with their colleagues. Although this may come as a shock, it’s actually not that surprising when you consider what this type of work can offer. The flexibility is often a major benefit to those with children as it offers them the opportunity to work around childcare and cuts out time spent on commuting to the office.
Flexibility isn’t just welcomed by those with children either. The Telegraph makes a great point that the workplace must accommodate a greater number of older workers due to the retirement being raised to 68. While more mature workers may be fully capable of getting the tasks done to an exceptional standard, flexible working may be more suitable for them as they look to step back from full time hours. The introduction of more companies offering such work in the next couple of years may have a great benefit for those who can’t afford to retire early.
Mobile working is sure to expand the horizons of many job seekers too - and can avoid the need for people to move to overcrowded cities such as London, where house prices and living costs continue to put off younger workers. Whether you’re looking for staff to work from home or need workers in areas far from the business, you can reach a plethora of people that would otherwise struggle to get to the office and position yourself as a forward thinking boss in 2019.
