6 Essential Ground Rules for Remote Work

All workplaces need ground rules, and they’re especially important for remote work. When a team is spread out among offices and homes, people may have drastically different ideas of expectations. Ground rules for working hours are critical, especially if people work in different time zones.

Managers should think about these issues:

• The amount of autonomy can team members can expect.

• Resources that will be available.

• Travel that is expected.

• The times are team members expected to be available.

• How to schedule meetings to accommodate each person.

• What people will do if their responsibilities force them to work overtime or outside their scheduled hours.

Giving your team this kind of guidance up front will help them work more effectively, without resentment, and more cohesively.