5 Tips for Handling Flex Scheduling as a Remote Boss
Being the boss of your own small business can offer many benefits such as flexible hours, more control over your workday, and more money in your pocket. However, it can also be challenging to maintain this level of autonomy when you’re working from home or are otherwise unable to interact with coworkers on a daily basis. Flex scheduling gives employees the freedom to set their own schedules and work at their own pace, but as an employer you need to make sure that you’re still able to keep track of what each person is doing at all times.
1) Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
If you’re a remote boss, it’s important to communicate regularly with your team members. This way, you can stay up-to-date on what’s going on and ensure that everyone is on the same page. The worst thing you can do is drop off the face of the earth without any notice. One good idea is to set aside one day each week where you’ll touch base with each person individually. If anything needs attention, this will be an ideal time to tackle these issues before they become bigger problems!
2) Have Time Blocks with Deadlines
One way to approach this is to have time blocks with deadlines. This means that each day, you and your team will have specific times when you are expected to be working on specific tasks. Having this structure will help to keep everyone on track and ensure that deadlines are met. Of course, there will always be some flexibility with this, but it is important to have some sort of system in place.
3) Check in Every Day
- Schedule regular check-ins with your team.
- Let your team know what your availability is like in advance.
- Encourage your team to communicate their availability to you as well.
- Respect each other’s time and schedules.
- Try to be flexible when possible.
- Be understanding when things come up.
- Have a plan B in case things don’t go as planned.
4) Use Project Management Software
If you manage a remote team, you know that one of the challenges can be coordinating everyone’s schedules. This is where project management software can come in handy. By using a tool like Asana or Trello, you can create flexible schedules for your team and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
5) Review Tasks At The End Of Each Week
As a remote boss, one of the best ways to stay on top of your team’s progress is to review tasks at the end of each week. This helps you identify any areas where employees may be slacking off, and also allows you to give credit where it’s due. Plus, it’s a great way to keep communication open between you and your team.
What tips do you have for managing your remote team? Reach out and let us know!