Remote Work Insights: What Companies Get Right (and Wrong) in the Transition
Over the past few months, the shift to remote work has accelerated dramatically. But are companies embracing it as a long-term strategy, or is it just a temporary fix? What common pitfalls do newly remote organizations face—and how can they build a thriving virtual culture?
We spoke with Sara Sutton, CEO of FlexJobs and founder of Remote.co, who has been a pioneer in remote work since launching FlexJobs in 2007. Here’s her expert perspective on the evolving landscape of distributed teams.
The Rise of Remote Work: A Tipping Point
Q: FlexJobs has been remote since its inception. How has the recent surge in remote adoption impacted your work?
Sara Sutton: While we never wanted a crisis to drive remote work adoption, it has undeniably accelerated the trend by 10–15 years. Companies are now recognizing the benefits—productivity, engagement, and business continuity—that remote work offers. This is a pivotal moment; forward-thinking organizations will integrate remote flexibility permanently.
Hybrid Work Models: Challenges and Opportunities
Q: Can a mix of remote and in-office employees succeed?
Hybrid models can work, but they require intentionality. The biggest challenge? Ensuring inclusion. For example:
- Treat all meetings as virtual-first (even if some attendees are in-office).
- Rethink “office perks” (like Happy Hour Fridays) that exclude remote workers.
- Customize tools and workflows to bridge the gap between locations.
What Remote Workers Actually Want (Beyond Ping-Pong Tables)
Forget office gimmicks. Top remote benefits include:
- Home office stipends (e.g., dual monitors, ergonomic chairs).
- Flexible scheduling to accommodate personal needs.
- Thoughtful culture-building (e.g., birthday gifts, virtual pizza parties).
Tools of the Trade: Building a Remote Tech Stack
FlexJobs relies on:
- Slack for team communication.
- JIRA for project management.
- Zoom for video calls (though Sutton advocates for phone calls to reduce fatigue).
Pro Tip: Avoid tool overload. Regularly audit your stack to eliminate redundancies.
Hiring Remote Talent: Quality Over Quantity
Q: How do you manage hundreds of applications for a single role?
- Be crystal clear in job descriptions to attract the right candidates.
- Use screening tasks (e.g., a 10-minute assignment) to filter applicants early.
- Prioritize phone interviews—they reveal more about a candidate’s communication skills than video.
Intentional Culture: The Heart of Remote Success
Q: How do you foster connection in a virtual team?
- Define core values (e.g., integrity, practiced communication) and live them daily.
- Celebrate small moments (birthdays, personal milestones) to humanize work.
- Encourage empathy—recognize that employees are juggling personal and professional challenges.
Common Remote Work Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming remote work is all-or-nothing: Even fully remote teams benefit from occasional in-person meetups.
- Neglecting workspace setup: Invest in ergonomic tools and dedicated workspaces.
- Over-relying on video calls: Voice calls can reduce fatigue and improve focus.
Final Advice for Newly Remote Companies
- Embrace the opportunity to rethink workflows. Many teams report unexpected boosts in creativity.
- Lead with empathy. The past year has humanized work—use that to strengthen team bonds.
- Focus on outcomes, not hours logged. Trust your team to deliver results, regardless of location.
Remote work isn’t just a trend—it’s the future. By learning from early adopters like Sara Sutton, companies can build resilient, inclusive, and high-performing teams, no matter where they’re based.
🚀 Technology Solutions & Recommendations
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