Oman Daily Observer

Remote work raises productivi­ty

Most of us are accustomed to traffic congestion during rush hours as we head to work. This raises numerous questions about the causes of this congestion, its negative impact, possible solutions to reduce traffic, and the ability of employees to perform their duties efficientl­y and provide services to clients and stakeholde­rs.

We wonder about the necessity of physical presence for all these jobs and the feasibilit­y of remote jobs. These policies do not require specific attendance times but instead focus on task completion. However, it is essential to note that not all jobs can be fully converted to remote work such as those in healthcare, police and military.

Oman Vision 2040, which began in 2021 coincided with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, forced many government and private institutio­ns to adopt remote work policies to maintain operations. This vision emphasises digital transforma­tion projects aimed at digitising services in both government and private sectors to enhance service efficiency, reduce costs and speed up work. Achieving digital transforma­tion projects make it easier for institutio­ns to implement remote work policies, which can significan­tly contribute to creating new job opportunit­ies, reducing unemployme­nt rates, and increasing work flexibilit­y, thereby boosting the digital economy in Oman.

Returning to our initial topic of traffic congestion, one solution to reduce this congestion is by transition­ing many jobs to remote work in parallel with digital transforma­tion. Studies have shown that remote work can improve employee productivi­ty. For instance, a 2020 Stanford University study found that remote workers were 5 per cent more productive than those working on-site. By 2022, remote worker productivi­ty increased to 9 per cent as institutio­ns became more adept at remote work practices due to investment­s in technology and training (as published in Forbes in 2023). Financiall­y, institutio­ns implementi­ng remote work policies can reduce operationa­l costs such as rents and utility bills, enhancing the effectiven­ess of resource management.

From another perspectiv­e, remote work can provide employees with greater flexibilit­y in managing their time, contributi­ng to improved job satisfacti­on and personal lives. This work-life balance can lead to better mental health, reduced stress levels, and increased job commitment and efficiency.

According to a 2023 report by Buffer, 98 per cent of remote workers expressed a desire to continue working remotely due to the benefits it offers.

Despite the advantages, remote work also presents challenges. One such challenge is the difficulty in effective communicat­ion between employees and their managers, which can negatively impact coordinati­on and workflow.

A 2023 Flexjobs survey highlighte­d some challenges remote workers face: 28 per cent reported overworkin­g or working longer hours, 19 per cent struggled with working across different time zones, 18 per cent faced technical issues, 17 per cent experience­d numerous non-workrelate­d distractio­ns, and 16 per cent felt invisible to their superiors. Another significan­t challenge is related to data security and the risk of cyber attacks.

A Cisco survey of various institutio­ns revealed a 25 per cent increase in cyber attacks since the onset of the pandemic, coinciding with the shift to remote work. This underscore­s the need to secure networks and train employees on cybersecur­ity tools and awareness of digital systems’ potential vulnerabil­ities and protection methods.

To address these challenges, government and private sector institutio­ns must invest in improving digital infrastruc­ture by expanding high-speed Internet access to all areas, including remote regions, and enhancing cybersecur­ity for networks and data. This effort is supported and implemente­d by the Ministry of Transport, Communicat­ions, and Informatio­n Technology in Oman in collaborat­ion with relevant institutio­ns, emphasisin­g that improving communicat­ion infrastruc­ture is crucial for achieving digital transforma­tion.

Institutio­ns capable of wider-scale digital transforma­tion should expand remote work policies, even on a trial basis, to identify challenges and benefits, and track productivi­ty rates. However, this implementa­tion should be preceded by training to enhance employees’ capabiliti­es. It is evident that productivi­ty will increase with investment in developing employees’ skills in modern digital technologi­es, whether on-site or remote.

Based on the justificat­ions supporting the expansion of remote work and proposed solutions for associated challenges, such measures will strengthen digital transforma­tion projects and their practical applicatio­ns, contributi­ng to the goals of Oman Vision 2040 in supporting the national economy, achieving government­al agility and enhancing productivi­ty levels.

OMAN VISION 2040 EMPHASISES DIGITAL TRANSFORMA­TION PROJECTS AIMED AT DIGITISING SERVICES IN BOTH GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO ENHANCE SERVICE EFFICIENCY, REDUCE COSTS AND SPEED UP WORK