KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): Remote workers show 37% more discretionary effort and 70% higher performance than their office-going counterparts.

In a report last week, technology research and consulting firm Gartner Inc said that as organisations begin to shift to permanent remote work arrangements, communications leaders have the opportunity to make an impact.

However, it said that in order to be successful, communications leaders must work with the executive team to build a remote-friendly culture and organizational community.

Gartner said remote work is not without its challenges.

While remote workers  exhibit more discretionary effort, two in three aren’t truly engaged, according to Gartner’s 2020 Global Labor Market Survey.

Remote workers are also more  likely to quit compared to their office-going counterparts.

It said this flight risk  should be of particular concern in today’s environment, given the relative novelty of remote work and how difficult it is for communications leaders to  get information about the experience their newly remote workforce desires.

It said the fact that remote work is only going to increase exacerbates this problem.

Gartner said to ensure remote workers continue to remain engaged and productive, organisations must effectively manage the remote-worker experience.