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-work-related 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.
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