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All of the companies pushing hard for a return to office are hopefully keeping their remote work muscles sharp. The flexibility it provides was proven during the pandemic, and new research suggests it should remain a priority in the face of other, unforeseen disruptions.
Preparing for Extreme Weather
Companies that lack remote work capabilities are more vulnerable during extreme weather events, which are increasing in frequency. As these events become more common, the importance of remote-work readiness grows, too.
The rate and extremity of these events, however, is surprising — and alarming — many experts. The most recent update to the National Center for Environmental Information billion-dollar weather and climate disasters report shows (as of this writing) that there have already been 19 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each in the United States since the start of the year.
These events included 15 severe storm events, 1 tropical cyclone event, 1 wildfire event and 2 winter storm events.
While the global impact of the weather events is widely reported in the mainstream media, they are also getting attention in business journals that are trying to assess the potential organizational damage these events might cause.
At the end of last year, a Harvard Business Review article suggested that the debate over the pros and cons of remote work we overlooking one key benefit, namely the ability to transition a workforce to remote operations when necessary. The flexibility this provides will become increasingly vital as extreme weather events, driven by a warming climate, continue to rise in frequency.
Developing remote work strategies as a response to extreme events is starting to resonate across digital workplaces, too.
Related Article: How to Prepare for Extreme Weather With Your Digital Workplace
Remote Work Contingency Plans
What is important from the get-go is to ensure that remote work technologies, such as cloud services and collaboration tools, are scalable and secure, said Cordoniq CTO and co-founder Allen Drennan. Companies should plan for such events now rather than later by developing comprehensive remote work policies that account for the potential disruptions caused by climate events, allowing them to maintain continuity in operations, he continued.
“Remote work contingency programs should be in place before a response to extreme climate events occur, including ensuring consistent access to technology, managing increased energy consumption, and maintaining cybersecurity,” he said.
In addition, as more employees work remotely or in hybrid mode, resilient data centers and communication networks become a necessity. To maintain business continuity, all employees — remote, hybrid or onsite — need the ability to work regardless of events, climate-related or otherwise.
Drennan added that by having the necessary technology, policies and security in place, organizations can continue to work safely and productively. The ability to immediately access securely operating global networks that are not compromised due to weather in other locations, are critical to keep synchronous collaborations available and teams working.
He noted how one byproduct of the pandemic was that it created a blueprint for organizations on how to continue operating in the event of a major disruption, which improved their flexibility and resiliency.
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Remote Work Readiness
Several strategies to improve the digital workplace will help make remote work effective in these circumstances, said Mukesh Ram, director at Acquaint Softtech. They include:
Technological Foundation
Investing in the right technology, including tools like VPNs, cloud services and comprehensive cybersecurity measures, ensure employees can work effectively from any location without compromising the company's operational integrity. This is table stakes.
Cultural Adaptation
Additionally, a culture change is needed, if it hasn’t happened already. A remote-friendly culture is based on trust and results, Ram said. Companies need to cultivate an environment where employees are judged on their output and are trusted to manage their responsibilities without constant supervision.
Training and Empowerment
Training employees not only on the use of digital tools but also on the management of their schedules and work environments is also critical, he continued. Empowered employees who can navigate their work-life balance are more productive and satisfied.
Policy Reinforcement
Finally, developing clear policies that support remote work is essential. These policies, Ram added, should cover work hours, data security and employee well-being, ensuring that everyone knows what is expected of them and what they can expect from the company.
“As the world continues to experience a rise in both natural and man-made disruptions, the ability to operate remotely will become a core competency rather than an optional flexibility,” he said. “Businesses that proactively embrace this change will not only survive future disruptions but will thrive.”
Related Article: Building a New Model for Remote Work
Remote Work Builds Resilience
As extreme climate events increasingly disrupt the conventional workplace, the transition to remote work has proven not merely beneficial but essential for organizational resilience, said Stephen Greet, CEO and co-founder of BeamJobs. In fact, for the sake of employee engagement, remote work should be more than a response to climate change, but a key part of workplace strategy.
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He pointed to current research that confirms that enabling remote work is not just a temporary adaptation but a critical evolution in how businesses prepare for and respond to environmental uncertainties.
“This shift is less about avoiding interruptions and more about redefining workplace agility — ensuring that operations can persist seamlessly, irrespective of physical constraints imposed by weather extremes,” he said.
Remote work thus stands out as a crucial strategy, transforming potential vulnerabilities into strengths by decoupling physical presence from productivity. By doing so, he said, companies not only ensure continuity during disruptions but also demonstrate a commitment to employee safety and sustainability, attributes increasingly valued in today's corporate landscape.