The main problem with remote work is difficulties with self-organization and procrastination among employees. This creates problems for the entire team and the company as a whole. Owners of affiliate programs lose money and customer trust by spending time on discipline. Let’s look at the causes and solutions.

Do you need to know about your subordinates’ home affairs?

Marina Sycheva, author of this article, suggests separating work and personal (home) life. There must be boundaries, otherwise difficulties will arise.

If an employee does their job well, it is unlikely that the manager will delve into their home affairs. After all, everything is fine, and the work is being done on time.

It’s a different matter if an employee misses deadlines and cites problems at home. In this case, you need to start a dialogue to understand:

Why is the employee not fulfilling their duties?

For example, their beloved cat is in heat, and they urgently need to find a mate for her, and this prevents them from concentrating on work…

But seriously, situations vary. From family problems to mental illness. First, you need to determine what the problem is.

Are there really valid reasons?

For some people, looking for a cat is a real reason to be distracted from work, as funny as it may seem. In this case, it is better to discuss certain issues in advance and resolve them.

Make a list of valid reasons and make sure everyone is familiar with it. For example, in the case of illness, family tragedy, etc., the deadline may be extended or the employee may be granted leave.

Is the subordinate willing to remedy the situation?

Find out what options they can offer and consider whether they are acceptable to you. If you are not satisfied with any of them, offer your own options. Look for a compromise.

Help if the situation requires it. For example, an employee has been working overtime for a long time for some reason and is exhausted. In this case, it is better to give them a couple of days off than to pay for a week of sick leave.

These questions will help you get a picture of the situation and decide what to do. They will also show that you are a sensitive and thoughtful leader who values your employees and is willing to meet them halfway when it is really necessary. Today, this is more important than ever in the workplace.

How can you help employees who work remotely?

Here are a few recommendations. Not all of them are universal, but 1-2 from the list will definitely suit you. And the sooner you implement them, the faster they will pay off.

Financial rewards. As a rule, money is the main motivator. This includes a good salary, bonuses for achieving goals, regular bonuses, and much more. It all depends on the company’s budget and policy.

There are employees who love their work and are passionate about it, without being tied to a specific salary. For them, the creative process and management approval are more important. In this case, don’t skimp on praise, give the employee interesting projects, and free them from unnecessary routine tasks.

Significant increase in productivity. It would be great to hold a master class on increasing productivity. Not everyone knows how to plan their day and has time management skills. Especially if remote work came suddenly and you need to adjust from the usual office routine.

Inviting an expert (business coach) to conduct training will be much cheaper than working individually or dealing with the consequences of employee unproductivity.

Reporting. Convenient and regular reporting is easy to set up, as there are now all the tools you need for this: CRM systems, special messengers, and so on.

Appoint someone responsible for the work so that they can monitor themselves and their colleagues at every stage and report to the manager before the deadline. Then employees will be able to correct mistakes in time. And you will clearly see what went wrong and when.

Workplace and schedule. Provide employees with everything they need to work outside the office. Let’s say you have an editor on your team. Try to provide them with everything they need to work: a powerful computer with Adobe Premier and After Effects installed, headphones, and good speakers.

Introduce a flexible schedule: for example, work can start between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. You can use a regular chatbot or CRM system capabilities for monitoring.

Manager behavior. The manager must set an example for their subordinates, and this is not up for discussion. If the boss does not meet deadlines, does not provide a work plan, or is unavailable during working hours, employees will decide that they can behave irresponsibly.

 How can you avoid losing your team?

The main thing is to avoid extremes. Find a happy medium: maintain a human relationship with your employees, but don’t create the impression that you are their “friend.”

If you completely ignore their needs, your subordinates will be dissatisfied and will leave an indifferent boss at the first opportunity. For example, an employee may ask for time off for family reasons or need time to recover from illness.

When management is accommodating in such matters, employees feel that they are important. The risk of them leaving will decrease, and the quality of their work will improve.

But don’t go overboard. If you befriend your employees, delve into any problems, and make concessions, there is a chance that they will take advantage of you and always find excuses not to work properly.

Therefore, you should not pay too much attention to personal issues during working hours. Organize regular informal one-on-one meetings in a comfortable setting where you can talk to each subordinate face to face. For example, one hour every couple of weeks.

Spend your free time together from time to time: trips to the countryside, conferences, business lunches. This will bring the team closer together, and employees will be able to get to know each other and you from a different perspective.

What to do if an employee shirks work and lets others down? Fire them or understand them?

Always start with the reason. Why did the employee start cheating? What happened? Build a dialogue and clarify the reason without accusations or emotions.

If the employee is open to dialogue and has reasons — for example, resentment towards the manager or colleagues — you need to find a compromise and set boundaries. Personal relationships should not interfere with work.

If the employee is unresponsive, set boundaries and warn them of the consequences. For example, if the task is not completed on time, a fine or dismissal will follow.

And then the standard procedure: warning => reprimand (fine) => dismissal, because profit and results are important in business. If a subordinate lets their manager down more than once, their value as an employee is questionable. Yes, even if they are a great person. That is why it is important to separate work and personal relationships.

What to do if an employee cannot work properly from home?

There are three options: either they learn to work from home, return to the office, or find a suitable place (coffee shop, coworking space). If this is not possible, then, unfortunately, they will have to look for another job.

Here are some recommendations for quickly adapting to remote work

1. Organize your space so that you enjoy working. Remove anything that interferes with your work, especially gadgets, and keep your workplace tidy.

2. Your family members should not distract you during working hours, except in emergencies, of course. Let them know your schedule and don’t let them distract you during working hours. Leave personal matters for your break or the end of the working day.

3. If you find it difficult to concentrate on affiliate marketing, try working with a timer. For example, 45 minutes of work, then a 15-minute break (exercise, tea/coffee, snack). Some people may find the “pomodoro technique” suitable — 25 minutes of work, 5 minutes of break. Experiment, adjust the time to suit you until you find the optimal option;

4.    When there are children in the family, it will most likely be difficult for them to wait for the end of the working day. Pay attention to them during breaks. It’s great if you can set aside certain hours for your children so that they gradually get used to your schedule and know when they can approach you. Let it be even 20 minutes, but devote that time only to your child, without being distracted by anything else.

Paying for psychotherapy for employees — a trend or a new necessity?

Psychotherapy for employees is at the discretion of the manager, as the company does not always have the funds to pay for such services.

Sometimes such expenses will be beneficial to both parties. For example, when an employee really has problems that they cannot cope with. But let’s be honest: not everyone needs a psychologist. For some people, it will be more of an entertainment than work on their inner world.

Group therapy is an alternative, but it is not a panacea. It can improve communication and increase team productivity, but it cannot resolve childhood traumas or family conflicts. The root causes are often found there.

FAQ: Burnout prevention in practice

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions and practical recommendations on what to do when work becomes overwhelming and you feel like giving up. Don’t rush into anything; take a moment to reflect on your situation first.

What to do if you can’t concentrate?

Try to understand the reasons for your condition, reflect on it, and adopt new habits. Ask yourself questions. What is preventing you from concentrating? How does this make you feel? What has helped you get out of this state before?

What to do if you don’t like your job?

Refer to your past experience. Why do you work if you don’t like what you do? For what/whom? If there is no clear goal — for example, you earn well, and it is this income from the Internet that will help you save up for a new apartment — ideally, change your activity and start working for pleasure.

What to do about procrastination?

If you tend to procrastinate, i.e., constantly put off work until “later,” “tomorrow,” or “someday,” try the following:

•    Make a task list and set realistic deadlines for yourself.

•    Set aside separate time for breaks and spend it however you want. And yes, allow yourself to do nothing — it’s okay;

•    Do one task at a time, don’t get distracted by others, checking messengers and email;

•    Reward yourself with enjoyable activities after work, come up with a reward that will motivate you;

•    Don’t beat yourself up for another “break.” Everyone needs time to develop discipline.

• Don’t blame yourself for failure; instead, look for the cause. For example, it often happens that a task is difficult and hard to get started on. Start small and gradually pick up speed, or ask for help. It’s not scary, but you’ll save time and energy.

How to deal with burnout?

The best way is to change your activity, switch to a hobby, and give yourself a chance to recover.

If you feel that it is not getting any easier, take a day off and increase your hours of sleep and rest without gadgets. Spend time in nature or at the pool — this is a good way to relieve tension.

Don’t hesitate to ask your loved ones for support and specialists for help.

When should you see a psychologist?

When you don’t have the strength to cope on your own, or when you feel like you’re stuck at some stage.

If there is no one around who can listen to you, a psychologist will take on this role and help you recover using professional methods. At the same time, a specialist is always objective and does not give unsolicited advice, which loved ones sometimes tend to do.

Is it possible to do without a psychologist?

Yes, if you feel that you are able to take control of the situation and your condition is gradually improving.

Sometimes you need an endocrinologist rather than a psychologist. Hormonal imbalances in the body are often the cause of mental instability. Therefore, it is important to understand what is happening to you. A good psychologist will first refer you to a therapist for a referral for tests.

What should you do if the psychologist does not help?

Look for another psychologist. Unfortunately, there is no universal specialist who is suitable for everyone. It takes time to find the right one, the one with whom you will work well and everything will start to improve.