![\"Work](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Work-overload-in-remote-teams-cover.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe effects of work overload on remote employees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Buffer\u2019s 2023 State of Remote Work survey<\/a> showed that 98% of remote workers would recommend it to others and that their experience with remote work is mostly positive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But, there\u2019s more under the surface. Here\u2019s how a remote environment can increase the chances people end up working more than they\u2019re supposed to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When working remotely, it\u2019s apparently easy to think: \u201cSure, I\u2019ve clocked in my time for the day \u2014 but, I just want to finish this one more thing\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The previously mentioned Buffer study seems to support this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, it shows that 81% of respondents claim to check their email even outside of work hours \u2014 63% do so on weekends, and 34% on vacation. Furthermore, almost half outright say they often work outside of work hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This isn\u2019t surprising, as 67% of remote workers feel like they need to be available all the time, according to Zippia\u2019s research on work burnout<\/a>. It also shows that only 30% of remote workers never work on the weekends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This pressure comes naturally \u2014 if your phone\/laptop is with you all the time, why can\u2019t you just reply to your team\u2019s emails or messages? The thing with these actions is that they seem insignificant, but contribute highly to the feeling of never actually \u201cleaving work\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the aforementioned Zippia study, 46% of respondents think remote work doesn\u2019t offer clear boundaries between work and personal life. As you work where you sleep, you\u2019ll sleep where you work. And when you \u201cwake up\u201d \u2014 you need to catch up on your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many distractions can come from this. For example, that new gaming console that\u2019s in your field of view while you work, tempting you. Hobbies and interests seem very alluring when compared to arduous work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But, if you let yourself be distracted, you\u2019ll end up with unattended work, and you\u2019ll probably stay online more than you otherwise would have. All the while, your gaming experience won\u2019t be as fun, as you\u2019ll constantly be bugged by the unfinished task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More distractions can be found in household chores. Even though being on top of chores feels rewarding, they can cause the same stress \u2014 working late with the weight of unfinished tasks looming large over you the whole day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even worse, all those tasks will likely start piling up, creating an overloaded task schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When managing a remote team, your responsibilities include both leadership and motivation \u2014 which includes helping team members out with their workloads \u2014 here\u2019s what you can do to help them avoid<\/em> work overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A good way to separate work from personal life is to create a set platform where tasks are completed. The best solution for this comes in the form of project management tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can utilize Gantt chart software<\/a> to help you see how a team member\u2019s tasks overlap. If a team member is working on too many tasks at the same time, they might be overworked. Make sure to check in with them, and adjust their timeline accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Create a free Plaky account<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udca1Plaky Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Need help with choosing the right remote work tool(s)? We have just the article for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most important help you can offer as a manager is to remind your team to unplug. Leave notes encouraging your team that a reply isn\u2019t urgent if they\u2019re finished working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you catch a coworker online outside of working hours, suggest that they unplug. Create a culture where no task is more important than mental health \u2014 your team will be grateful, and as work overload drops, you\u2019ll see productivity rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remind your team to use vacation days, and to completely disconnect while on vacation. Encourage taking sick days if they feel like they cannot work \u2014 just because they won\u2019t spread a cold in the office, doesn\u2019t mean they can think clearly to perform tasks with a fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regular check-in meetings can go a long way to make sure that your team is not overworked. Try to schedule weekly check-ins, where each team member can share what they\u2019ve been working on, and how they feel with their workload \u2014 and use that insight if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Encouraging a culture of open communication in your team will help them feel at ease to talk about any issues they have with overwork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, this title sounds contradicting \u2014 but it\u2019s possible. Flexible work hours can reduce stress, as they allow team members to determine when<\/em> they\u2019re most productive. They also allow your team to \u201ccool off\u201d and take a break whenever they need one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, you should still encourage them to determine their strict hours. This means that they need to set their own time-allotted boundary between personal time and work. Maybe ask them to notify when they\u2019re logging on and off for the day, or to have them track their work hours on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another way to discourage overwork is to properly manage task expectations with your team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When your team is clear on what\u2019s expected of them, they\u2019re less likely to stress over their tasks. Consequently, they won\u2019t feel the need to stay on task for longer than necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Setting realistic expectations can be done in collaboration with your team members. Consult your team on how long they think it\u2019ll take to complete a task. This way, you\u2019ll be sure they can handle the amount of work you\u2019re giving them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enjoy efficient task management in Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Whenever your team is overwhelmed with tasks, it\u2019s helpful to adjust their priority. Then, your team members can tackle tasks one by one, without the feeling of overwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, you can use the Impact Effort matrix<\/a>. This prioritization method classifies tasks into 4 categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another simple prioritization method is the Eisenhower matrix. It\u2019s similar to the Impact Effort matrix, but it replaces \u201ceffort\u201d with \u201cimportance\u201d and \u201cimpact\u201d with \u201curgency\u201d. After dividing tasks, prioritize them by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a remote setting, it\u2019s difficult to be aware of everything that every team member is up to \u2014 especially with insufficient project collaboration<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Improving collaboration will improve openness with everyone\u2019s tasks, which will make spotting overwork much easier. Similarly, good collaboration fosters open communication \u2014 which will make it easier for your team to honestly let you know if they\u2019re overworked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Boost team collaboration with Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n As we mentioned, reducing your team’s work overload is easy if you keep everything in one place. With Plaky<\/a> by CAKE.com<\/a>, task organization and communication are centralized, so even if your team members don\u2019t have a physical workspace, they\u2019ll have a virtual one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can set clear tasks, communicate effectively, and reduce information overload by ensuring relevant-only notifications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Improve your project insight with Plaky\u2019s integrated Clockify time tracker. Use it to check how much time your team members spend on their tasks and to ensure they stay within working hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\nForgetting to unplug<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Being distracted <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to reduce remote work overload as a manager<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Maintain a neat online work environment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Gantt](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/gantt-view-in-Plaky-1-1024x643.png\")
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Encourage unplugging<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Organize regular check-ins and virtual team building<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Encourage strict but flexible work hours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Set clear and realistic task expectations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Manage tasks by importance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Encourage collaboration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Use Plaky by CAKE.com to reduce work overload in remote teams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n