Use the Force: Strategies to Avoid the Dark Side of Remote-Worker Burnout

Why employ a distributed workforce? How does access to a nation-wide talent pool, decreased overhead, and increased productivity sound? Remote workers have the potential to provide exceptional benefits to companies; so many that the model is practically an industry norm. But there can be a dark side to “living the dream”: remote employees have the potential to develop serious burnout. Without regular breaks inherent in the office workday - water cooler conversations, face to face interactions, and even ramping up for and winding down from the day via a commute - employees can feel overworked and isolated. Burnout can lead to extreme absenteeism, substance abuse, and stress-related health problems.

If you are considering joining a remote team, building a remote business or taking some or part of your office distributed, you need to know about:

• Common misconceptions about remote teams

• Reasons companies fail at supporting remote workers

• Symptoms of burnout, and how to identify them

• Managing remotely

• Pitfalls to avoid

• Steps for reigniting your team’s passion for their work

What you will take away:

• Tactics for managing a healthy remote company

• How to foster a supportive and engaging working environment where productivity flourishes

• How to create or encourage healthy boundaries, strengthen connections, and advocate for self-care

Previous "Live the Dream, Work Remote" Session at DrupalCon: https://events.drupal.org/neworleans2016/sessions/how-keep-your-drupal-developers-happy-and-inspired

About Anne:

Anne Stefanyk is Founder and CEO of Kanopi Studios, a distributed North American website strategy, design and development company specializing in Drupal, WordPress and Ruby on Rails. Kanopi Studios employs 24 full timers, many who have been with Kanopi since inception or at least three years. Together we are building a value driven open source business.