Remote work still an overwhelming challenge for employers , Says FKE

A survey undertaken by the  Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE) shows that most companies have few staff members doing their work remotely. 

Since March this year, the COVID-19 pandemic rendered office work scarce in a number of companies .

According to the survey findings published last week, less than 20% of employees from 43% of the firms that were surveyed work from home. Moreover, 25% are working towards enhancing enhancement of remote working  protocols. 

The FKE Executive Director, Jacqueline Mugo, explained that the COVID-19 pandemic instigated major changes in the workplace for which most employers had not planned. 

Mrs. Mugo added that "From the 10 firms that made arrangements on working from home, only 20 percent of their staff were able to do so. We have held discussions on the future of work but as a long-term plan,” 

The survey findings also showed that 

23 percent of organizations were highly unlikely to make any change that suits the new work mode. 

Mrs. Mugo also acknowledged that resumption of normalcy is what people and businesses are inclined to amid the mess caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

However, she also expressed her optimism of employers adopting the new normal and learning to be more prepared in the future. 

 

FKE further noted that  organizations are gradually embracing change as the usage of ICT infrastructure has increased.

In the context of ICT infrastructure usage, 74% of the organizations surveyed are focused on enhancing the system with robust coverage and speed while 88% of the organizations are already using internet infrastructure for remote meetings.