Remote CEO pushes for asynchronous work

CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — Human resources (HR) platform Remote is advocating for the adoption of asynchronous work models, suggesting a shift from traditional work schedules to enhance global team collaboration. This approach allows for flexibility across different time zones, enabling companies to access a wider talent pool and potentially increase productivity.
In an interview with HRM Asia, Job van der Voort, CEO and Co-Founder at Remote, explains how async fosters a culture of trust, autonomy, and flexibility, enabling individuals and teams to thrive on their own terms.
“Asynchronous work, or async when shortened, is the practice of working on a team that does not require all members to be online simultaneously,” says van der Voort. “It’s become more prominent as organizations become more global and teams become more distributed.”
The company’s Remote Workforce Report 2023 found that 44% of organizations are increasing their international hiring, which means more people are working together across more time zones.
Remote itself uses async work because it has found it to be the best way to work, fostering a global, productive culture that empowers its teams.
“Async work provides flexibility across diverse time zones, but mostly, it’s also about setting the right culture,” van der Voort adds.
“Async work prioritizes productivity and outcomes, and it directly sends a message to your team that the organization has a results-oriented culture.”
Async work can sometimes feel isolating, but organizations can foster team spirit across a distributed workforce by ensuring clear communication and expectations, using real-time meetings effectively, and encouraging team building and relationship development.
Remote addresses concerns about managing performance and communication by emphasizing clear and transparent communication, using documentation and written procedures, and leveraging various tools like Slack, Notion, Google Drive, and Loom.
Van der Voort shared a personal testament to the benefits of async work, highlighting the life-work balance it has brought him, particularly in spending more time with his family.
“Async work liberates us. It lets us operate at our best, unhindered by time. It’s about trust, autonomy, and the power of well-written communication.”