5 Common Remote Work Headaches (and How to Avoid Them)

Remote work can boost flexibility and attract talent, but it also introduces avoidable frustrations. Small problems like lost files or poor connections add up to lost productivity and higher costs. 

For some businesses, downtime costs are extreme: industry studies estimate losses of $8,000–$25,000 per hour in sectors like e‑commerce or financial services, while for others, the impact is more about missed opportunities and wasted time.

Here are five common headaches CEOs hear about from their teams, and the straightforward fixes that keep work moving.

1. Dropped Calls and Video Meetings

• The headache: Missed details, frustrated clients, wasted time. According to surveys, more than a third of remote workers report connectivity issues that disrupt video calls.
• The fix: Provide staff with business-grade collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams and ensure they’re using headsets and reliable connections instead of relying on consumer apps.

2. Lost or Out-of-Date Files

• The headache: Staff waste time emailing versions back and forth, or worse, overwrite each other’s work. According to a Pebl report, 86% of employees and executives cite poor communication or collaboration as a leading cause of remote work failures.
• The fix: Move files to secure cloud storage (OneDrive, SharePoint). Everyone works from one version, with built-in backup.

3. Slow Internet Connections

• The headache: Lagging screens, delayed responses, and employee frustration. Studies show that roughly 35% of home workers lack internet speeds fast enough for consistent video calls.
• The fix: Use lightweight collaboration tools, encourage staff to separate work from home streaming, and consider stipends for upgraded home internet.

4. Password Problems

• The headache: Forgotten or compromised passwords block access and increase security risks.
• The fix: Implement multifactor authentication and a password manager. You can also consider a Single Sign-On (SSO) solution for your team.  Staff log in faster, and security improves.

5. Unreliable Devices

• The headache: Old laptops that crash, freeze, or can’t support current apps lead to downtime. Downtime is costly in every industry, but the financial impact varies widely depending on the type of business.
• The fix: Don’t wait until a device is on its last legs or can no longer do what you need it to do.  Upgrades should be planned as part of your IT budget so there are no surprises. 

Remote work doesn’t have to mean constant troubleshooting. With the right tools and support, your team can stay focused, clients get faster responses, and your business avoids unnecessary downtime. Horizon helps SMBs across Western Canada put these solutions in place so remote work is productive and secure.