There was a time when remote work wasn’t even possible, but thanks to a variety of new technologies, working from home has become the norm.
Companies that embrace this work style are able to reap the benefits of increased productivity and lower operating costs. However, it’s important to consider all the ways in which this trend will impact your workplace and company culture.
1. Increased productivity
With a slew of research showing increased productivity with remote workers, employers are increasingly allowing employees to work remotely. While some companies fear that workers will become less productive at home, the majority of employers have reported increased productivity among their remote workforce.
Remote employees are typically able to save time and money by not commuting to the office, and this is a huge benefit to them. In addition, employees are usually able to manage their own schedules and get the work done when it is most productive for them.
Some studies show that people who work from home are up to 40% more productive than their in-office counterparts. This is because they aren’t wasting time commuting to and from the office, and they aren’t dealing with all of the distractions that an in-office employee might face.
One way to ensure that remote employees are as productive as possible is to create a work rhythm for them. This can include establishing a daily routine of checking in at a certain time, such as at 9 a.m. or 4 p.m. It can also include setting up video check-ins midway through a project and at its end.
Another way to increase productivity among remote employees is to make sure they are focused and have everything they need at hand to complete their work. This could include having small business organization apps available for remote employees to use so that they can easily keep track of their daily to-dos.
In addition, remote employees can be more productive if they have access to resources such as a library or an archive. In some cases, a remote employee may even be able to work from home because they have a library of books and other materials at their disposal. This is an especially useful resource if the person working from home is a new employee or is transitioning from another industry.
2. Reduced operating costs
Remote work offers many benefits for employees, but it can also help companies save significant amounts of money on operating costs. It can reduce office space needs, travel expenses, and property-related costs like utilities and cleaning services.
For fully remote companies, the real estate savings are often substantial. Even companies that employ a hybrid model with some workers in the office and others working remotely, such as Cisco, have been able to cut real estate costs by up to 50%.
One study by Global Workplace Analytics found that remote employees can save up to $11,000 per year in work-related travel and expenses, a figure that is comparable to a raise. In addition, remote employees can qualify for home office tax breaks.
Another benefit of remote work is increased productivity. Employees can work more effectively in their own homes and avoid distractions and interruptions that can occur in busy offices.
This improved work-life balance can also help employers keep their staff on the job longer, which saves them money in turnover costs. In fact, studies have shown that happy and healthy employees stay with companies longer than unhappy and unhealthy employees.
In addition, employees who work from home are less likely to miss important appointments or be absent from work. This may result in increased revenue for the business as well as happier employees.
Remote work isn’t necessarily a new trend, but it has become increasingly popular in recent years. In addition to the cost-savings benefits discussed above, it can also support sustainability initiatives and environmental goals.
3. Increased flexibility
Many workers appreciate the increased flexibility that remote work provides. They can schedule their days around their children’s activities, medical appointments and other life events. This freedom makes it easier to get things done on time and helps them feel more satisfied with their job.
The ability to work from home can also help employees save money. This may mean that they can spend more on a family vacation or take advantage of their hobbies. This can also lead to a higher productivity level since they aren’t stuck in traffic or distracted by office chatter during their commute.
This flexibility can also be beneficial for businesses. It can allow them to hire a wider range of people with diverse backgrounds, professions and skills.
Moreover, it can prevent employee absenteeism. A remote worker is less likely to call in sick when they’re not feeling well. This is a major cost saving for the business and it can also make them feel more loyal to their employer.
In addition, it can also increase a business’s cash-flow by giving them more flexibility to work hours and reduce the amount of overtime they have to pay their staff. It can even allow them to avoid hiring new employees, which is a costly process.
Another benefit of working from home is that it can encourage an eco-friendly lifestyle. It can help reduce the amount of paper waste, water, electricity and heating and air conditioning that a company uses.
It can also help save employers money on rent and other office-related expenses. This can be especially useful for small businesses that do not require an expensive space for their operation.
4. Better work-life balance
Work-life balance is an important aspect of employee satisfaction and engagement. It helps people feel more energized and engaged at work, which can lead to higher productivity.
Many employees who work remotely enjoy better work-life balance because they can set their own hours and don’t have to commute to the office every day. They can also make adjustments to their schedules, adjusting their hours around family, personal obligations or hobbies.
However, this better work-life balance is not always easy to achieve. As remote work becomes more popular, many employees are finding it harder to separate their personal and professional lives.
The best way to maintain a healthy work-life balance is to be realistic about how much time you spend on each. Generally speaking, it isn’t necessary to have an equal split between work and personal life, so don’t stress about trying to get it right all the time.
A clear definition of what work-life balance means to you is crucial, says Ioana Lupu, associate professor of accounting and management at Paris’ ESSEC Business School. Whether you’re an employee or an employer, understanding what this term means to you can help you craft your own policies and strategies that improve your workplace culture.
Another critical component to better work-life balance is communication. Employees who don’t communicate effectively with their colleagues may not be getting their jobs done properly, which can cause them to fall behind or become disengaged from the job.
For this reason, it is essential for leaders to provide their team members with a clear and defined definition of work-life balance, so they can make informed decisions about how they should manage their schedules and priorities. This will help them avoid unnecessary conflict or stress at work and at home, and will improve their overall productivity and performance.
5. Higher job satisfaction
Many people find that their job satisfaction is higher when they are able to work from home. The ability to set their own schedule allows them to be more productive without the need for constant supervision or guidance from their employer. This also frees up their time to pursue other interests such as sports, hobbies and side-hustles.
Remote employees are often more productive than those who work in traditional offices because they have the freedom to focus on the tasks at hand, rather than wasting time on social media or other distractions. They are able to structure their work hours in such a way that they are only working on projects that will have a direct impact on the business.
Employees who have the flexibility to attend events and workshops related to their profession outside of their scheduled work hours can build a portfolio of professional skills, and this can be invaluable for your business. It can help your team develop new connections and clients, which can result in greater growth for your company.
When employees are able to pursue their passions, they feel more satisfied with their work and more motivated to improve and excel. If they are able to meet with other professionals in skill-based classes or networking events, this can also be a beneficial opportunity for them to build relationships with peers that could lead to future career opportunities.
Remote employees are more likely to stay in their positions for a longer period of time, and this can be attributed to their improved performance. They are also more motivated to produce high-quality work and remain efficient with their time, so they will be a strong asset to your business.
