Working remotely allows employees to balance their professional and personal lives. Without the need to follow a strict schedule in an office, remote workers can pursue Master’s degrees or take care of family obligations while still securing their jobs.
This new freedom also eliminates commute time, allowing people to save hundreds of dollars each week.
Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is a huge motivating factor for many people who choose to work remotely. The ability to set their own schedule allows remote workers to create a more comfortable work-life relationship and often be able to spend more time doing things they love outside of the office. However, striking a healthy work-life balance is not something that happens automatically or without effort. It is important for remote employees to be self-starters and have a lot of motivation in order to maintain a high level of performance, regardless of where they are working from.
The pandemic gave many people a taste of what it’s like to work remotely and realize that maintaining a good balance is not easy. The morning commute, the coffee shop run, and catching up with friends after work were all suddenly eliminated from their daily routines, and for some, it was difficult to maintain focus and productivity while at home.
Fortunately, it does not have to be this way. Creating the right work-life balance is possible for remote workers, especially with some simple adjustments to their day-to-day routines.
First, make sure that you communicate with your managers and let them know what you are trying to achieve with respect to work-life balance. This can help them prioritize your tasks if the workload gets overwhelming and it can also let them know if you need extra support or streamlining of certain processes. Leaders can also use their check-in meetings to ask about employee wellbeing. It may be that some of your team members are struggling and need additional support or guidance in managing their workload.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you need to establish boundaries between your professional life and your personal life. It is not uncommon for people to feel overwhelmed and stressed when their personal lives interfere with their professional ones, but the truth is that this is a very common human experience and it does not have to be permanent.
To give yourself the space you need to focus on your family, hobbies, and other pursuits, try scheduling your work hours in advance. This is a great way to ensure that you are not receiving emails or Slack messages before or after your specified availability, and it can be an effective way to let coworkers know when it’s okay to reach out to you. You can even use technology to your advantage and set your Slack or Google Calendar status to “away” to prevent others from accidentally sending you a message when you’re not available.
Flexibility
Working remotely allows employees to choose their work location based on what makes the most sense for them. For example, some companies offer employees the option of working from home for most of the week and commuting to the office only one day a week for in-person meetings. Others may work from a coffee shop or coworking space. The flexibility of remote working also allows employees to change their schedule if they are sick or need to care for children or elderly parents.
Many people find that they are more productive at home or in a coworking space than at the office, as they are free from distractions and can focus on their work without the need to be on-call. Having the ability to adjust their workspace to fit their needs helps them feel empowered and motivated to produce high quality work.
For some, the flexibility of remote work is what attracts them to a job. This can be beneficial for their mental health and well-being as it removes the stress of a commute and lets them spend more time at home with family. It can also give them the opportunity to pursue hobbies or interests outside of work that they wouldn’t be able to pursue otherwise.
There is no doubt that remote work is changing the way we think about work and life. It offers many benefits for both employees and employers including a better work-life balance, lower stress levels and a more environmentally friendly approach to business. It’s no wonder that more and more businesses are shifting their workplace policy to allow for remote work.
It’s important to note that a flexible workplace does require a certain amount of discipline and self-motivation. If you’re not a self-starter or you have trouble sticking to deadlines and meeting commitments, remote work might not be for you. However, if you’re willing to embrace the challenge and learn how to manage your time and focus better, the advantages of a flexible workplace can be life changing. You can enjoy the benefits of a healthier lifestyle and a happier work life, while helping your employer save money on expenses like electricity, internet and office supplies.
Saving Money
The obvious benefit of working remotely is saving money on the commute to work. However, that savings extends to more areas than just the cost of gas or parking. By working from home, employees can prepare meals and snacks in advance. This avoids impulse purchases and eliminates lunch spending on weekdays. In addition, workers can avoid paying for costly gym memberships and save on laundry costs.
For companies, remote work also cuts down on office supplies and equipment costs, reducing overhead. Companies may also save on the cost of electricity, heating and cooling, furniture and other necessities. Furthermore, if only a few key members of staff must be at the company’s headquarters, it reduces real estate expenses.
Hiring remote workers provides access to a wider talent pool, improving global coverage for the business and increasing its competitive edge. Moreover, hiring remote employees can help reduce recruitment and training costs by avoiding having to travel to and from the company’s offices.
However, implementing a remote work strategy is not without its challenges. One issue is that remote workers can miss out on professional development opportunities, particularly if they’re not meeting face-to-face with colleagues on a regular basis.
Another challenge is ensuring remote workers stay engaged and productive at all times. Employees need to be able to communicate effectively, and this can be challenging if they don’t have the right tools in place.
As technology evolves, many employees have access to better software, web conferencing, videoconferencing and other tools that improve productivity and make communicating with co-workers easier. Additionally, working from home is not without its distractions and it’s important for the company to have a process in place to ensure remote workers are focused and accountable.
Fortunately, the advantages of working from home outweigh these challenges and can be beneficial for both employees and employers. By giving their workforce the flexibility they need to be at their best, companies can reap the benefits of increased productivity, a happier workplace and significant cost savings. To learn more about remote work and how to incorporate it into your company’s processes, talk to our financial team today.
Mental Health and Wellness
While working from home is becoming more common, it’s not a magic cure-all for all workplace issues. For some, remote work can lead to feelings of isolation. If employees don’t have a strong support system or don’t have enough activities outside of work to do, they may feel isolated from their coworkers and miss out on the sense of community that comes with being at the office. For Nicola Hemmings, a workplace scientist with mental healthcare provider Koa Health, the lack of human interaction she’s experienced since moving to remote work has had a significant impact on her wellbeing.
Other research supports this, with one 2022 survey finding that people who were full-time in the office felt least satisfied with their work-life balance. Meanwhile, those who were fully remote or working in a hybrid mode felt the most satisfied with their balance and wellbeing.
It’s not just employees’ responsibility to make sure they’re getting enough work/life balance, though. Employers can help by ensuring that they communicate clearly with their remote team about expectations, and that they provide sufficient resources for employee well-being. This might include setting flexible schedules, providing childcare or pet care assistance, or offering benefits and programs to help employees prioritize their mental health needs.
Ultimately, though, it’s up to individual employees to find their own way to a balanced lifestyle that promotes mental health and wellbeing. This might mean participating in a self-care routine (such as exercise or meditation), making time for friends and family, or trying new things like travelling or meeting new people. It’s also important to be honest with yourself if you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, and to seek out professional assistance when needed.
At GitLab, we’re committed to helping our employees find the right work/life balance for them. This is why we offer flexible scheduling, encourage employees to take vacations when they can, and make it clear that we value employee mental health and wellness. If you’re interested in joining our company, we encourage you to check out our job listings. We’re always looking for talented and enthusiastic people!