Remote working is a good option for a number of reasons. For one thing, it offers flexible working hours and reduced traffic congestion. Another benefit is that it reduces your carbon footprint and can improve communication. It is also beneficial for the environment, as fewer cars mean less pollution. And, it can be an excellent choice for individuals who prefer to work at home rather than in a conventional office setting.
Flexible working hours
Employees can benefit from flexible working hours in many ways. They can spend more time on tasks and deadlines, and they can deal with physical and mental health concerns better when their workdays aren’t so long. They can also decrease their commute time, which can make a big difference in the quality of their work.
To obtain a flexible work schedule, start by identifying your priorities. Perhaps you’re trying to reduce your commute time or you want to spend more time with family. If these are good reasons, you’ll want to talk with your human resources department and see if they’ve already adopted a flexible work policy. If so, assess the pros and cons of such a policy and ask for a trial period.
A flexible working arrangement also allows you to choose the days and hours you work. This may be a monthly or annual arrangement. It can help reduce the amount of overtime you spend each week, and it may be particularly useful for fields with varying demands. As a manager, your job is to provide the best working hours for your team.
Employees value flexible working hours. According to CareerBuilder, jobs that allow remote workers to work receive seven times as many applications as in-person positions. And a study by ManpowerGroup Solutions has found that nearly 40% of global candidates look for jobs with flexible hours. That’s a lot of potential, and it’s not surprising that more employees are looking for work that fits their lives.
A flexible workforce fosters the right balance between work and life. Technology allows remote workers to collaborate with others from wherever they are. But trust is the most important element to a successful flexible working arrangement. Without trust, flexible work isn’t as effective as it is when it’s set in stone. In fact, research has shown that 86% of workers report being as productive when they work from home as they are when in the office.
Offering flexible working hours also increases your company’s ability to attract and retain talented employees. A recent Flexjobs survey found that employees would be more loyal to their current employer if their employer offered them flexible working arrangements. Furthermore, 52% of respondents had already tried to negotiate a flexible work arrangement with their current employer. In addition, employees who are more engaged in their work will spend more time on it and less on searching for new jobs.
Reduced traffic congestion
One of the many benefits of teleworking is that it reduces traffic congestion during peak travel times. It also reduces exposure to harmful air pollution, which has been linked to a range of health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular disease. A recent study from the University of Stirling in Scotland showed that women who live close to high traffic areas have a much higher risk of breast cancer.
Traffic congestion is a major concern in urban areas. Many cities have experienced commuting peaks. This has had a negative impact on the wellbeing of the urban population, and various measures have been implemented to reduce this. Traffic congestion can be considered a major health problem and has been linked to stress. Understanding the geographical pattern of congestion is important for formulating effective policy measures.
Whether telecommuting will increase or decrease traffic in urban areas is an open question, but one study says it could be a valuable way to help reduce this problem. The report points to some ways to reduce congestion, including telework and flexible work hours. The authors also recommend using pricing strategies to reduce car travel. But do the authors of the Urban Mobility Report have it right?
While there may be a slight reduction in traffic congestion if telecommuters work from home, there are other factors that may lead to more congestion in urban areas. Some studies have found that people who are able to work from home may be more likely to commute during morning rush hours than office-based workers, and they may choose a location for other reasons. In these cases, telecommuters may need to make changes to their work schedules, or go back to using public transit.
Lower carbon footprint
While many people may be inclined to believe that working from home reduces carbon emissions, this is not always the case. Some studies have shown that remote work increases energy use. For example, if you stay home all day, you’ll need more electricity to keep the house warm. In addition, you’ll likely use more cooking and lighting. If you’re working from home, you can use solar panels, a smart thermostat, and more energy-efficient appliances. You can also limit your consumption by only heating or cooling the room in which you’re working.
Working from home can also help the environment, because it can reduce commuting emissions. Commuting to work is the single biggest cause of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. In fact, it accounts for 30% of annual mileage. By eliminating commutes, you’ll save tons of gas and be a lot more environmentally friendly.
In addition to cutting down on energy consumption, working from home also reduces CO2 emissions. Depending on your fuel mix, the savings can be quite substantial. In addition, you can reduce your household’s carbon footprint by relocating to a lower-density neighborhood. You can also reduce your carbon footprint by using public transport.
The IEA estimates that one day of remote work could cut CO2 emissions by one percent annually. That translates to an annual reduction of 24 million tons of CO2 in the atmosphere, which is equivalent to the total emissions of London and the surrounding areas. In addition to cutting carbon emissions, remote work could save businesses money on office space.
Companies with remote work programs should be careful to balance the environmental impact of their workstyle. Zapier, for example, has 320 employees in 27 countries and is one of the first fully remote companies to purchase carbon offsets. While this may not sound like an easy feat, it can help employers reduce their environmental impact.
In addition to reducing carbon emissions, more remote workers also have more time to spend with family and their health. With less travel time, they can also shop locally, resulting in better shopping practices and healthier eating habits.
Improved communication
Communication is an important element of working together, especially when a team is doing remote work. Remote teams need regular interaction with their managers and other team members, and it’s hard to do that when team members are not sitting right next to you. Thankfully, there are ways to improve communication in a remote setting. One of the best ways is to use remote-tracking tools.
First and foremost, create a schedule that allows you to interact regularly. Even if you’re working with your colleagues at different times, setting up a virtual chat room to discuss projects and other matters can improve communication. You can also create a chat channel that you and your coworkers can use for casual conversations.
Another great way to improve communication in a remote team is to use video conferencing. While it’s a good substitute for face-to-face communication, it’s still better to avoid using sarcasm, which is hard to understand in a written form. Instead, try to use clear, simple language to communicate your thoughts.
Having a clear, open line of communication is critical for building trust and collaboration between remote employees and their managers. This will foster a bond between team members and managers and help them feel like they’re an integral part of the organization. You can also use video conferencing to hold large meetings or to discuss projects.
It is also important for remote workers to maintain relationships with other team members. Since they are separated by time zones, it can be difficult for them to maintain social interactions. One study found that forty percent of managers were concerned about the lack of social interaction between remote workers and their coworkers. As a result, many of the workplaces have implemented policies that will make it easier for workers to communicate effectively.
One way to improve communication in remote workplaces is to ensure that all team members are aware of the goals and mission of the company. Knowing what the company’s objectives are and how to meet them will give remote employees a sense of ownership over the company.