Many people choose to work remotely because it’s flexible and fits their lifestyle. They can avoid the stress of traffic and a bad boss, while still getting the job done.
Managing remote teams comes with challenges, but the right policies can help. Read on to learn how to create a productive, positive remote work culture.
Better Work-Life Balance
Whether they’re working from home or the coffee shop, remote employees can set their own schedules and work at times that best suit their personal life. This flexibility makes it easier to balance home obligations with work responsibilities, allowing employees to be more productive. Moreover, because of the lack of office interruptions, remote workers can focus on their work without distraction from coworkers or phone calls.
As a result, many people who work remotely report that their quality of life improves because they have more time to pursue hobbies, exercise and spend time with family. In addition, they avoid the health risks associated with commuting and can save money on gas, which translates to more spending on family vacations or other fun activities.
While the perks of remote work are plentiful, it’s not without its challenges. Some workers have a difficult time maintaining healthy boundaries between their professional and personal lives, and blurred lines can lead to a lack of motivation and burnout. Other issues can arise, such as an increased workload or communication mishaps. Fortunately, these issues can be addressed by establishing routines, creating clear expectations and encouraging remote employees to communicate often with colleagues.
Additionally, remote work can reduce the carbon footprint of an organization by reducing the number of people traveling to and from the office. This is particularly important during a pandemic like COVID-19, when many offices are closing and employees may need to work from home.
Less Stress
One of the main reasons many people choose to work remotely is that it reduces their stress levels. Without the distractions of office gossip and time-wasting meetings, a remote employee can focus on tasks at hand and achieve better results for their employer.
Another way remote work can help reduce stress is by cutting down on commuting. Having the flexibility to work from home means employees can save money on fuel and spend less time on road trips, which is good for the environment. It also reduces the amount of waste that is produced in the workplace, such as paper and energy use for heating and cooling.
Having the option to work from home can also reduce stress by allowing employees to prioritize their well-being. For example, employees can work from home when they feel sick so they don’t have to miss important meetings or clients. They can also take a break for a walk or get some rest during the day, which can improve mental health and productivity.
Working from home also trains employees to be more self-sufficient. Since remote workers rely on asynchronous communication to collaborate, they learn to solve problems on their own rather than waiting for someone else to answer a question. This type of self-sufficiency is a benefit that can lead to greater job satisfaction and pride in the work virtual employees produce.
Finally, the ability to work from home can open up new career opportunities for a wide range of job seekers. Many people are disappointed in their careers because the jobs they want don’t exist where they live, but having the option to work remotely can help them follow a career path that makes them happy and fulfills their professional ambitions.
Better Health
Having the option to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic has made many people realize how much they want to continue working remotely, at least on a part-time basis. This remote working model is not just for freelancers or the self-employed, as it can be a great way to balance family and career responsibilities while remaining happy and healthy.
This work-from-home option allows employees to spend more time with their families, exercise more and pursue other hobbies. It also helps them avoid commuting and spending hours stuck in traffic, which is known to lead to poor health markers like high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, and respiratory problems. Those who work at home can also save money on gas, car maintenance and insurance, and they don’t have to pay for office space, utilities, or paper waste.
Working from home can also help reduce your carbon footprint by eliminating the need for a commute to the office and using public transportation or walking instead of driving your own vehicle. Moreover, those who work from home can save on food costs and can eat healthier meals without having to visit fast-food restaurants or rely on delivery services.
Some people worry about the social isolation that can happen when you work from home, but with the help of technology like video conferencing tools and messaging apps such as Slack, it’s easy to stay in touch with your colleagues and feel included in company culture even though you may not be in the same room. Additionally, remote work trains you to be more self-sufficient since you need to rely on asynchronous communication and navigate different time zones.
More Flexibility
The flexibility of remote work enables employees to find work locations beyond the home office, including coffee shops and beaches (or even another country). Flexible hours are an added bonus for those who are night owls or have small children that require them to be in bed by a certain time.
Remote workers can manage their own schedules more effectively, allowing them to work during the times when they are most productive. For example, some people have more energy in the mornings and work better in a quiet environment, while others are more creative at night or come alive during the weekend. Remote work also allows employees to take care of personal obligations during business hours, such as attending doctor or maintenance appointments, completing school drop offs and pick ups, or spending a day with family.
Working remotely reduces the amount of time and money spent on commuting. According to a recent survey by FlexJobs, the average one-way commute is 27.1 minutes in the United States, which amounts to almost ten days spent in commuting per year for those who live a long distance from their job. For some, commutes are much longer and can lead to stress, anxiety, and a lack of physical activity that leads to poor health.
In addition, a company can benefit from reducing its carbon footprint when more employees are working remotely. During the COVID-19 pandemic, employees who worked from home at least partially during the pandemic saved around $30 billion in gasoline costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by about 780 million car trips, and saved more than 3.9 billion vehicle miles traveled. That’s a great way to improve employee productivity and help the environment!
More Competitive
When businesses offer flexible work options, they are more competitive for the best talent. In a world where employee tenure is decreasing and many younger workers have a “work-to-live” mindset, they prize employee benefits that support wellness and inclusivity. For example, Owl Labs reports two-thirds of Gen Z job seekers want work-from-anywhere policies.
Supporting remote work also increases a company’s ability to recruit top-quality talent from a broader range of geographic locations. This type of flexibility also allows employees to choose their lifestyle and live in communities with lower costs of living. Moreover, it opens up possibilities to hire people who might not be able to work at an organization that requires them to live within commuting distance of the office, such as people with disabilities, stay-at-home parents or those in rural areas.
Furthermore, supporting remote work helps a company reduce its environmental footprint. Less commuter traffic means less carbon emissions, and fewer office supplies are required. Additionally, if a business moves its operations to a cloud-based model and allows everyone to work from home, it may save on rent for offices or even on utilities.
It’s important for employers to support remote work and provide the necessary tools, technology and training to ensure it is a successful experience for employees. This can include making sure that employees have access to company data and systems, and providing a workspace for work-from-home employees. Also, it’s essential to check in with employees regularly for one-on-ones and team meetings. Keeping the lines of communication open helps prevent confusion and builds trust among teams. In addition, it helps keep employees engaged and motivated. In turn, this creates a stronger culture of collaboration and success for a company.