Working remotely was gaining popularity long before the coronavirus lockdown forced companies to consider it. Remote work allows companies to hire the best talent, not only within commuting distance but across the globe.
Companies that support remote workers often have a culture of healthy collaboration. These teams prioritize results over hours spent in the office.
1. Flexibility
One of the most attractive benefits of remote work is flexibility. This allows employees to set their own schedules, so they can focus on their work when they feel most productive. This may be early in the morning when they’re fresh, or later at night when they’re more focused. This gives them a sense of control and autonomy over their time, which can lead to increased job satisfaction.
Working remotely also eliminates the need to commute, which is a major stressor for many people. According to a 2020 FlexJobs survey, 79% of respondents said that eliminating the commute was a key benefit of working remotely. This can save employees a significant amount of money on gas and car maintenance, as well as reduce their carbon footprint.
Lastly, working remotely can give employees more control over their schedule, which can be helpful for those with family obligations or health issues. For example, if someone has an appointment during their working hours, they can still get their work done as long as they make up the time by setting their schedule ahead of time.
In addition, working from home can help employees avoid distractions like social media and TV that might otherwise pull them away from their work. This can be especially beneficial for introverts who tend to need more quiet space to think and work effectively.
Having the right tools to support remote workers is also critical. For instance, a time clock app like Spica’s All Hours can help managers have an overview of their team’s hours no matter where they’re working from. This will help them better manage, inform, connect, and give feedback to their teams.
2. Better Health
With the Covid-19 pandemic forcing many businesses to shift from a traditional office setting, remote work has gained popularity and renewed attention. Whether employees work from home, a co-working space, or another location outside of a company’s headquarters, remote work offers numerous benefits for both employers and employees alike.
One of the most obvious benefits is improved health. Commuting to an office every day isn’t the healthiest way to spend your time, and working from home eliminates this issue. Not only does it save on commuting expenses, but it also helps reduce stress and allows you to work in your most comfortable environment.
Additionally, people who work from home are able to focus more easily without distractions. This is because they are not in a shared workspace with multiple other people. This allows them to work in silence or with music that helps them concentrate, which improves their overall productivity.
In addition to this, many studies show that working from home can improve your overall work-life balance. This is because it can help you spend more time with your family, friends, and other loved ones, which can improve your emotional well-being.
Finally, people who work remotely tend to have more positive coworker and manager relationships. This is because they can avoid the stress, distractions, and politics that often come along with an in-office job.
Finally, people who work remotely are more likely to develop a range of skills, as they need to learn how to collaborate with their colleagues virtually. This includes asynchronous communication methods like instant messaging and videoconferencing. They also become more self-sufficient, as they need to know how to find the answers to their questions themselves rather than relying on someone else.
3. Better Work-Life Balance
Having the flexibility to work remotely can help employees maintain a better balance between their personal life and professional career. This can mean spending more time with family, pursuing hobbies and even taking care of personal health concerns. It can also improve the quality of their work by eliminating the need for a stressful commute and providing a more comfortable working environment.
However, some workers have reported that remote work can lead to a blurring of boundaries between their personal and professional lives. For example, it can be difficult to set clear work hours and to separate their home workspace from their daily routines. It can also be easy to get distracted by household chores or socializing with friends. These factors can contribute to burnout and reduced productivity.
If you’re considering offering flexible work options, be sure to provide your employees with tips and resources to avoid these potential problems. This can include implementing remote work policies, setting clear expectations and encouraging collaboration among team members. It can also be helpful to schedule virtual team-building events and other activities to help employees feel more connected to the company.
Ultimately, the benefits of remote work can greatly improve your workers’ quality of life. When employees are happier, they tend to be more productive at work. This is why so many companies are choosing to embrace remote work — it helps them attract and retain the best talent while improving morale and employee retention. And in today’s fast-paced world, where work/life balance is increasingly important, it’s no wonder that so many people are choosing to take advantage of the flexibility that remote work offers.
4. More Productivity
Research has shown that remote workers are more productive than their counterparts who work in the office. This is likely due to the fact that people are more focused when they work at home, where distractions are minimal, and they can be more easily motivated to complete tasks.
Another reason remote work is more productive is because it reduces interruptions. For example, if you attend meetings in person, you may be distracted by the conversations around you or have to take time out of your meeting for other work. With virtual meetings, however, you can focus on the task at hand and complete your work quickly.
Additionally, remote workers tend to be better communicators. This is because they do not have to worry about idle chatting or office politics, and they can concentrate on the task at hand without disruptions. This increased productivity can also help companies save money, as they can avoid the cost of paying for expensive office space and commuting expenses.
In addition to these benefits, remote working can improve your work-life balance by allowing you to spend more time with family and friends. It can also help you manage your stress levels, which is important for your mental and physical health.
Many companies had to implement a 100% remote work policy during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this proved that employees want to be able to work from home in some capacity. By offering this flexibility, your company can attract and retain top talent and be more resilient in the face of unexpected setbacks or crises. For these reasons and more, the future of remote work looks bright.
5. Better Communication
When you work remotely, you need to be a master of communication. You must be able to communicate clearly in writing, and your coworkers have to know when you are being serious and when you are using light-hearted tones or sarcasm. Misinterpretations can occur frequently in remote working situations because of the lack of visual cues and body language.
The good news is that you can improve your communication skills through deliberate practices. For example, try using emojis in emails when your tone may be unclear or to convey humor. When you’re speaking with your team in person, avoid slang and shorthand words that could be misinterpreted.
Another way to improve your remote working communications is to limit meetings and focus on communicating only the information that needs to be passed on. This way, your team members won’t be flooded with emails and instant messages and will be more productive by focusing on getting work done.
Moreover, being proactive about communication is a great way to build connections and rapport with your colleagues. For instance, try scheduling virtual coffee breaks and happy hours to shift the focus away from work conversations and help you build more meaningful relationships with your team.
In the end, remote work can be a fantastic option for those who are looking for flexibility and the ability to pursue their passions. However, it is not without its challenges and you must be prepared to adapt your interpersonal skills to newer forms of communication. By doing this, you can make the most of your remote work experience and become a high-performing employee. The best part is that you’ll also have a happier and healthier life.