Whether you’re looking to make the jump to remote work or already enjoy the flexibility it offers, there are plenty of options.
Full-time remote employees typically have access to the same benefits that in-office staff receive, including health insurance, 401(k) contributions and vacation time. Often, they’ll also have flexible schedules.
Increased Productivity
When you give employees the freedom to work from home, they feel more productive. They are able to focus on their work without distractions and interruptions, so they can get more done in less time. This is especially true if you implement a team communication platform to support remote teams.
In addition, the productivity benefits of working from home extend well beyond a few extra hours a day. According to a 2023 report from Buffer, companies that allow employees to work from home have seen an increase in overall employee productivity, which translates into savings for the business. These savings include real estate costs, the cost of transportation and in-office perks.
If you want to make sure your remote workforce is as productive as they can be, it’s important to set up clear and reasonable expectations with them. This is particularly important for those who may be new to remote work. For instance, setting up standard key performance indicators can help them understand the performance standards that are expected of them and how they should measure up.
Another way to boost productivity is to let employees experiment with non-linear workflows. For example, many people work best in the late evenings or early mornings, and you can maximize the flexibility of a remote work model by giving employees permission to work at those times when they’re most productive.
When companies are willing to be flexible with their employees’ work schedules, they can attract and retain a more diverse talent pool. This is because not everyone can afford to live within commuting distance of an office, or wants to do so, for a variety of reasons. Remote work allows these talented individuals to apply for your company’s open positions, increasing the chances that you will find and hire the most qualified candidate.
Furthermore, allowing employees to work from home can help reduce environmental impacts by decreasing the number of cars on the road. For example, a study from the University of Melbourne found that 3.9 million people who worked from home at least part time during the COVID-19 pandemic saved 7.8 billion vehicle miles and 3 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions and oil savings of $980 million.
Enhanced Work-Life Balance
As more and more companies adopt a remote work model, it’s become even easier to achieve a healthy work-life balance. Working from home enables employees to create an environment that’s free of distractions and the temptation to multitask, allowing them to focus on their tasks at hand. This helps them stay on task and finish projects on time. Additionally, the elimination of a commute gives employees more time in their day to devote to other activities. In addition to spending time with family and friends, remote workers can use the extra hours to exercise, sleep or catch up on housework.
Employees also have the freedom to choose their own schedule and work when they are most productive. For example, some employees may prefer to work in the early morning when they have more energy and can get things done quickly. Other employees might enjoy the flexibility to work late into the night if they find that is when they are most focused and efficient.
Remote work allows employees to feel more balanced, which in turn leads to improved morale and a happier workforce. In fact, according to one study, 52% of job seekers said they would consider applying for a remote position if the company offered it.
A positive work-life balance is not only good for your physical and mental health, it can boost productivity and employee retention. By offering flexible work options, you can attract talent from a diverse pool of candidates. This allows your team to collaborate with people from different locations, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds, which can provide a broader perspective on the issues your business is dealing with.
It can be challenging to build a strong company culture when all of your employees are scattered across the country and the world, but by keeping communication lines open with regular meetings and encouraging remote workers to socialize, you can foster a more cohesive work environment. This way, employees can maintain a strong connection to the company and its goals. This leads to higher levels of employee satisfaction and loyalty, which in turn can lead to greater productivity.
Increased Employee Satisfaction
Providing employees with remote work options allows them to do their jobs without the distractions that often come along with working in an office. This provides an environment where they can focus on their tasks with fewer distractions and do the best work for your company. This increases employee satisfaction and morale. Employees will value a business that trusts them to work remotely and give them the autonomy to do so.
According to a 2023 study by Buffer, 91 percent of their survey respondents said they enjoy working remotely. This is due to a number of reasons: better flexibility, improved morale, and less stress are among the top benefits.
Another reason is that employees avoid the commute and the traffic jams, which saves them time. This leaves them with more energy for workouts, family time, and even a few extra hours of sleep at night. Additionally, the lack of a boss nagging about TPS reports makes it easier to concentrate and get more done during the day.
However, a remote work model can still leave some employees dissatisfied with their job. One of the reasons is because they may feel like their contributions are not valued as much as in-office colleagues. Another is because of their limited interactions with coworkers, which can lead to feelings of isolation and lower employee satisfaction.
The good news is that this is easy to fix by encouraging your team members to meet up in person as often as possible. This can be a great way for them to bond with each other and create stronger connections with the company.
You can also use online communication platforms to allow your employees to interact with each other and collaborate on projects. For example, you can set up a private group chat or a collaboration room on Slack to enable team members to communicate with each other. Another way to promote employee satisfaction is by focusing on your workers’ strengths and interests. You can do this by offering opportunities for employees to work on projects that align with their passions or even giving them recognition or promotions based on their accomplishments.
Diverse Talent Pool
For companies who are looking to hire a diverse workforce, remote work offers the opportunity to widen your talent pool. Many companies limit their recruiting pipeline to employees who are located within a reasonable commuting distance of the office. This can be restrictive and limiting to your company, especially if you’re competing with other businesses who are able to outbid or out-perk you for the best employees.
In addition to expanding your candidate pool, implementing remote work allows you to take advantage of the benefits that employees from different regions and backgrounds can bring to the job. For example, a woman with children may appreciate additional employee benefits, such as family and medical leave, that are not available in your local area. Likewise, candidates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may be attracted to the flexibility of a remote work model.
Additionally, hiring people who are comfortable with virtual communication and collaboration tools is crucial for success in a remote work environment. To ensure that you’re attracting the right candidates, train your hiring managers and recruiters on how to properly use video conferencing technologies to make it easy for applicants to connect with their colleagues.
Finally, make sure your company’s benefits package is appealing to all candidates. The more attractive your benefits package, the easier it is to attract talented workers, so don’t be afraid to consider options such as flexible scheduling and a healthy snack budget.
Once you have your team in place, it’s important to foster a sense of community and connection among them. One way to do this is by holding regular virtual events such as happy hours or team lunches. This can help reduce the feeling of isolation that some remote workers can feel and help them bond with their colleagues.
Overall, a well-established remote working culture can be very beneficial to any business. However, there are some specific industries that require a physical office in order to meet regulatory or client needs. These industries can still benefit from remote work, though, by providing a flexible work option that lets them attract and retain top talent without making sacrifices in other areas of their operations.