In fact, key air pollutants fell to unprecedented levels during the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020, with particulate matter falling by up to 40% in many parts of the world. After global events altered our lives forever, one of the biggest adaptations that has stuck with us is in the way we work. Working from home has become the norm for many of us—despite being a relatively new concept for a lot of industries. While there are those who believe the pandemic has caused nothing but chaos and destruction, I believe that from within chaos and destruction, the strong will persevere and create a better tomorrow. Typical personalization options include setting up a standing desk, working in complete silence, or playing music while you work. Another advantage of written communication is that it can be easily documented and referenced later, which helps to keep track of projects and progress.
Remote working has remained a viable professional concept ever since the invention of digital technology. Also known as ‘telecommuting’, remote working was first coined as a concept by Jack Nilles, a NASA engineer. Remote working is widely understood as a professional setup where employees are allowed to work outside of the conventional workplace or office environment. Yes, the pandemic had been a trying time for us all, but with time, we’ve been able to get back on our feet!
What are the benefits of remote working for employers?
Research found seven out of 10 people worked while feeling ill since the rise of remote working. In person is where trust-based relationships develop and deepen, and where serendipitous conversations and connections can occur. Once teams and individuals understand what they are responsible for delivering, in terms of results, leaders should focus on monitoring the outcome-based measurements. When leaders focus on outcomes and outputs, virtual workers deliver higher-quality work.
- And we’re able to do that when given an option of where and how to work.
- And rightly so, as businesses have a responsibility to act in a way that is ethical and sustainable.
- Studies show that many of the most qualified candidates you could hope to attract for your company prioritize remote work.
- If you allow employees to work during their most productive hours and pursue professional development outside of those hours when it suits them, they can build their networks and learn new skills.
- As the COVID-19 crisis begins to wane and vaccinations become more widespread, many people want to continue working remotely, at least on a part-time basis.
- The benefits of remote working can be just as advantageous for the employer as the employee.
Now is the time, as you reimagine the postpandemic organization, to pay careful attention to the effect of your choices on organizational norms and culture. Pay heed to core aspects of your own leadership and that of your broader group of leaders and managers. Available data suggests that remote how companies benefit when employees work remotely workers are more productive than in-office employees, with fewer defects in work product output and quality. One 2013 study from Stanford University examined a Chinese travel agency’s experience and concluded that remote work boosted performance and productivity by up to 22% over in-office work.
Loss of work-life balance
Giving employees the freedom to seek out education and self-improvement also keeps them engaged and ensures they’re constantly adding more value. Best of all, employees can attend events in their locales, leading to new employees, clients, or press for your business. Remote work also means that your best employees won’t leave the company if they move somewhere else. If you’re looking to hire remote talent, consider posting a job on Himalayas.
According to the Gartner survey, almost 74% of businesses had adopted remote working for their employees! The development of virtual platforms like Zoom calls, Google Meet, and Skype has made asynchronous communication possible, allowing employees to take up work from home assignments more effectively. So while a transition to remote workers may feel strange and there may be an adjustment period, it’ll all pay off when you see results in the end. And you don’t even have to go fully remote, either; a hybrid workplace can be precisely what your business needs.
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One of the benefits of remote working is that employees spend a couple of days in the office and the rest at home, which ensures everyone stays in touch face-to-face. Digital health benefits offered by insurance plans and employers can help you improve your health and reduce medical costs, but awareness and enrollment in these programs are low. “Building some career resilience can help you be more successful in your remote job search, too,” Frana adds. Another financial benefit of remote work is the potential for increased earning power. Remote employees are not limited by geographic boundaries and can work for companies anywhere in the world.
Employees can be more productive when working from home as it’s in their interest to get the job done effectively and not waste time. Loyalty also means employee retention, as staff won’t look for another job if they’re happy where they are. This is a cost saving for the company as it avoids new hires and it also retains skills. This is another one of the benefits of allowing employees to work from home.