The Benefits of Remote Work for Employees and Employers

Before the coronavirus outbreak, 57% of American workers said they rarely or never worked from home. However, the pandemic shifted attitudes toward remote work and accelerated its growth and acceptance in various industries.

As people learn to cope with the virus and return to normalcy, some employers are turning away from remote work and preferring in-house teams again.

However, remote work comes with advantages that can’t be ignored. Accepting this new work style is key to your company’s success.

Read on to see the benefits of remote work employees and employers feel.

Better Work-Life Balance

Giving employees control over when they work allows for a better work-life balance. When they’re constrained to a 9-to-5 job where they often have to work overtime, this can strain their home life.

Remote working lets employees take care of the same tasks on their own time. They control when they log in and out, which gives workers more flexibility to take care of things in their personal life. For example, they can log on to work while waiting for a home repair and then log off when the contractor arrives.

Working remotely will also give employees more time to spend with their loved ones, which is invaluable. For instance, they can bond with their families in the afternoon and early evening, then get to work at 9:00 p.m. when their children go to bed.

Increased Productivity

Employees tend to be more productive when they’re not constrained to a set work schedule, and there isn’t a manager overlooking their every move. Their productivity increases when they feel more in control and their employer trusts them to get their work done.

In addition, it takes people an average of 27.6 minutes to commute one way to work. When employees aren’t spending approximately an hour a day getting to and from their shifts, they have more time to spend on work tasks.

Employees are also happier from having a better work-life balance, which can motivate them to work harder.

Wider Talent Pool

Hiring in-office staff means you’re restricted to your local area or state. That is unless you’re willing to pay for relocations, which adds extra costs to running your company.

Remote hiring means you have access to a broader talent pool, as you can hire people who live halfway across the world. That way, you get more chances to find the perfect candidates for your openings.

You might even hire an excellent candidate who lives nearby but doesn’t want to commute to work. It is advantageous if your business isn’t located in a major metropolitan area.

A bonus benefit is you’ll have a more diverse workforce.

Better Employee Retention

If a company has high employee turnover, it’s usually due to dissatisfaction and unhappiness at work. Not only can this decrease morale, but it can also be costly for your company to repeat the hiring process.

Giving the flexibility to the workforce to work from home isn’t just a convenience, either. It’s a display of trust from their employer, which is hard to come by. They’ll appreciate it and reward you with company loyalty.

Remote work also improves employee retention because people can move without having to quit their jobs. It is a win-win situation for you and your workers, as you can retain talent while they start new chapters in their lives.

Smaller Carbon Footprint

Eco-consciousness is a thing on many people’s minds, especially since climate change is only getting worse. Many employees want to work for businesses that actively help the planet.

Eliminating worker commutes means decreasing your carbon footprint.

Your office will also use less energy daily since fewer people are in. Because they have to work remotely from their homes, employees will do everything they can to be energy efficient and reduce their utility bills.

There will also be less food and plastic waste since employees can cook and eat at home. The chances of them using single-use utensils and kitchenware are slim.

In addition, you’ll decrease paper usage. You have no choice but to share digital files instead of paper when working remotely.

Cost Savings

All the above benefits add up to significant cost savings and bigger profits for your business. You won’t have to accommodate as many people in the office, which can decrease utility bills.

Better worker retention means less spending on hiring. When employees have better work-life balance and flexibility in when and where they work, they’re happier. And because employees are more productive, this can drive up profits too.

Remote workers also have to source their own equipment and technology, which takes the burden off your shoulders. It’s also their responsibility to make upgrades when necessary, which is another cost eliminated for you.

Reap the Benefits of Remote Work

The benefits of remote work apply to both employees and employers. Employees enjoy more flexibility, and employers have access to a larger talent pool. Not to mention, the lower costs and improved productivity set your business up for success.

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.

If you’d like help with remote hiring, then get in touch with us now. Our consultants can help you explore your options for expanding.