The pandemic changed everything, including the way we operate. With mass lockdowns, people could not go to work, resorting to a relatively new phenomenon, i.e., working from home. As COVID-19 subsided, lockdowns were lifted, and shopping centers and other shops started to open. But one thing changed forever. The business community acclimatized to a hybrid workplace, where people could work remotely from anywhere.
This paradigm shift in the business landscape brought several benefits not just for employees but for companies as well. Even after there was no need to stay home, businesses allowed their employees to work from home a couple of days a week.
This guide will weigh in on remote work, which is now taking the world by storm. What are the pros of remote work? Let’s delve deeper.
Fewer Operational Costs
As employees worked from home or at half capacity, this alleviated the burden of operational costs on businesses. With fewer people working from the office, you use less electricity, reducing otherwise high utility bills. This naturally increases the average company’s revenue. Companies don’t need large spaces, which also reduces the costs of buying or renting a large office building. In the long run, companies save a lot more.
Saves Time
Research shows that the average American employee spends at least 55 minutes commuting to and from work. This wastes time that could be spent on more productive activities at work or home. Naturally, this also increases the commute costs for employees or the company if the business is paying for their employee’s fuel cards. Working from home saves employees time traveling, chatting, or smoking. If you thought that wasn’t monumental, take into consideration that a smoker spends at least 6 days a year on smoke breaks at work!
Increases Productivity
Companies shouldn’t be so concerned about how much time employees spend at work. Rather, they should focus on the amount of work that is getting done. Unfortunately, this gets lost in our obsession with the 9 to 5 work shift. Interestingly, a study showed that employee productivity increased by a whopping 16% during work from home!
When employees can get out of bed and get to work straight away, it reduces time that is otherwise wasted in getting to the office, settling in, and so on. Employees are more productive working from home due to less stress and a better work-life balance. They use their time wisely at home instead of just wasting time clocking out at 5.
Conclusion
Perhaps the only few complaints regarding working from home would be distractions and roadblocks like slow internet and lack of working space away from kids. With increasing globalization, remote work allows you to take advantage of the best talent from anywhere in the world. Given the undeniable benefits of remote work, it is no surprise why it’s here to stay.
