Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, many businesses have switched to a hybrid work style or a remote workforce, and they are now, for the first time, reaping the rewards of remote work.
Although early projections indicated that this new trend might be a short-lived craze that would end with the pandemic, it is now evident that remote work is a permanent fixture.
The number of people working remotely increased by 115%, and forecast that more than 38% of all full-time employees will be working remotely over the next ten years. Future employment may indeed be remote.
Why is remote work so common, then? It has Benefits of remote work for employers. Benefits include:
- Freedom to choose when and where they want to work (in some positions and companies)
- Wasting no time travelling
- Possessing a personal workspace
- However, you might wonder how remote work saves businesses money or if it’s even practical for your place of business.
Many employers have previously voiced anxiety about hiring remote workers because they worry they might not complete the task without supervision or be unreachable when necessary.
In actuality, managing a remote team has never been simpler. Teams may still communicate even if they are not all there due to hardware like interactive displays and software like Trello and Slack that keep remote workers organised.
Additionally, there are some incredible benefits of remote work for employers. They include everything from saving money on office space to creating a sense of freedom among workers. The top 10+ benefits of remote work will be examined in this blog post.
Benefits of Remote Work for Employers
Organisations may implement a remote work policy for various legitimate reasons, including economic, social, and environmental causes.
To offer you an overview, here are the ten most significant benefits of remote work for employers, based on our research:
1. Improved Productivity
Even though many businesses worry that employees who work from home may be less productive, many find the opposite true. Workers can create a comfortable, distraction-free workspace at home. In addition, the environment here is probably considerably more conducive to productivity than the typical office.
In some occupations, particularly in the technology sector, workers must work in “blocks” and may need to concentrate for long periods. For this, having a private place free from interruptions is crucial, which is why remote work is so standard in these sectors.
2. Easier hiring and more access to the talent pool
Companies have customarily restricted their hiring to those who could commute to their office. Unless your business is significant, you are up against rivals with the financial means to outbid, out-perk, or out-cool you. It might be challenging for companies outside of major cities to find personnel.
Businesses encouraging remote work and collaborating across time zones have access to the entire world.
The most excellent candidate for the job likely doesn’t commute to your office and may not want to move. Finding the most ideally suited candidate for the job is possible using remote talent.
Employees who have remote work options are happier and more engaged.
3. Employee retention:
Although it may not seem like it, hiring remote workers has several benefits regarding employee retention. This is because of a few factors:
- First, employees who move won’t cost you any money.
- Pregnancy in the early stages of motherhood increases the likelihood that employees will continue working (even if they reduce their hours).
- Finally, more flexibility will be necessary for those hired, especially millennials.
These factors will assist you in retaining trained personnel for longer.
4. Increasing corporate social responsibility:
Corporate social responsibility has received more attention recently. And rightfully so, given that companies must behave ethically and sustainably.
As business travel, for example, no longer involves carbon emissions, allowing workers to work from home is an excellent method for businesses to lessen their environmental effects.
5. Higher cost-efficiency
As said, one of the most significant benefits of remote work for business managers is its affordability. Businesses can save a considerable amount of money by allowing employees to work from home because there is no need to rent or maintain office space.
And given the rising energy cost, this will probably play a more significant role in the future.
6. Better preparedness for disasters
With a permanent remote staff, your company may continue operating in the event of a natural disaster, a regional or global emergency, or a pandemic. Therefore, supporting remote work and creating a disaster plan are essential risk management practices, even if not all of your employees work remotely.
It’s crucial to verify that it’s feasible for employees to work from home to maintain proper disaster preparedness. Your team may discover that working together remotely is more effective than in an open-plan office.
7. Increased competitiveness
Businesses must be able to compete with organisations from around the world in a globalised economy. So they can level the playing field and draw great talent from everywhere by providing remote jobs.
This is more crucial than ever in the current environment of digital transformation, where firms must be flexible and agile to survive.
8. Social benefits: meet people from all around the world
While working remotely often has a bad reputation for being isolated, it is possible to connect virtually with individuals all over the world.
People from many cultures can learn from one another and exchange ideas that everybody can use. This is made possible by having an international staff. Additionally, even though the virtual office is a workplace, friendships can still be cultivated there, boosting productivity and job satisfaction.
9. Less Absenteeism
Workplace absenteeism is a significant issue for both employees and workers. Although remote working is helpful with them as well, illnesses and appointments are frequently inevitable, and commuting-related absenteeism can be reduced by hiring a remote workforce.
Employees often detest their commutes, with many saying delays are worse than wage reductions.
Because they won’t have to rush to catch a train at the end of the day, remote workers may be more willing to remain an extra five minutes to accomplish any duties. Employers may even discover that they are more motivated to start their days early owing to the lack of commuting.
10. Technology
With current technology, firms have no excuse for failing to take advantage of a remote workforce. Employees have access to all the apps they need to do their work due to an internet connection and an excellent digital workplace platform. In addition, any remote worker’s productivity can be increased using collaboration suites (such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace), messaging apps, task management programmes, your intranet platform, and various other digital collaboration tools.
And there is no justification for being at work. A current intranet can even contain employee profiles and social networking tools, making it more appealing.
11. Less need for perks and office space:
Employers have less of a duty to offer benefits when they hire remote teams or many independent contractors. The businesses that freelancers work for are not obligated to provide pension plans; thus, it is likely that they will arrange their health insurance, etc.
Employers will have to pay less – or nothing – for office space, which is one of the more apparent advantages of remote employment. Renting or purchasing office space is expensive, but maintaining an internal office also involves other costs.
Bills for water and electricity must be considered, as well as Wi-Fi expenses. This means that office space reductions can be enormous, and every expense cut naturally adds to a company’s revenues!
12. Get your work up to the clock
Work may be done 24/7, not only during regular business hours where your team is headquartered, which is one of the benefits of remote work.
This is excellent for companies who need to be online constantly for their big customer service bases. In addition, having correspondents in significant time zones ensures that someone is always available to react to questions and address issues.
Conclusion
Opportunities abound in the modern workplace, especially for those who are open to change and take advantage of benefits of remote work.
Many businesses will follow the trend of remote working during the next few years, and many have already done so. So why not add some remote workers to your team if you believe that the benefits of remote working for businesses favour you? It might be the finest move moving ahead for your business!
FAQs
Question 1: Is remote work beneficial to employers?
Remote work has various advantages for employers, including a better work-life balance, lower office rental and utility costs, increased labour market competitiveness, and better employee experiences.
Question 2: How does remote work for employees assist businesses?
The benefits of remote work advantage businesses through lower operating expenses, expanded talent pools, better labour market competitiveness, and fewer business disruptions brought on by COVID-19 surges.
Question 3: How can you tell if your company should allow remote employment?
The decision to offer remote work depends on several variables, including the change’s return on investment (ROI), whether your company has the technological infrastructure to enable remote work, and employee attitudes about remote work.
It might be time to seriously consider allowing remote work if your company is ready to see a sizable return on investment from the change, has the technological infrastructure to support remote work, and people are keen to work remotely.
Question 4: Is working from home less expensive?
Your operations will determine whether or not remote work is less expensive for your company. But moving to remote work can help business owners save money on renting office space, electricity, and travel expenses. In addition, due to hybrid and remote work solutions, businesses can reduce or do away with their office space altogether.