Remote work is becoming increasingly popular as the workforce becomes more and more mobile. With a global pandemic further solidifying a trend that had already started on a smaller scale, remote work is often the main point of discussion as employers and employees discuss working conditions.
Image Credit: http://statista.com
The general consensus that comes out of such discussions seems to favor remote work - as long as the right conditions are present. When one compares the benefits remote work brings to the table as opposed to the traditional model of physically going to a workplace, it’s not hard to see why.
In this article, I will share with you why more employees choose to work remotely, what employers can do to make working away from the office a positive experience, and how employees should prepare for this type of schedule if it's something they're interested in.
Let's get started.
Why Remote Work Is Becoming More Popular
As the workforce becomes more mobile, it's no surprise that remote work is becoming more popular. With advances in technology, there are now more ways than ever for employees to stay connected with their co-workers and office environment - whether they're working from home, a café, or on the road.
Employees who work remotely often have higher job satisfaction rates and feel less stressed than those who don't. They also report feeling more productive and balancing family obligations with work commitments better.
There are several reasons why employees might prefer to work remotely: they may need to care for a sick family member or live in a rural area without easy access to public transportation. They might also prefer to work in a different environment. These are all factors that push in the direction of remote work.
The Benefits Of Remote Working
The following are some of the many benefits that employees report when they work remotely.
Image Credit: http://talentlyft.com
Greater Flexibility To Balance Family Obligations With Work Commitments
Flexibility is a crucial benefit of remote work. Unforeseen life changes that require a change in one’s schedule can happen anytime - from a child being born to an elderly parent needing care to even something as simple as a stomach bug might require a change in the working conditions.
Employees who work remotely may have more flexibility when balancing their family and work commitments - which is crucial for those who need to pick up a sick child from school or head home early due to illness.
Fewer Distractions At Home Than In The Office
Working remotely offers employees fewer distractions than working in the office. For example, in an office, there are often co-workers stopping by each other's cubes or desks "to chat". Working remotely makes this much less likely and this means that you won't be interrupted every few minutes.
Image Credit: http://achurchconsulting.com
In addition, many employees find that they get more work done at home because there are also no direct distractions that happen when people are physically working together. These can include the smell of pizza from the lunchroom or co-workers coming in and out of meetings. While these might seem too inconsequential, the fact is that they do happen in an office environment.
An office environment can also be quite noisy, making it difficult to concentrate. For employees who work remotely, this is usually not an issue.
Less Time Commuting To And From Work
Employees who work remotely often save time on their daily commute. In some cases, this can be hours each day used for rest, family time, or getting caught up on work.
Working remotely may be the only option for those who live in a rural area without easy access to public transportation.
Freedom To Choose The Right ‘Office Space’
Some employees also prefer to work from a coffee shop one day and a co-working space the next, which means that being confined to the same space or even the same room is not something that aids such employees
While some people thrive on having a set routine, others enjoy a more creative approach. The latter are usually the types of people that are looking for a flexible job with remote working possibilities.
Keeping Employees Connected
Employers can make remote work an effective solution for employees looking for remote work by providing adequate training and tools to ensure that their remote workers stay connected.
Technology is more important than ever - while employees want to work remotely, they still want and expect access to technology at all times.
One way to support remote workers is by providing them with the appropriate technology and tools to do their job. This may include a laptop or desktop computer, a phone with a headset, software that allows for online meetings, and access to the company's intranet.
Ensuring that employees have a comfortable office set up in their own home is also key to long-term success with remote working. In addition, employers can help their employees feel connected to the office environment by organizing regular video or telephone meetings, sharing important updates and announcements, and encouraging social interaction among co-workers.
Some companies also use new technologies like virtual reality (VR) to help employees feel more connected to their team and office environment. Employees can use VR to create virtual meeting spaces where employees from all over the world can come together in one place.
How Employers Can Make Remote Working A More Positive Experience For Their Employees
There are a few things that employers can do to make working a positive experience for their employees remotely, including:
All of these measures will help employers create a positive remote work environment that is both productive and comfortable for their employees.
Preparing For Remote Work
While the idea of remote work might attract various people, it’s important for employees to know what they’re getting into from the very beginning.
Employees interested in working remotely should do their homework before accepting a job offer that is semi/fully remote, so they know what to expect. For example, employees should find out whether the position is 100% remote or if it requires them to be on-site some days of the week. They should also ask about the necessary technology needed for the job and how much support will be provided by their employer.
Image Credit: http://theworkfromhomeexpert.com
On the flip side, employers seeking potential employees for remote positions should make sure they're asking the right questions. For example, they should ask about the applicant's experience working remotely, their level of computer literacy, and whether they would be comfortable working in a virtual environment.
Employers and employees alike should also consider a few things when it comes to remote work - like time zone differences and the need for solid communication skills. Preparing employees early on for these challenges can help them feel more comfortable with remote work and avoid potential setbacks.
What Current Employees Should Do If They're Interested In Remote Work
If you're currently working a job that is 100% office-based and are thinking about asking your employer if you can work remotely, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First, be sure to ask your employer if they have any remote working policies in place - and whether those policies would apply to you. There’s no point in reinventing the wheel if policies are already in place.
Next, make sure you're familiar with the necessary technology required for the job and are comfortable using it. You may also want to brush up on your communication skills, which will be essential when working remotely.
Finally, take some time to think about what you need to be productive while working remotely. This may include setting aside specific hours for work, having regular video or telephone check-ins with your supervisor, or taking breaks every once in a while.
You'll be better prepared to discuss remote work with your employer and make the most of this opportunity by keeping these things in mind. It’ll also show your employer that you’ve done your research and have come up with a plan to move things forward.
The Importance Of Work-Life Balance When Doing Remote Work
One of the challenges of remote jobs happens when small teams are expected to be online at all times of the day. Remote employees can feel obligated to be available to their team members at all hours, leading to an unhealthy work-life balance.
To avoid this, employers should set expectations for communication and work hours. Remote workers tend to be more productive when they have a set schedule and know when they're expected to be available to their team.
Image Credit: http://coburgbanks.co.uk
A healthy work-life balance is essential for anyone, whether they're working remotely or not. As an employer, a better work-life balance is also crucial to keep in mind when interviewing a candidate for a remote job.
If your current employees are struggling with this balance, you should first look into how to improve the current working conditions and may not want to hire further remote employees before addressing such issues.
Keep in mind that setting the right expectations (even at the interview stage) helps create a positive remote work environment for everyone, where expectations and reality tend to match up as closely as possible.
Is Permanent Remote Work Possible?
While a growing number of companies are adopting a more flexible attitude towards work, there still isn't a clear consensus on whether permanent remote work is possible. Many employers believe that having occasional face-to-face contact with their employees is essential for company culture and productivity, which implies that remote work can never be a complete alternative to the office.
However, many remote workers report being happier since they were forced to work remotely 100% of the time. Based on these reports, some people think it may be time for companies to reevaluate their approach towards remote working and consider allowing some employees to work remotely permanently.
Only time will tell if this trend continues - but one thing's for sure: more and more employees want flexibility when it comes to where and how they work. Whether that means allowing employees to work remotely or creating a more flexible schedule, employers should be open to the different ways in which their workers can be productive.
Is Remote Work Better? FAQ
A remote workplace has many benefits, including increased productivity, reduced stress, and a more flexible workforce. Employees who work remotely often report feeling less stressed and more productive than those in an office. Additionally, a remote workforce allows employers to hire employees from anywhere in the world.
Some people believe that a remote worker cannot be as productive as someone who works in the office. However, research is increasingly showing that this is not the case. Companies can benefit from increased productivity and a more flexible workforce by allowing employees to work remotely and setting the right expectations from the beginning.
At the end of the day, a company’s economic growth is what really matters and from the initial research, it seems that remote working is more of an aid (rather than a distraction) when it comes to achieving this growth.
Digital nomads use technology to work from anywhere in the world. They may use a laptop and wireless internet connection to do their work, or they may have a mobile office that allows them to work from anywhere. The number of people that want to learn how to be digital nomads is increasing as many recognize the benefits of working remotely.
People choose to become digital nomads for a variety of reasons. Some people want to travel and see the world, while others want more flexibility in their work schedules. By working remotely, they can avoid the stress of daily commutes or long hours in an office.
The future holds many possibilities for remote workers. As technology continues to advance, it will become more accessible for people to work from anywhere in the world. Additionally, more companies recognize the benefits of a remote workforce and may be more willing to hire employees who work remotely.
Conclusion
New technology has made companies more flexible regarding when, where, and how employees do their jobs. This allows employers to provide better opportunities to their employees, giving them greater autonomy over how they spend time at work.
Technology also allows co-workers a chance to collaborate from different locations through video conferencing tools or virtual meetings - which means that staying connected is easier than ever before.
By taking full advantage of this trend, jobs that offer remote work are now seen as more attractive to potential employees.
Related articles: Want to learn more about being a digital nomad? Here are some of the best online jobs you can do from anywhere that has an internet connection. In addition, these profitable lifestyle business ideas are also worthwhile considering if you’re interested in learning more about this type of lifestyle.