In the past, remote work wasn’t seen as feasible in the corporate world. Working in an office space was the order of the day. Anything other than that was not welcomed.
Today, however, remote work is rapidly gaining popularity amongst corporate organizations.
Employees shifting from working in offices to working from the comfort of their home all boils down to keeping the costs of running a business low and having a comfortable place and the flexibility to be productive.
Fewer workers in the office mean less office space, and the less office space a company has to rent, the less they have to pay for the space.
Until recently, there was a common perception amongst employers and employees that working from home was not as beneficial as working from the office. Many believed they would get easily distracted if they worked remotely.
But with the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the advancement of technological communication tools, remote working is now widely embraced.
Years ago, remote colleagues couldn’t exchange instant messages regarding a project because there were no email or text message services.
Today, teleconferencing and telework technology has advanced such that corporate organizations can thrive when working remotely.
Indeed, remote working has a host of benefits for the employee and the employer.
1. No Commuter Stress
Employees spend an average of one hour per day on a one-way commute. According to Auto Insurance Center, most commuters spend nearly 100 hours commuting 41 hours stuck in traffic each year.
Daily commuting rubs commuters the wrong way because it increases stress and anxiety. It can also impact their efficiency when performing their work tasks.
Working from home allows you to save the time you would have spent commuting and focus on other priorities, such as sleeping and spending quality time with your family.
2. Increased Diversity and Inclusivity
Remote working allows people from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds to be part of corporate organizations. It also makes it possible for people to work in locations they otherwise couldn’t.
Anybody can work remotely as long as they have a computer and an internet connection. By
increasing inclusivity, companies can increase their chances of hiring people with the right skill sets.
Remote work accommodates those who desire a flexible work schedule and gives the disabled the opportunity to achieve their career goals without commuting to the office.
3. Boosted Productivity and Performance
In addition to offering shorter (or no) commute time, working from a comfortable environment influences work output. Employees want to control their work environments. Remote work gives them the privilege to dictate the look of their workspace.
When done right, their performance and productivity are enhanced. For example, during the pandemic, most employees have found it more convenient to work from home. There are no interruptions at home and less need to adhere to COVID-19 prevention protocols. It gives them the sense of comfort they need to work effectively.
On the leadership side, HR system or HR software helps businesses monitor their employee attendance and performance, just like in workplaces. For example, EasyWork allows employees to clock in and clock out with just a tap on the mobile phone.
On the other hand, the HR department can have access to the recorded details of attendance, such as the clock in and clock out time, location and more. This enables the HR department to keep tabs on employee performance.
In addition, the leave management system on employee attendance app such EasyWork lets employees apply for leave online in just a few taps. At the same time, the HR department is also able to approve or reject a leave application online in just a few taps.
Details of leave application, approval and rejection, including date, time, status and more will be recorded on the cloud for future reference. This enables companies to plan their manpower accurately.
4. Work-Life Balance
Remote work makes it possible for employees to choose when to start and end their day as long as their working schedule doesn’t affect the company’s progress. The control of one’s working schedule can have a huge impact on their productivity.
Moreover, work flexibility offers employees higher job satisfaction as they are able to plan and devote their time to other aspects of life such as family, friends and hobbies.
Is Remote Working the Future?
The pandemic, in addition to technological advancement, has been a catalyst for the prevalence of remote work.
With the development of remote work software such as employee attendance app, attendance system, HR software and other powerful mobile work tools, more and more companies will be ready to embrace remote work.
In the end, both the employees and employers are satisfied.
