Working from home certainly has its perks. At times, you can do the obvious—roll out of bed and start work in your pajamas.
Working remotely allows companies to save money on office space and supplies, it gives the environment a rest and keeps workers safer as they will be working from the comfort of their home office.
Many companies these days think that the open floor concept works, but go ahead, ask your employees, do they really like working under these conditions or would they rather have their own office instead? How about a home office? Of course, giving each employee their own office isn’t in the budget, therefore all business owners need to start thinking outside of the box; this is where remote work fits in.
As long as KPIs (key performance indicators) are constantly met and the employee is proving their value, remote work should be granted.
Working from home should be every companies new perk; implementing this option will certainly expand the candidate pool.
Below, we will briefly discuss the seven benefits of working remote.
1. Companies Can Save on Office Space and Supplies
When company owners allow workers to work remote, they can buy less office space and supplies. Less building space and tools mean the company is saving company dollars. Stanford conducted a two-year study on telecommuters; an article on Inc.com covered the story and states that “the company saved almost $2,000 per employee on rent by reducing the amount of HQ office space.”
2. Workers Save on Commuting Costs
Workers pay for expensive fuel, car maintenance and train/bus trips every year, these fees add up. When employees save on commuting costs they can use their hard earned money for things they want to spend on; creating a happier employee.
Company retention rates will be higher when workers are satisfied; this will take the stress off of the business owner and the burden of needing to find someone new to fill the position ASAP.
Save time. Commuting to work takes time, if you are driving thirty minutes each way, you will be able to gain an extra hour; use it wisely.
3. Less Driving Equals a Better Atmosphere
When fewer drivers are on the roads, less carbon dioxide from automobile emissions will leak into the earth’s atmosphere and the air will be cleaner than it currently is.
4. Workers Can Remain Safer
According to an article on USA Today, there were over 40,100 people killed by automobile accidents in 2017. Less drivers on the road mean that fewer accidents will happen. Staying at home while working will keep the employee off of the road and will ease the stressed out feeling of getting to work on time, which may lead to bad driving, speeding and road rage.
5. Fired Employees Have Gone on Rampages—Remote Workers Will Remain Safe at Home
Just recently in 2019, Gary Martin (45) was fired; he then shot and killed five people and injured others in Aurora, IL at the Henry Pratt manufacturing plant. The enraged man premeditated the massacre; he knew he was getting fired.
Workers who work from home can concentrate on business and worry less about the fear of retaliation from other employees.
Of course, some jobs cannot be done remotely, this is understandable. But lessening the headcount for possible workers that may get injured should be every companies goal.
6. Less Germ Exposure Equals Fewer Work Days Missed
Going back to an open floor environment—no one really likes it; but it is a way for companies such as Facebook, Google, and all of the other top-players to collaborate aka micro-manage. This floor plan doesn’t necessarily mean more work is getting done; perhaps employees have more time to chit-chat with co-workers? In turn, they may become distracted. An Inc.com article reports that a Stanford telecommuting study, “found it less distracting and easier to concentrate at home.”
When workers are surrounded by other employees, sure it can build immunity and create everlasting professional bonds, but who wants distractions at work and all of the extra germs?
Companies, do you want to decrease the number of sick days your employees take on an annual basis? Try implementing remote work and track the analytics. Stuffy offices and shared supplies spread germs; let your workers work remote.
7. Technology Has Advanced, Companies Can Utilize This Aspect and Profit From It
When companies utilize the fact that technology has advanced to levels that were once unimaginable, they can start to profit from it. After all, why pay for a large office building in New York City when prices are skyrocketing as soon as a new week approaches?
Giving your productive employees an option to work remote will not only enhance their mood and work output, but it will keep them safer and allow owners to profit at the same time.
Workers that solely need technology to do their job—let them work from home and see how it goes.
Win, Win
Company owners will be placing employee safety number one and will minimize risk if they decide to adopt this type of work style. They could profit from employees taking less sick days, they can benefit from smaller office space, and will be helping keep the atmosphere cleaner as they will be cutting down on the number of drivers on the road.
Working remotely is not just a dream in the year 2019; it is happening, thanks to companies like Upwork Inc. The company reported “$1B in annual freelancer billing” in 2017. Remote work is bound to see a larger growth spurt in the near future.
Remote Work Improves Safety and Funds