5 key advantages of remote working for companies and employees

In an age where flexibility and digital connectivity have transformed the traditional workplace, companies and employees are reaping the benefits of remote working like never before. From tapping into a global talent pool to boosting productivity and cutting costs, the shift to remote work is reshaping the corporate landscape

Why work from home is good for your company?

You’re probably more familiar with why working from home is good for employees. However, there are plenty of advantages of remote working for companies, too. We've highlighted the most important ones.

Find out below how remote working can lead to increased productivity, cost savings, a diverse team, and much more.

1. Increased productivity

It can get loud and noisy in the office. Open-space offices or shared areas make it even harder to be productive. On the other hand, working from home can result in higher productivity. John from sales, who talks all day to clients, won’t bother the rest of the team trying to concentrate on their tasks.

Similarly, each team member has their set of habits that lead to increased productivity. While Sally feels the most productive when blasting music, Jake might want to concentrate in silence. In the office, it’s hard to accommodate everyone.

2. Company will save money

One of the biggest advantages of remote working is that your company will save money. Renting office space, especially in a big city, can be very expensive. When you add the cost of monthly utilities to the mix, it becomes a significant expense. If you save that money, you’ll be able to do much more.

Moreover, you can invest in your employees. Directing the money into bonuses, training, or better tools will lead to your company’s growth.

3. Minimizing environmental impact

As we move into the future, companies will focus on their environmental impact. Cutting out the daily commute to the office leads to a reduction in the carbon footprint. Plus, your company will save money here, too—no more travel expenses.

In the long run, caring for your company’s environmental impact will attract more clients. A Capgemini report found that more than 50% of consumers share an emotional connection with products or organisations that they perceive as sustainable.

4. Access to global talent pool

Along with current employees working from home, any new search for talent will be easier. Among the most important advantages of remote working is access to a global talent pool. Top-tier professionals are attracted to remote work, and it’s high up on their priority list. In 2016, already 57% of IT professionals worked remotely.

We'll give you access to that top-tier global talent pool of Full Stack Developers, Product Managers, Business and Data Analysts – easily, compliantly, and cost-effectively. Find out more here.

5. More diversity within a team

Hand in hand with missing out on global talent goes diversity. Diversity within a team isn’t just based on nationality or race; it also involves hiring individuals who can’t leave their homes for a variety of reasons.

There are many hidden skilled professionals in underrepresented groups, from professionals struggling with mental or physical health to single parents and individuals living in secluded areas. Opening doors to work from home will bring more diversity within your team.

Why work from home is good for your employees?

Now that you know why work from home is good for your company, explore the advantages for employees. Learn how achieving a good work-life balance and having more flexible hours can lead to increased productivity among your staff. Additionally, gain a better understanding of employees' reasons for choosing to work from home.

1. Achieving a good work-life balance

To work at full capacity, employees need a good work-life balance. Achieving this is more challenging when spending days in the office. In an office setting, employees can't prepare their meals, go to the gym early, or spend time with their children. These small benefits make a significant difference.

2. More free time with flexible work hours

As mentioned, each employee has different habits for higher productivity. John might be a night owl and work best in the evening. He might prefer handling all the calls in the morning, taking a break in between for his personal life, and then completing other tasks in the evening. Others might prefer working from 6 am until 2 pm to use the rest of their day.

With flexible work hours, employees have more freedom. In return, team members are more motivated to do their work.

3. Opportunity to work from anywhere

Having only around 20 vacation days seems limiting. Being stuck in the same place can feel uninspiring. With the ability to work from anywhere, employees can travel without using their vacation days. A change in the work environment, even for a short while, can lead to increased productivity.

4. Spending less time in the traffic

The most obvious of the advantages of remote working is spending less time in traffic. Commuting for an hour or even longer is not the best way to start the day. Just traveling from one part of the city to another can take ages.

By spending less time in traffic, team members will have more time to dedicate to work. Also, they'll be able to sleep longer instead of being stuck in a traffic jam. It sounds like a much better start to the day.

5. Lowering cost of living

Most competitive office jobs are in big cities. Living in a big city can be very expensive for employees. Rent, along with other utilities, usually eats up most of their salaries. Working from home can lower the cost of living. Employees can move to more affordable areas. Also, they might even be able to afford their own property.

What are potential disadvantages of working from home?

Along with many advantages of remote working, there are a few potential disadvantages of working from home to consider.

While flexible hours can lead to increased productivity and a good work-life balance, they can also result in overtime work. In a remote environment, employees are more likely to overwork themselves. Strong communication and regular catch-ups can easily solve this problem.

Furthermore, you might be worried about building a strong culture with a remote team. Establishing a strong culture in a remote environment is more challenging. However, with a good collaboration tool, consistent team communication, and the implementation of easy remote team-building activities, your remote team won’t be missing out on anything.

While there are a few disadvantages of working from home, keep in mind they’re all easy to fix. Just like in the office setting, communication is the key to solving any potential problems.

Is you company ready to go remote?

Considering the advantages of remote working, it will be challenging to compete for top-tier talent without embracing the change. Remote work is the way to attract top-tier talent to join your company.

If you’re looking for diverse, global, and highly skilled professionals, we’ll guide you through the process. Out of Office is your bridge to hiring Full Stack Developers, Product Managers, Business and Data Analysts.

Take the first steps and embrace the advantages of remote working here.