Now, more than ever, flexible workplace options are becoming popular, as both employees and employers stand to benefit greatly from such arrangements. Remote work, in particular, continues to gain traction around the globe.
Remote workers report better job satisfaction thanks to improved flexibility, as well as increased productivity when compared to working in a typical office environment.
For employers who are hiring remote workers or giving staff the option to work remotely, the benefits are numerous. These include:
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1. Attracting talent from a wider pool of candidates
With the recognition of the benefits remote work provides employees, many candidates today are on the lookout for remote employment opportunities. Beyond a substantial pay check, many skilled and experienced candidates now prioritise flexibility when applying for a role or accepting a job offer.
Offering remote work opportunities also means you gaining access to a global pool of candidates, regardless of geographies and time zones.
2. Better employee retention
One of human resources’ biggest challenges is not acquiring top talent, but engaging and retaining them. This is especially challenging for smaller businesses that cannot entice employees to stay by promising bigger salaries and more benefits.
But by providing remote work options that give employees a lot of independence and more opportunities to attain a positive work-life balance, you can still compete with bigger businesses in attracting and retaining staff.
3. Reduction in operational expenses
Whether you’re offering hot-desking or part-time remote work as options, or deploying full-time remote teams, you can not only save on expensive rental office space but also on utilities and other operational expenses. There’s also no need to purchase and maintain expensive office equipment.
Some companies that offer a fixed setup budget for new remote workers still manage to save on costs while also providing their employees some degree of financial support for equipment.
4. Improved productivity levels
Companies that fully understand remote work know that trust is key in giving their employees the autonomy they need to perform their roles efficiently and effectively. The key here is making various communication channels available for work-related concerns, and providing the tools necessary to track the status of tasks and or projects.
One Stanford survey revealed that remote workers are 13 percent more productive than their office-based counterparts. This reflects the experience of the remote worker, as many find themselves able to do more away from the noise and distractions of an office environment.
Wrap Up
Remote work is definitely here to stay, and it will continue to transform businesses and the lives of employees everywhere. As such, it’s certainly something you need to consider if you have not done so already.
Other references:
* https://biz30.timedoctor.com/remote-work-statistics/
* https://buffer.com/state-of-remote-work-2019
Oli Kang
Oli is a working mum who has a passion for teaching and all things educational. With a background in marketing, Oli manages the digital channels and content at Courses.com.au.
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