Remote work, known as the ability to work anywhere, anytime, is more than a global trend, it’s become an entire labor movement. Giving employees the flexibility to work where and when they want cuts across all industries and companies of all sizes. In fact, many of the top companies offer full, part, or part remote work.
Working remotely doesn’t always mean working from home, but rather refers to all the times an employee works outside the office, whether it’s in a coffee shop or a flexible workspace.
Working remotely allows for a better work-life balance
For many companies, even a couple of decades ago, working remotely would have been nearly impossible. Without technology, the office was the only place an employee could get work done. What is the downside of these technological advances? Unclear boundaries between work and personal life. For many employees, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is critical. The ability to balance these two aspects became the key to staying more satisfied and more productive at work. Saving time lost on long commutes to the office allows employees to have a better work-life balance, giving them back hours to use as they wish.
Remote employees have more freedom
Clearly, the benefits of remote work help keep employees happy, engaged, and accomplished. It has been proven that the optimal reinforcement of engagement occurs when employees spend about three to four days working away from the office.
Do you need to travel to visit your family? Or come home in the afternoon to go to your son’s soccer game? A traditional employee would have to leave the office earlier or ask for a leave of absence. But remote employees can clock in from home or from regional offices wherever they go. Whether they stay home, travel, or go to the office one day a week or three, employees enjoy the freedom of remote work.
Remote work promotes employee well-being
With no daily commute, no rushed lunches, and no extra hours in the office away from family and friends, remote work can improve employee health and well-being by reducing stress, and avoiding being close to sick colleagues prevents you from catching colds. But employers shouldn’t skip the remote workplace wellness plan: its inclusion in corporate wellness programs, like gym access, is just as important for those with flexible work.
