In a world where technology is rapidly evolving, the concept of remote work has transformed from a growing trend to a full-fledged work revolution. According to a recent Gallup Poll, more than 50% of employees would choose a job with flextime over a job without, marking a tectonic shift in how work is approaching the 21st century.
Understanding The Fundamentals of Remote Work
Remote work essentially refers to a working style that permits professionals to work outside of a traditional office environment. The idea is that work does not need to be done in a specific place for it to be executed successfully. Instead, with the right technology and communal understanding, work can happen no matter where you are in the world.
So, what does this mean for businesses and employees worldwide?
The Rising Advantages of Remote Work
By embracing remote work, you not only reach out to a broader pool of talent due to geographic freedom but also witness a significant boost in productivity. One study by CNBC showed that employees who work from home save, on average, more than 8 hours per week compared to traditional office workers due to the lack of commuting.
The Environmental Impact
It’s essential not to overlook the environmental benefits of remote work. By reducing commuting, we can decrease the CO2 emissions significantly. According to a Global Workplace Analytics report, if people who held telework-compatible jobs and wanted to work at home did so half the time, the greenhouse gas savings would equate to taking the entire New York State workforce permanently off the road.
Challenges of Remote Work
Though the benefits are significant, remote work does not come without its challenges. Lack of team communication, feelings of isolation, and difficulties in managing work-life balance are among the common problems. But, with sound strategies in place, it’s entirely possible to mitigate these concerns.
For instance, remote-friendly tools such as Slack or Zoom allow for effective team communication, and promoting relevant work-from-home guidelines can help ensure work-life boundaries.
It’s High Time to Embrace Remote Work
With the COVID-19 pandemic, companies worldwide had to pivot rapidly to accommodate a remote workforce, proving that remote work is not only a feasible alternative but potentially a preferable and more productive one.
Given this, both companies and workers need to adapt to this new landscape rapidly and find the right system to accommodate this prospective work revolution.
For related resources, you can read our posts on: Digital Communication Tools in Remote Workplaces and Benefits of Remote Work for Companies