For the majority of businesses, the instant switch to working from home marked a drastic diversion from the norm.
But over the past year as the practice has gone from novelty to necessity, many industries have seen significant success with the new setup.
As lockdowns begin to lift and businesses prepare for another major shift to the new normal, could remote working be here to stay?
It’s something employers have resisted for years, but recent evidence suggests that home working may be just as productive, if not more so, than the office.
There are a number of reasons for this, and with good management, working from home can be a sustainable business arrangement whether full-time or part-time – in fact, research shows that many workers would prefer to have a hybrid system in the future which incorporates both.
If you’re considering a culture change post-pandemic that combines office-based working with remote flexibility, check out these three major reasons why working from home should become part of your company’s routine.
1. Work-life balance.
In the old world, many of us felt that the unicorn concept of work-life balance was a mere myth.
But over the past year, many employees have discovered that working from home gives them more flexibility than ever before, allowing for family time, rest and relaxation and leading to a generally improved sense of wellbeing.
This in turn leaves staff feeling better refreshed and more motivated in their roles, leading to an increase in overall job performance (see below).
As an employer, it’s important to help foster that work-life balance, and for some employees, having a workspace that is also your living space can be a major challenge, which is why companies like Homework design remote working setups designed to fit comfortably in the home.
2. Better performance.
As mentioned previously, many companies have reported a rise in productivity since departing from the office.
This is because day-to-day distractions such as the background noise of the office, interruptions from co-workers and impromptu meetings are generally reduced, allowing workers to focus more fully on the task at hand.
Whilst an office space can be helpful for collaborative projects, independent tasks can often be completed more quickly and to a higher standard once these everyday disruptions are minimised.
3. Hiring pool.
Looking to the long-term, this is something your business may not yet have considered, and that is the hiring opportunities afforded by a remote setup.
With office-based recruitment, employers are generally limited to candidates from a local radius who are able to commute on a daily basis.
However, with a remote office, recruiters can begin to look a little further afield – even if your role requires one or two office days a week, some candidates will be willing to travel greater distances less frequently.
This in turns means access to more talent and less restriction when it comes to finding the right person for the job.
Whether you opt for a hybrid approach or simply scrap the office altogether, these are just three reasons to continue working from home in 2021.
