7 Major Perks of Remote Work
There are many challenges that come with remote work, but the benefits are many–both for the company and its individual remote employees. Read on for some of the biggest advantages of a remote working situation.
- Commute Time
Remote work is a label applied to any employment circumstance that deviates from the traditional job framework in which a workday is spent in an office or company setting. There are a number of ways to categorize remote workers, from those who participate in a hybrid workplace in which only some days are spent working remotely and those who never, or very rarely, set foot in a place of employment.
Remote workers benefit from their at-home status by saving time on travel. Meetings for remote workers can be held over video calls and most or all of their work can be completed at home, which makes trips to and from the office a nonexistent part of their employment.
- Work-Life Balance
Many remote workers find that the employment circumstance affords them more opportunities to strike a more harmonious work-life balance. Some remote positions can be completed at the employee’s convenience and discretion, which frees up more time to spend with friends and family and to dedicate to personal matters, either at home or elsewhere.
- Freedom and Autonomy
Because remote workers aren’t tied to an office or desk setting, their work can be completed from nearly anywhere in the world. As well, remote workers often have the option to determine their own daily schedules, what tasks to prioritize on a day-to-day basis, when to take breaks and how to structure their at-home workload.
Remote work also offers employment to a wider variety of people in various locations. A position that would have once only been available to residents of an expensive metropolitan area can now be offered to those with equal skills who may wish to live in more economical areas or regions farther away from the office headquarters.
- Personalized Office Space
While employees can take measures to customize your office space when working in a company setting, remote workers have complete control over their home office setting. From desk selections to which pieces of necessary equipment to use, remote employees have the option to set up a space that is most conducive to their productivity and daily success.
Additionally, employees that work from home can control their home office environment on a day-to-day basis. Remote workers can adjust the temperature of the room, determine the amount of ambient light, play music or set up a completely quiet space that will allow them to work as efficiently as possible.
- Improved Health and Wellness
A lack of exposure to others in a work setting can cut down on the number of sick days for remote employees, especially during cold and flu season. Germs, bacteria, viruses and other microbes often spread around in an office setting and leave multiple employees down for the count at the same time, while remote workers are safe from the spread of these illnesses.
As well, remote workers generally report a better sense of mental wellbeing when employers encourage a healthy work-life balance, facilitate regular interactions with fellow employees and provide adequate support for their position.
- Financial Savings
Between the lack of a regular commute and the absence of the need for a designated office space for remote workers, both work-from-home employees and their employers can save money with a remote setup. Employers are able to cut costs on building rent, equipment, furniture, cleaning, utilities and office supplies, while remote employees spend less money on workplace attire, transportation costs, meals, parking and various workplace expenses such as coworker gifts and group lunches.
- Increased Productivity
Remote workers don’t have to worry about calling in sick to their employer and missing out on a day of work when they’re under the weather. These employees are far less likely to take time off when ill, and can still produce the same or similar output even when traveling or otherwise away from home, which means more work can be completed overall.
