The rising popularity of work from home
Over the last decade, our world has become more digitalised, and many businesses are transitioning to the cloud. The number of remote workers has steadily increased, with a rise in freelancers and contractual workers due to the popularity of the gig economy. With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting the daily functions of most workplaces, working from home has become the prevalent mode of working for employees worldwide. The conventional wisdom of asking your employees to operate from the office was challenged by the limitations caused by the pandemic alongside the efforts and productivity displayed by remote employees globally. Even after the pandemic, most employees seek to work from home as they enjoy its comfort, convenience, and flexibility.
Challenges of working from home
While working from home is a boon to most employees, there are a lot of challenges related to remote work that you need to know about.
1. Productivity levels may dip
Most remote workers should be more energetic as they avoid the physical strain of travelling to the office premises daily. However, those energy levels may not result in higher productivity for all employees. While some employees will be more productive while working in a relaxed and comfortable environment, some employees may not be able to achieve a similar level without in-person supervision. So, employers need to ensure that all workers remain sufficiently motivated.
2. Issues with teamwork
Working from home might make it difficult for your team members to coordinate due to the physical distance. Employers must create a virtual work environment where employees are motivated to collaborate digitally while ensuring universal participation.
3. Potential security issues
While working from home, employees have to access your network remotely. This is a far cry in terms of security compared to the secure servers and workstations at the office premises. So, employers must minimise the risk of various security threats like viruses, spyware, adware, and ransomware.
4. Social isolation of employees
Office-based working may be a bit tiring, but it offers employees opportunities for social engagement. These interactions can positively impact employees’ mental health and morale. However, working from home removes these possibilities, and employees may feel socially isolated during long stints of remote work. Thus, management must create a company culture where employees use online communication tools frequently.
These are some challenges employers must address before letting their employees work from home.
Work-from-home benefits for employers
Most employees prefer to work from home because it is flexible and there is no commute. However, this work-from-home arrangement can be quite beneficial for employers too. Here are some work-from-home benefits for employers.
1. Flexible and agile work culture
Working from home frees up employees from travelling to work every day. Freed from the physical limitations of the office, employees are more willing to work for flexible hours and even on weekends to troubleshoot problems and deal with workplace urgencies.
2.Quicker onboarding
Remote work streamlines the process of recruiting and onboarding new employees. A virtual onboarding session is easier and faster than conventional onboarding, as it does not rely on paperwork. Remote onboarding can quickly prepare and set your employee up to work for your organisation.
3. Improved productivity
Working from home allows employees to work in a quiet, distraction-free environment. Remote employees can be more energetic and productive without the strain of travelling and working in a physical workplace. Employees can also take brief breaks to relax and spend time with their families, which can help them return to work feeling more motivated and energised.
4. Reduced employee attrition rate
The COVID-19 pandemic has popularised remote working. Nowadays, employees prefer the comfort of working from home. So, if your organisation provides the option to work remotely, your employees will be satisfied while working for your company. This will reduce employee attrition and allow you to retain your employees.
5. Attract top talent
Remote work has become one of the most sought-after perks in a post-pandemic world. The Indian job market is highly competitive, with top-tier talent often having the luxury to choose from multiple lucrative options. Offering the option to work from home may swing the odds in your favour, differentiating you from competitors who do not provide this benefit.
6. Access a global talent pool
Remote working reduces your reliance on finding talent from your office vicinity and allows you to make hires worldwide. This can offer you a competitive advantage as you access talent from around the globe. A global workforce of culturally diverse individuals can reduce language barrier problems and enable you to venture into regional markets.
7. Lower operational costs
Employers can save a lot of operational costs when employees work from home. A remote onboarding process can save you money that would have been spent on printing paperwork like contracts and agreements. You will also save resources that would be invested in availing and maintaining office space and supplies, paying utility bills and providing other facilities to the employees.
8. Less absenteeism
Employees can sometimes get overwhelmed by having to travel to work. This fatigue can cause them to get sick and avoid reporting to work. However, remote working resolves this problem in multiple ways. Firstly, employees are less likely to take leaves when they can avail the benefit of working from home. Also, employees can continue working even while suffering from a mild infection like the common cold or flu, as they do not have to worry about getting other people infected in the workplace. Moreover, since remote employees are less exposed to external influences like cold weather and rain, they are somewhat less likely to fall sick in the first place. Thus, working from home can boost your workforce.
9. Better work/life balance for employees
The lack of a good work/life balance can reduce the efficiency of your employees and lead to burnout. However, employees can enjoy a better work-life balance while working from home. Workers can now utilise their commuting time to take care of household chores and enjoy more free time every day. A flexible work schedule can enable your employees to get to their appointments and take care of their family matters. Your employees also get to relax, unwind, and take up hobbies, which will help them to improve the workforce’s morale.
10. Improved staff health and mental well-being
The pressures of working in a modern workplace can put your employees under tremendous physical and mental strain. With remote work, employees don’t have to commute to work anymore. This can help reduce the physical strain upon your employees. Also, they can utilise their free time to invest in healthy activities like yoga, exercise, and meditation which can further improve your employees’ health and mental well-being.
Allowing your employees to work from home can help your company on various levels. Remote work will allow you to save costs, improve employee morale and productivity, and build a motivated and flexible workforce that gets the job done at all times.
While working from home was steadily growing in popularity over the years, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses to adapt to limitations imposed by the lockdown and make remote work more mainstream. In the post-pandemic world, even as offices reopen, working from home has become a lucrative perk for most employees. The lack of a remote work option can hurt your company’s cause in this highly competitive job market. So, businesses should become flexible and embrace the numerous benefits of working from home. Employees can feel relaxed and motivated enough to give their best every day and help the company excel.
