There used to be quite a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions about remote workers, like the belief about their inactivity and unproductivity. Thankfully, as remote work and telecommuting are becoming more common, these misconceptions have been cleared up.
Despite its challenges, remote work still has its appeal for employees and freelancers; from flexible hours to a more convenient commute, working from home seems like an ideal option for many people.
Companies allow their workers to work remotely, whether as an incentive or an opportunity, and their workers are content. But how does this affect the companies? Does remote work “work” for companies, as well as it is working for their workers? What are its benefits? We have laid out a few arguments that you should make for putting creating a remote work policy in your priority list.
- Remote workers are more motivated and productive
Remote workers spend more time working and get more done, and this alone adds to their motivation. There are a few commonsense aspects to this. Remote workers are more productive because they have fewer distractions, have a flexible schedule that helps them finish their work at their own pace, and do not need to commute to work; all this leaves them with more time on their plates.
Companies used to commonly believe that a remote workforce disturbs their company culture and reduces employee engagement. Quite the contrary, employees who work remotely hardly have anything to do with a company’s culture, and they stay more engaged due to their ability to enjoy the best of both worlds. Remote workers have the opportunity to connect with others in the office while also being able to reap the benefits of telecommuting.
Workers often feel valued and encouraged because of the trust their employers give them when they allow them to work from home; this improves the relationship between the two and increases staff retention rates as the workers are less likely to quit and work elsewhere.
So apart from having a more engaged and productive workforce, allowing employees to work remotely also positively influences employee retention.
- You can recruit from a broader talent pool
When your company does not have a remote work policy and your business is oriented around your locality, your choices are limited in who you can hire. Some people might move closer to you for their convenience, but you will mostly be drawing from the local talent pool.
By implementing a remote work policy, companies open themselves up to more opportunities and can draw from a more diverse and assorted global talent pool. Implementing this policy leads to a more diversified professional network. Not only companies can access people with better skills and experiences, but they may also be able to reduce their costs by paying them less (if the remote workers are from an area with a lower cost of living).
- It attracts new talent by enhancing your EVP
AfterCollege conducted a survey that found 68% of millennials would be more inclined to favor a prospective company if remote work was an option. So a remote work policy consequently enhances a company’s employer value proposition (EVP) and puts the company in a prime position to attracts more agile talent.
Remote work is the new norm, and more industries are already embracing technology to its fullest to become location independent. By doing so, companies expand themselves, attract and retain talented individuals, and create more possibilities for themselves and their workers.
Read About 4 Challenges of Remote Work And How to Overcome Them
If you are planning to expand your business globally, we offer services from many talented freelancers at WinAtalent who can help you do that and achieve your goals.