By Shane Britt (Shells™)October 12th 2020

Preferred by many employees, little practiced by employers, remote work brings benefits to both parties. Many enterprises were on the fence to offer remote work options to their employees. 

But with the dreadful pandemic- COVID-19 in the picture, companies are compelled to allow employees to work remotely. However, it is rather a blessing in disguise as businesses are starting to benefit from remote work. Let's look at some of the boons of working remotely.  

Cut Costs, Save Money

Businesses are all about making money. It's not just about making more money but also saving it at the same time. Companies that offer remote work options to their employees can save big bucks on many of the costs of onsite business operations. When employees work from home, businesses have to shell out less for electricity, heating, cleaning, and even office space.

Even the cost of infrastructure and equipment significantly reduces. The majority of employees working remotely also use their own hardware. Other company resources such as coffee, fruits, etc. are no more drawn by the employee. Depending on the business, a business can cut expenses anywhere between 30-50%.

It not only benefits the employer but is also a plus for the employee. The expense to commute to work, clothing and cleaning costs, canteen meals or the traditional coffee break with colleagues cost money in the long run. So it is a win-win scenario for both.

Greater Productivity

Employers' ability to trust their employees, even when working outside the office, can significantly boost productivity. Working remotely from a comfortable and positive ambiance benefits employees' physical and emotional health, which inevitably translates into better results both for the organization and the employee.

Plus, employees put in more time as they are no longer worried about arriving late, nor are they in a hurry to finish their day early. Employees are people, not machines. Employees will show their gratitude by performing better if companies trust them to work remotely.  

Massive Talent Pool

Faced with an increasingly competitive market, incorporating profiles from around the world is an opportunity that allows companies to expand their panorama to perfect their strategies and develop new business ideas. By offering flexible working arrangements, employers can recruit talented candidates who would have been beyond their reach without this benefit.

Generally, enterprises are bound to applicants from the same city or nearby towns - unless the candidates are willing to move. Anyone who sits in an unfavorable location feels the lack of skilled workers most clearly. For instance, companies in smaller cities are limited to the local workforce. Offering remote work will allow them to attract a diverse and talented workforce.

If the employees can work from anywhere, you have a massive talent pool to choose from.

Plus, some professionals are actively looking for a job that will give them flexibility at work. People with children, family commitments, or are just looking to achieve a better work-life balance will be attracted to your company.

Data shows that over a third of all employees are happy to leave their current position to be more flexible and remote opportunities. Remote work is a flexible working model that also helps retain talent. It gives you business a competitive edge over those that are not remote-enable companies. As a rule, better talent means better results, and that translates into a successful business.

Lower Carbon Footprint

Positive ecological gestures from large enterprises are globally valued. Rational use of energy resources, incorporating recycling programs, etc. are some of the common practices. At the same time, betting on remote work also positively influences the carbon footprint. More companies are now looking at this environmental-friendly working model. Many businesses will continue to offer remote work options to employees even after the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Fewer people in the office decrease lighting, air conditioning, or heating system expenses, translating into overall low energy consumption.

Plus, the elimination of commuting to work means a reduction in fuel consumption. Remote work can have a great impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Let's not forget the noise pollution suffered by cities around the world.

From an economic and ecological perspective, the calculation is simple: remote work is beneficial for your wallet and the planet!

Work-Life Balance

The majority of office-going workers find it difficult to find a work-life balance. Working remotely takes care of the problem. It's not that your employees will work less; it's rather the opposite. Employees also use their working hours at home more effectively because they are less distracted and don't take as many breaks.

Multiple studies show that better work-life balance increases productivity and reduces the chances of an employee playing hooky from work. As a result, companies directly benefit from employees with better performance.  

Seeing the benefits of remote work, an increasing number of companies take this route as they are more interested in the results than in the number of hours employees spend at the workplace. Every working model has a downside, but the benefits outweigh the disadvantages of working remotely.
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