
This freedom is invaluable for companies looking to stretch their working hours with a limited staff. Flexible working hours can be a godsend to employees who are night owls, or to those who have small children. If asynchronous work is appropriate, organizations can even extend operations beyond a typical 9 to 5 workday. Coffee shops, beaches and other countries are now options. Remote work means employees can work from anywhere - not just their home. This saves organizations money on rent, utilities and other office supplies. Remote teams enable businesses to rent smaller office spaces - or even move to a remote, cloud-based operation completely. Even if workers aren't looking for new jobs, they might be less inclined to call out of work at random. In turn, workers will be less tempted to look elsewhere for employment, promoting a sense of loyalty and dedication. When remote workers don't feel micromanaged and believe their employer trusts them, they are more likely to develop positive feelings toward organization leadership. Reduced absenteeism and decreased turnoverĪllowing remote work can help businesses retain employees and prevent absenteeism. Being able to roll out of bed and start working is a huge time saver. Eliminated factors include oversleeping, being stuck in traffic and waiting in a long line at the drive-through to get morning coffee. When working from home, many of the factors that cause tardiness are reduced or removed. Much of this was due to the elimination of daily commutes and lengthy in-person meetings. During 2020, the steepest productivity improvements came in April and May, during the height of the pandemic. Remote workers reported stable or increased productivity while working remotely compared to in an office, according to a Great Place to Work report. This greater sense of comfort and better work-life balance lead to less stress. And on days when employees aren't required to attend video meetings, they can dress any way they choose - including pajamas. Working from home eliminates lengthy commutes, enabling more time with loved ones. Working eight or more hours a day leaves little time for family - especially when commutes and sleep are factored in. Better work-life balanceĪ frequent complaint in today's world is the difficulty of striking a good work-life balance.

Once organizations worked out the kinks, they found this new way of working had some benefits. For others, it took time as they set up systems to enable remote work. Some organizations settled into a work-from-home routine quickly. Here are some things for businesses to keep in mind as the world emerges from lockdowns and into a new working environment.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to remote work. As the COVID-19 crisis begins to wane and vaccinations become more widespread, many people want to continue working remotely, at least on a part-time basis.
