The technological advances of the last decade have made it possible for people to work remotely without hindering their job performance. Virtual offices are significantly increasing in popularity and according to leading St. Albans-based operator The Workstation, many new businesses are opting to hire only a mailing address and telephone number; rather than the physical space.
Here are the top five benefits of remote working.
Increased morale
Having more freedom significantly boosts employee morale. The idea of being stuck in an office environment day-in, day-out is unappealing to most, and the routine of it can have negative affects on productivity. When people have the option to work from home they’ll feel a greater sense of respect and responsibility. This makes them feel like a more integral part of a business rather than just a cog in the machine.
Better productivity
Remote working allows employees to be judged by the quality of their work, rather than how long they work. Having a ‘finish in your own time’ policy can yield much better results in the long run as workers don’t feel like they're constantly being watched. While office environments can provide a steady workflow, the quality will often suffer under such strictly monitored conditions.
Reduced expenditure
Renting a traditional office space is very costly. Most lease agreements will require a commitment of between three and five years, which is often out-of-reach for new businesses. Companies such as Skyline Offices are starting to provide pay-as-you-use office facilities and services for remote workers. This can significantly reduce overheads as serviced offices are fully maintained by on-site staff. Most facilities also have drop-in desks for workers who are registered at the particular location, but want to bypass excessive rental fees. This is allowing small to medium sized business to establish their brand name in areas of high prestige, and therefore, have a fighting chance of competing with the larger corporations.
Environmentally friendly
Office spaces account for almost a quarter of all carbon emissions in the UK. On top of this the fuel to travel to and from work is phenomenal. Remote working is far more beneficial for the environment and will significantly reduce travel expenses for employees. In addition, it can reduce travel-related stress due to traffic, and worries about being late.
Fewer sick days
Research has shown that remote workers take far fewer sick days. People will often lose a whole day of work due to minor problems; however, when working from home employees feel a certain responsibility to get the task done, even when they’re ill.
Remote working is becoming increasingly popular and as technology advances employers are becoming more relaxed. Virtually everybody has the facilities to work remotely; therefore, more and more businesses are expected to roll with the changes in the future. In fact, some people even predict that the traditional office space as we know it will start to fade away and become redundant.
Helen Wallis is a freelance journalist who works with various well known publications such as Women of HR, Payment Week and Fem Fessionals as a blogger and guest writer/contributor
