Remote work has been on the rise for some time, thanks in part to the exploding demand for digital workers. From freelancers to employees working from home, remote work has become a viable alternative to office work and is already a popular choice for many companies in all industries.
Having a career where you work away from the office can be awesome. You can work on your own schedule and manage your own time.
Most of us have dreamed about working from home at least once in our lives. For some it’s a chance to be closer to family and for others it’s an escape from the demands of a demanding job. No matter the reason, remote work is becoming increasingly popular. There are many reasons for this shift in lifestyle, but what have we found to be the most positive benefits of remote work and why remote work improves employee retention?
Remote Workers Are Happier
According to researchers at the Harvard Business School, the benefits of remote work include happier employees, less stress, better work/life balance, and more opportunities to travel. As the demand for increased flexibility increases, employers will be forced to make accommodations to ensure their workers stay happy.
Remote Workers Are More Productive
Far from being a gimmick, remote work has been shown to improve employees’ productivity. A study by the Institute for the Future found that employees who worked remotely were 2.8 times more likely to be happy with their jobs.
A recent survey of 5,000 software developers found that 84% of respondents would recommend working remotely to a friend, and a separate survey by Synopsys found that 55% of respondents prefer working in an environment with a significant remote presence.
Remote Workers Have More Freedom In Organizing Themselves
Remote workers have more freedom than those who must be in the office. Most employees who work from home or are telecommuters are willing to forgo their job for the sake of flexibility. Freedom to work from home is a benefit that employees want, and the workplace wants to provide.
Many employers recognize the value of remote work and have set up telecommuting options. However, most employees tend to forget that they have this option and, in a corporate world where employees are measured on productivity, they are reluctant to take advantage of it. The truth is that workers who have the flexibility to work from home tend to be more engaged, work longer hours and are more committed to their job.
Remote Workers Are Less Distractioned At Work
Employees who work remotely are often less distracted during work hours and therefore have a better work-life balance. As a result, they are more productive, happy, and enthusiastic about the work they do.
The benefits of working remotely are pretty obvious. You have more time to focus on what you do best, you have more flexibility, and you don’t have to deal with the hassles of dealing with a boss.
Remote Workers Have Better Work/Life Balance
Remote workers have a better work/life balance. In a survey by the Remote Working Awards,50%of respondents claimed to feel more productive at work when working remotely, and 40% claimed that they felt healthier because they were not driving themselves to work. Remote employees also experience better work/life balance, as they have more time to spend with their family and friends.
Remote Workers Have Less Stress On The Commute To Work
Working from home has become increasingly popular, and that’s because people that work from home have less stress on their commute, less stress on their work-related emails, and less stress on their work itself. There is no doubt that many research studies have been conducted on the benefits of working remotely, however there has been much less research done on the reasons why.