Remote working has become quite popular as a concept in the past decade. It especially gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many companies were trying to figure out how to continue working. Remaining operational while allowing employees to work from home is beneficial for both sides.
This resulted in around 22 million employees working remotely today. The increase in this number over the past several years means there are some advantages not only for the employees but also for the companies. With that in mind, today, we’ll talk about the benefits of US companies hiring remote workers.
Access to a Larger Talent Pool
Companies that cling to the old way of having people work in their offices will need to look for employees locally. On the other hand, companies that are willing to adopt the remote working model can access a larger talent pool.
Even if those 22 million seem insufficient, the option to go global is there. They’re one USA VPN away from providing their remote employees a secure connection and an IP address that will give them all the necessary conditions.
Cost Savings
Employing remote workers has shown that companies can save money, and it’s a substantial amount. Reducing the need for office space and supplies means that the company will spend less. When a company manages to reduce the team that works on-site, it can go for a smaller office, resulting in less spent on rent, utilities, cleaning services, maintenance and more.
To put things into perspective, a company is looking to save up to $11,000 for every remote employee annually. This can add up to a large sum of money that can be invested in company growth.
Increased Productivity
There has been a misconception surrounding remote work in terms of productivity. People have been saying that remote work makes people unproductive. A recent study revealed that it’s quite the opposite. Studies have shown that remote workers are more productive while working from home are actually more productive.
As much as companies are trying to create a peaceful and focus-oriented environment, there will still be some distractions. A colleague asking you on a coffee break or an environment that’s not whisper quiet isn’t something that can help people remain productive.
In addition, many remote workers have flexible working schedules, which can help keep them as productive as possible. This is essential, especially for employees who need to be creative. We cannot be 100% creative at all times, so sitting back to relax and trying again in a few hours can do wonders. The result is a better product.
Improved Employee Satisfaction
Considering how popular remote work is these days, it’s no wonder that more and more people are asking to work from their home offices. Even though many companies are offering this, there are still those who are holding on to the outdated model of working from the office. A recent survey shows that only 9% of employees want to work in an office, while the rest are into remote or hybrid work setups.
The numbers paint a complete picture and show that many employees today would gladly take a job at a company that offers remote or hybrid work options. Employees who work at these companies are more likely to stay longer because they’re getting conditions that they’re satisfied with.
Reduced Absenteeism
There are situations when employees need to take sick days, and it’s not anyone’s fault. When it comes to absenteeism, companies that rely on the remote work model aren’t struggling as much as those that require their employees to work in the office. While this doesn’t apply to any sick-day situation, in many cases, employees will be able to work.
Minor illnesses or personal responsibilities are only a few situations in which remote workers can continue to work or lose only a part of the working day. There are also situations when employees cannot make it to work for various reasons, something that remote work mitigates without any disruptions.
Business Agility
There are many situations where a company may need to bring in extra workers on a specific project. These are short-term requirements, ones that can be a problem for companies that are hiring people who only work on-site. Sure, some people will be happy with short-term assignments, but when you combine this with the limited talent pool we mentioned, it leaves companies in a tight position.
On the other hand, companies that rely on the remote work model can benefit from this. They can hire freelancers or contract workers on short-term projects and adjust to work demands as needed. Being flexible in today’s fast-paced business world is a massive advantage, one that helps companies grow.
Environmental Benefits
The advantages so far were company-related, and the last one we’ll talk about benefits the environment. Employees who need to work from an office need to commute either by car or public transport. Even though public transport is more sustainable and eco-friendly, the carbon footprint isn’t eliminated.
Remote workers, on the other hand, aren’t required to go anywhere and can work from the comfort of their homes. Some may go to a coworking space or a coffee shop, but others choose a place close to home. In any case, eliminating the need to travel anywhere is a massive environmental benefit, one that all of us are happy with.
Conclusion
As the popularity of remote work increased, more companies started to notice the benefits. Even though most employees are happy to work at a company that offers this working model, there are plenty of advantages for the companies as well.
While it’s not a perfect working model, the advantages outweigh the drawbacks, which is why its popularity has grown significantly. With proper planning, many more companies can transition to remote work, unlocking many opportunities for innovation and growth.