The Benefits of a Remote Workforce Employers
People have never been more different and in search of a fit for their individualistic needs than in the modern era where technology and the economy march forward swiftly. For the 21st century office worker, turning to remote work is a dream job, but it is also a highly beneficial tool for an employer to streamline their business. A remote workforce consists of a group of employees who reside and do their work off-site, outside of a traditional office setting, all in unique locations connected via the internet. This is why it is also called ‘telecommuting’. Despite its name, though, remote working is not about isolation but about connecting individuals who are far apart to produce the best work without distractions or reliance on the company to provide materials or spaces.
There is a huge financial incentive for companies to take interest in creating a remote workforce, as it can cut costs without being detrimental to the output of work. The obligation to pay for office space, utilities, furniture, equipment for employees, and cleaning and maintenance can be a huge burden on smaller businesses that can be remediated by employing a remote workforce. Freelancers have their own equipment to use, and even if an office must be rented, employees can still hot-desk, reducing costs. Additionally, employees do not have to spend money on their daily commute anymore, and many would take this cut in expenditure over a pay raise. Remote working can be a magic bullet solution for burgeoning businesses that are straining under such costs, and a low-risk investment that is easier to manage than a traditional office or company.
Since the start of the pandemic when many businesses first shifted to remote working, it has become clear in numerous surveys that a sizable percentage of employees prefer remote working and would even leave their current office jobs for a permanent remote work job. It is a relatively unexplored niche that would attract employees who are primed and ready for working without a need for physical direction from their boss or colleagues, and providing such an option for employees within your organisation would improve their satisfaction with and image of the company. In turn the reputation of the company grows more positive, as well as appearing on the radar for new, talented applicants.
That brings us to the next reason why a remote workforce is so beneficial – its reach. People from more distant locations become options for new hires now, meaning the talent pool becomes larger and spans more locations. It brings a rich diversity of hires with increased competition to market their skills, and as remote working isn’t an option in most companies, offering this brings your company to their attention. It becomes an attractive place for talented people to send in applications. The flood of access it offers to both potential hires in finding a suitable company and to the company in finding new talent is incredibly beneficial, and additionally it could allow the company name to be heard worldwide and to operate 24/7 as it spans across time zones. Such a company and style of working is the epitome of a 21st century company that values efficiency and individualistic work-life balance over safe but sluggish tradition.
Furthermore, a remote workforce is less prone to absenteeism and other interruptions in workflow. In a traditional on-site working space, employees who have a further commute are more likely to stay at home when they feel slightly sick than those who have a very short commute. With remote working, light illness is not a hindrance to working as employees can rest in a more comfortable environment while they complete their tasks, and have no fears of passing on contagious illnesses. Remote working cleanly eliminates lateness due to traffic, and it buffers against in-office distractions from other employees like gossiping or disagreements as the employee has little non-work related contact with the others. For an employer, there is no need to keep a check on and question employees about such disruptions, or to penalise those who are often late. It is a professional and manageable solution to such woes.
From here, one can see how it would be a boon to productivity. The unique focus and professionalism it stokes in employees would be more difficult to produce in a traditional office setup, especially in smaller, less fast paced companies. Gone are the time wasting in-person meetings where one would have to wait for everyone to arrive, or the coffee runs that came with group work. A remote workforce is engrossed in merely their own work and completing their own tasks without looking around at others, providing the company with attentive and fast employees who are detached from the humdrum of a typical, unexciting and uncomfortable office where they long to go home.
Also importantly, through simply meeting the employees where they are the company sees an increase in employee retention as their individual needs are met. Securing talent and then holding onto it long term is a determining factor in a company’s success, as a high turnover rate can easily tip into a shortage of workers and a drainage of skills as employees leave the company. A remote workforce may seem distant and unwieldy, yet when handled correctly the employers will see that remote workers are just as loyal and arguably more productive than on-site workers.
An overlooked benefit for employers is that they will be running a more eco-friendly workforce. Employers, like any other individuals, have concerns and as humans begin an inevitable shift towards climate consciousness and adapting to policies, many will find it in their interest to meet these goals for greenness too. There are numerous ways that regular offices contribute to the crisis, with a reliance on paper documentation and long commutes for thousands of workers, canteens full of disposable single-use plastics, and high-rise buildings that need large AC systems to be habitable. Being able to predict and adapt to policy changes before they arrive is pragmatic for companies, and additionally both the public and employees alike view climate consciousness with more trust and satisfaction.
