Historically, millennial workers have been drawn to startups over more prominent organizations because startups frequently offer remote working opportunities to their employees. However, post-COVID-19, all corporations have begun understanding the benefits of telework.
Remote work, or telework, is on the rise. Telework is a term that describes when companies offer employees the flexibility to choose their worksite, an ever-increasing necessity in a tight job market. It’s considered an attractive option for not only employees but also employers. Flexjobs published a report that stated nearly 3.9 million employees in the US prefer to work at home for a minimum of 2 to 3 days per week.
Telework can increase employees’ productivity by offering flexible working hours and improving work-life balance. It is surprising to some, but this is one of the prime reasons companies adopt remote working practices. Let’s discuss a few ways telework can enhance the productivity of employees:
Less Commuting With Teleworking
Telework implies that an employee works remotely or in a coworking space closer to home. A hybrid or fully remote schedule can significantly eliminate commuting time to work. Employees can use this time to add value to the business, thereby enhancing productivity. This also reduces the time we try to get ready in the morning. Overall, working from home will save you one to two hours per day, enhancing productivity.
The long, overcrowded train journey can leave the employees drained, making them feel exhausted even before reaching the workspace. Telework allows individuals to start their workday fresh, giving them mental and physical stamina to contribute. All these elements will work wonders for productivity.
How Telework Increases Flexibility
Teleworking gives employees the flexibility to manage their work schedules. A remote worker has the liberty to work anytime they feel productive. They don’t sit at their desk in a typical 9 to 5 fashion, allowing them to complete the projects on their terms while meeting deadlines. One can manage personal and social responsibilities effectively and holistically with telework.
For instance, your employee can take care of their doctor’s appointments without needing to take an entire day off and still complete the work on the same day. Flexible working allows employees to allocate time to work outside regular working hours while catering to their other responsibilities — autonomy regarding time management results in improved job satisfaction and work motivation which are crucial to productivity.
The Comfort Quotient
Working in a relaxed mind is critical for inspiring productivity and creativity. Flexible working allows employees to work in an atmosphere that makes them feel most comfortable. Working from home enables people to work in comfortable attire without needing to stick to a formal dress code or sit in a particular manner. Essentially, remote working gives employees complete control over their work environment, which motivates them to put their best foot forward.
Teleworking Minimizes Workspace Stress
Let’s face it, most people don’t want to go to work every day. Workplace politics, constant pressure to stand out, and being surrounded by coworkers you might not like are just a few examples that contribute to employees’ stress levels. We all know that a stressed individual cannot maintain constant productivity, and workspace stress can lead to severe health problems.
Employees shouldn’t be forced to work for extended periods under poor conditions. Remote workers do not experience such issues, reducing stress and improving productivity. Almost all office spaces also feature bright lights, which can unknowingly increase the employees’ stress levels.
We know that appropriate lighting, amenities, and workplace design are crucial to employee morale and productivity. Even if it’s impossible for employees to telework five days a week, you can reduce workspace stress and improve productivity with well-designed private offices.
No Geographical Restrictions
Restricting the employees to a physical location limits your ability to recruit the best employees. Hunting employees remotely give you access to a bigger pool of candidates and enable you to hire the best talent. A potential employee might not want to relocate for you but will happily work remotely when needed. Hiring the best employee for a job boosts productivity and helps you reach your business goals faster. It is a win-win situation for business owners as well as employees.
Telework = Less Distraction
As per the data collected by SurePayroll, nearly 61% of employees label loud colleagues as a major distraction, and a significant factor is reduced productivity. Moreover, 86% said that working alone maximizes their productivity levels. This data set indicates that a quiet, distraction-free workspace is conducive to a focused mind and results in improved productivity.
We can all agree that an office environment can distract with noisy colleagues, office politics, and socializing stations. These can shift the employee’s focus away from work, which is never great. Working remote eliminates these distractions and leads to efficient working. Workers can manage their schedules, minimize distractions, and do their best work.
Final Takeaway
The benefits stated above will encourage employers to embrace flexible and remote working. We will surely see big guns embrace the trend. While startups are the champions of telework, more prominent organizations can benefit from the trend too. The data indicate that workers today prefer to work from their own space and on their terms.
There is nothing to lose as an employer here. When your employees are productive, your business is bound to flourish. Moreover, removing working is undoubtedly here to stay. The quicker you embrace the new trends in the market, the faster you will be able to set your business for success.
Moreover, it helps you maintain a competitive edge in the industry. If you have any questions, thoughts, or concerns, leave them down in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you.
