Why Remote Working is the Best


Remote working has a tonne of benefits for workers – and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are learning how to work from home like never before. Even before the pandemic, remote working was growing in popularity with many companies and freelancers alike. If you’re not convinced about the benefits of working remotely, here are some of the benefits of remote work!

Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is a huge benefit of working remotely – gone are the days of long commutes, and gone too are the days of hanging around the office until you can clock out for the day. Instead, remote work allows you to work only when you have work to do, and from the comfort of your own home or chosen coffee shop. This gives you a much more flexible schedule – you can start and end your day when you like, as long as you complete all of your work. For those with children or other responsibilities, this flexible schedule is invaluable when it comes to attending the needs of your family and personal life. If you’re a student, too, remote working gives you the flexibility to work around your class timetable.

“Whether it’s picking up the kids from school, attending appointments, going to the shops or attending that morning yoga class, working remotely allows you to find that long-sought after work-life balance,” says Chloe Molina, HR manager at StudydemicOpens in a new tab..

Time Saving

Did you know that the average commute is 30 minutes? That’s an hour everyday getting to and from work for most of us! And, according to the Auto Insurance Center, motorists spend around 42 hours stuck in traffic each year, which hugely adds to those commute times. As the name suggests, remote work is done remotely – there is no need for a commute to the office. You can gain back an incredible 11 days per year that would have been spent commuting – that means more time for your hobbies and family.

You can sleep in a little bit later, get a morning workout done, eat a good breakfast or simply finish working earlier. As you spend less time in traffic jams and more time actually working and resting, you may find your quality of life improves dramatically!

The Environment

Commuting to work can take a huge amount of energy – not just yours, but that of your vehicle and other modes of transportation. On the other hand, being a remote worker can lead to you reducing your carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. In the US alone, remote workers take 600,000 cars off the road a year, according to the ‘State of Telecommuting in the US Employee Workforce’ report. Even working remotely part time can still hugely decrease the number of vehicles used to commute to work.

As a remote worker, you’re also saving on the amount of energy used to heat or air condition offices, as you just use your home instead.

Increased Productivity

According to a recent FlexJobs survey, 65% of professionals believe that they would be more productive working remotely than in a traditional office, with only 49% saying that they go to their home (or home office) when they really need to get some stuff done.

With that said, working from home can lead to fewer interruptions, less office politics, a more tolerable noise level, and either less meeting or more efficient ones. Plus, there’s a lack of vigoruous commuting from home to work, and back again. And, with fewer distractions, remote workers typically have more time on their hands, thus leading to increased productivity, which is a huge benefit for both employees and employers alike.

In short, when done right, remote work lets employeesOpens in a new tab. and companies focus on what truly matters—performance.

But, with that said, the office environment may create these “false positives” that can potentially lead to bias and favoritism. In fact, while coming in early and leaving late may “look” like more work, the actual performance of said work is a much better sign of productivity. Similarly, according to a study done by Gallup, about 60% of U.S. workers who have been working remotely during the pandemic have said that they would like to continue remote working as much as possible in the future.

Saving Money

It’s not just the environment you’ll be saving – it’s the pennies in your pocket, too! Remote workers save on a ton of things like gas, car maintenance, lunches bought out and childcare. You may also find yourself buying less outfits, which all adds up in your savings!

A Better Office Space

“Working from home might not be the dream for everyone – it’s good to have a division between the areas you relax in and areas you work in,” says Lexie Whitley, a writer at AcademizedOpens in a new tab. and Best Essay Writing ServiceOpens in a new tab.. ”However, if you are a successful remote worker, you probably know that it’s easy and enjoyable to make a home office that fits the bill.”

You get to choose everything in this office, from a comfy chair to the best stationary equipment, to the colors of the walls! This is particularly useful if you have health issues that need specialized office equipment.

Customizable Scheduling

Believe it or not, tons of work can be done remote nowadays on a flexible schedule. You heard right! You can essentially do a bunch of work on your own time!

For example, if you’re a web developer or a content creator, you’ll probably want to do your coding or writing at any time you want, as long as you schedule a time and place, and meet those important deadlines. Therefore, remote work is a good time for both night owls and early birds!

Plus, customizing you work schedule lets you set aside time for you to take breaks when needed. Whether you take a 10-minute break, or take a two-hour-long break, it’s all up to you, as long as you can get back to working to meet that pesky deadline – or get work done WAY BEFORE the deadline. And with breaks, you can do whatever you like – take a refreshing power nap, play a little Fortnite, run to the store to buy more essentials, or waste time on Facebook.

Better Health

With more time and money, comes a healthier existence. As previously mentioned, remote workers tend to have more time for exercise, cooking, and relaxation time. You’ll also be able to care for a relative or yourself if you have an illness, and you’ll avoid the colds and flus that come with public transport – it’s a win all round!

Conclusion

As the world continues to wait out the pandemic – despite it being hard on those who have been furloughed or lost their job because of it – remote work is, and will continue to be, on-demand for millions of employees around the world. Yes, as the working-from-home option is becoming more of an option for people during the COVID-19 crisis, remote work is actually becoming beneficial for those on a global scale, since it allows people to do more outside the office. Thus, remote work is sure to become the best path forward in this day and age.

Author Bio:

Katherine Rundell is a business writer. She writes about benefits of remote working. 

Steve Todd

Steve Todd, founder of Open Sourced Workplace and is a recognized thought leader in workplace strategy and the future of work. With a passion for work from anywhere, Steve has successfully implemented transformative strategies that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. Through Open Sourced Workplace, he fosters collaboration among HR, facilities management, technology, and real estate professionals, providing valuable insights and resources. As a speaker and contributor to various publications, Steve remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of workplace innovation, helping organizations thrive in today's dynamic work environment.

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