The Covid-19 pandemic hit the world and forced many businesses to adopt remote work as “The New Normal,” changing the way we work. So, let's see how remote working changes the workplace landscape.
The pandemic has changed all aspects of our lives, including work routines. Remote work emerged as a practical solution during this unusual time to keep the wheels of the economy turning.
Even though the pandemic’s end, remote work remains implemented in most companies.
Until the Covid-19 pandemic has ended, remote work is still implemented in several companies and is part of The New Normal.
Despite debates about the positives and negatives of remote work, it’s clear that this futuristic approach to remote work is here to stay.
How Remote Working Is Changing Employees
According to a survey conducted by PwC, more than 80% of employees want to work from home at least once a week, and more than half want to work from home full-time.
Before Covid-19, only some employees had ever worked remotely. But after the remote work policy due to Covid-19, many employees are still determining whether they want to return to work in the office. Companies must become more flexible as more employees desire to maintain remote work.
Move to the suburbs. Upwork released a report on the trend of remote work. They found that remote work has driven 2.4% of people, or 4.9 million Americans, from downtown since 2020. Employees recognise that remote work allows them to work from anywhere, so they can save on living costs by moving to the outskirts of town.
Remote work is expected to grow, at least 3-4 days a week at home and 1-2 days a week in the office. Therefore, remote workers must create comfortable workspaces to maximise productivity.
In addition, by working remotely, workers can better restore and maintain work-life balance by prioritising eating healthy, nutritious, and timely food. Based on a study conducted by Buffer found that 90% of remote workers have good remote work experience. The survey shows remote workers are less likely to burn out and stress.
How Remote Working Is Changing Enterprise Management
Virtual Offices: One of the biggest problems early in the pandemic was that remote workers were only ready to work from home for a short time. Now, many remote teams use virtual offices when working remotely.
Tools for remote workers: Some remote workers still need access to certain supplies. Video conferencing platforms, project management software, and real-time communication are some of the most crucial tools for remote workers. Managers should expect that only some remote workers can use these tools.
Proactive communication: Contacting employees proactively and offering training material on how remote work is changing and the appropriate tool to keep up is critical.
Improve productivity: In addition, another biggest challenge is shifting company attention from process to results. It usually doesn't matter when remote employees work; what counts is what they produce and how well they do it. This naturally implies that their schedule won't conflict with or negatively affect the work of other employees or any other component of the company.
Scheduled meetings: Management needs to schedule face-to-face meetings to maintain employee relations and be professional. Even if it's just small talk, this can improve teamwork. Meeting in person can also be a moment of sharing and evaluating how effective the remote system is and what obstacles often occur.
6 Benefits of Remote Work in Business
1. Work-life balance
Remote work allows employees to balance their work with their responsibilities and hobbies without the stress of being alone.
They can work from the comfort of their homes and avoid the long commute, which can lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
A better work-life balance can also reduce stress levels and contribute to improved mental health, which positively impacts overall performance.
2. Reduced operational costs
With remote work, companies can save a significant amount of money on office rent, utilities, and equipment.
Remote workers operate from their homes or other locations, so the company doesn't need to provide office space or bear the associated costs. This can lead to substantial savings for the company, which can be invested in other areas to drive growth and profitability.
3. Collaboration around the world
Remote work allows companies to recruit the best talent from around the world, regardless of their geographical location.
This opens up a vast pool of candidates with various skills and perspectives, which can benefit the company's needs. By embracing remote work, companies can build diverse and inclusive teams that can drive creativity and innovation.
4. Diverse and inclusive workspace
Hiring employees from different backgrounds and cultures can help create a more diverse and inclusive workplace. This can lead to increased creativity, as people from different backgrounds tend to bring different perspectives and ideas to the table.
A more diverse and inclusive workplace can also foster a sense of belonging and positive energy, which can boost employee morale and job satisfaction.
5. Reduced absenteeism rates
Remote workers have better flexibility to manage their work and other responsibilities efficiently, which reduces the likelihood of employee absenteeism.
Further, they can work from their homes or other locations, which means they are less likely to catch illnesses or be affected by adverse weather conditions. So it can increase productivity.
6. Reduced risk of illness
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of remote work in reducing the spread of infectious diseases in the workplace.
By embracing remote work, companies can reduce the risk of illness spreading and ensure that their employees remain healthy and productive.
Wrapping Up
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a significant change in the way we work, with remote work becoming "The New Normal" for many businesses. Although the pandemic's end is uncertain, it's clear that remote work is here to stay.
Remote work benefits both employees and companies. Moreover, companies must adapt to these changes and become more flexible to accommodate remote workers' needs to succeed in this new era of work.
