The Many Benefits of Remote Work

An important part of our everyday lives has quickly become the ability to work and communicate remotely. However, this idea is fairly new in its conception, as the pandemic was the overarching reason for this transition. In 2020, millions of people across the United States and beyond worked exclusively from home, now a number that is on a steady decline. However, despite this decline, in 2023 around 40% of U.S. employees still work remotely at least once per week.

Industries like professional, business, and educational services have flourished under this model, and show no signs of returning to the old ways. There are opportunities to work remotely or on a hybrid schedule all across the nation, as many people are still taking advantage of them. Although the popularity and necessity of working from home has settled since the pandemic, the benefits that it presents for employees and companies as a whole cannot be ignored. 

Maintaining distributed teams both in the office and at home has become an integral part of the American business model. This is mainly due to the many benefits that employees are able to enjoy under this system, benefits that were not yet realized until after the pandemic. The first and most obvious benefit is the elimination of the dreaded commute. The time needed to get ready and arrive at the office on time, or to return home again at the end of the day adds unnecessary chaos and stress for employees.

Without this stress, this time can be taken back and allocated elsewhere. In addition, added expenses that are usually incurred when commuting, such as gas and food, can also be decreased or completely eliminated. When Americans work from home, over 40% report feeling a greater sense of flexibility throughout the day. Some also specifically state that they enjoy the extra time they have with friends, family, or can spend on extracurricular hobbies. The workday itself is also full of more quiet time and often fewer meetings, which only adds to the growing list of benefits. Work/life balance is at its peak under this model, and employees are not the only group that can see the positives.

When employees see the benefits of remote work, the overall productivity and success of the company increases. In turn, the lives of higher-ups and employers are made easier as well. The number one change that studies have reported surrounding the workplace environment is the reduction in absenteeism. Businesses have reported nearly 60% fewer employee absences, and 50% fewer taken sick days. Another significant change that has been observed is the boost in productivity from employees.

This overall newfound enjoyment at work makes people more inclined to work, which also lowers turnover. In recent years, employee churn has been reduced by 50%. Finally, having distributed teams can reduce the cost per employee by tens of thousands of dollars annually. This creates a sort of symbiotic relationship between managers and their employees, bettering the state of the business in more ways than one.

There is still a very clear desire for the opportunity to work from home, even after several years since its conception and implementation. The overall benefits are undoubtedly significant, and the future of remote work is bright. This popularity has led experts to begin to explore what businesses need to do to keep these teams out of the office. There are a few imperative steps that need to be taken in order to achieve this. First, connectivity platforms, most commonly Zoom or Microsoft Teams, need to be up and running. These are imperative to ensure that employees are connected and communicative no matter where they work. When having teams that connect from different places in the United States, poor connection can hinder productivity and put a stop to meaningful collaboration. 

Next, cybersecurity and IT tools must be in peak condition, ready to defend against threats. Now that most business proceedings are taking place online, vital information is more likely to be sought after by hackers and ill-intentioned third parties. Keeping this data safe should be a priority of every company that operates online. Finally, artificial intelligence and similar advanced technology should be used to optimize business proceedings and create cohesive schedules for employees. This type of software can help people to work smarter not harder, and be more efficient every step of the way.

The future of work and collaboration is only going to get more demanding. Remote work has become a tool that we now rely on, and the companies that continue to embrace it will be the ones that come out on top.

Written by Brian Wallace.

Have you read?
Ranked: Countries with the Most Boxing World Champions, 2024.
Ranked: The Most Charitable Countries in the World, 2024.
Revealed: Countries with the Highest Percentage of Atheists, 2024.
Revealed: Which Countries Produce The Most Major League Baseball (MLB) Players?
Revealed: Here are the least-visited countries in the world, 2024.

This report/news/ranking/statistics has been prepared only for general guidance on matters of interest and does not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication, and, to the extent permitted by law, CEOWORLD magazine does not accept or assume any liability, responsibility or duty of care for any consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the information contained in this publication or for any decision based on it.

Email Address*

Name