In the past few years, companies have embraced remote working cultures and moved away from traditional office environments. As businesses navigate the changing landscape of work, stigmas surrounding remote working remain a barrier to fully adopting this modern way to operate.
According to CIPD data, more than 80% of UK organisations offer hybrid working arrangements. 52% of these require employees to physically be present at the workplace for a certain number of days – usually two or three per week . According to a recent Forbes study, 98% of employees want to work remotely some of the time and 16% are adopting a completely remote approach.
Many employers still believe that despite this trend, working from home creates a generation of workers who ‘do not do proper work [2]. This could affect overall productivity. Some companies, such as Amazon Boots, and JP Morgan, have ended their remote working policies. They now require all head office staff to come to work every day.
The resistance to remote work is a misunderstanding of the many benefits that it can provide to employers and employees. PushFar has shared with employers the top five advantages of hybrid and remotely working.
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Productivity Increased
Remote work can increase productivity, despite common misconceptions. This is because it provides a flexible working environment. Recent research has shown that 77% who work remotely a few days per week or more show an increase in their productivity. 30% do more work in less than half the time, and 24% do more work within the same time period .
This allows employees to focus better and produce higher quality work. It also allows employees to develop routines that suit their own work styles, which is beneficial for both the employee and the company.
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Recruiting and Retaining talent
Many individuals in today’s workplace consider remote or hybrid work to be essential, and they often require it when applying for a job. Recent research has shown that 69% of women and 80% of men find remote work to be the most important factor when looking for employment [4].
This is also an important factor in keeping employees within a company. 52% of men, and 60% of females say that they’d rather quit their jobs than go back to work full-time [5].
Companies can attract more diverse candidates by offering their employees the option of working remotely or in a hybrid environment.
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Enhancing Employee Wellbeing
Remote and hybrid working can be beneficial to employee wellbeing, as they allow for a better balance between work and life and give employees greater control over their workplace. Hybrid and remote working reduces the stress of daily commutes, and allows employees to focus more on their personal wellbeing. This allows them to perform better and reduces the risk of burnout. Researchers found that hybrid workers experienced a reduction in fatigue (79%), anxiety (72%), and stress (78%). 86% of respondents said they managed their day-to-day life more efficiently [6].
Employers can expect to see a happier and more engaged team, as well as a higher level of productivity.
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Increased Job Satisfaction
Remote work is associated with greater job satisfaction because of the autonomy and trust that remote workers enjoy. Micromanagement and rigid office schedules can lead to dissatisfaction and burnout in traditional office settings. Remote and hybrid work arrangements give employees greater control over when and how they complete tasks.
Workers can manage their time to suit their personal rhythms and lives by designing their own schedules. This flexibility is especially beneficial to those who have long commutes or other obligations.
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Enhanced Diversity
Finally, hybrid working and remote work also allow for a diverse and inclusive workforce. Businesses can hire people from all over the world, resulting in teams with diverse cultural, socio-economic and regional backgrounds. This can lead to more innovative solutions and a more inclusive culture.
Neurodivergent people can be attracted to remote and hybrid working structures, which expands the pool of talent for companies looking to hire. Traditional office environments, which are often overwhelming for neurodivergent workers, like those with ADHD or autism, can be challenging because of factors such as bright lighting, noise and social interaction. Around 15-20% of people in the world have neurodivergence [7]. This is a great way to make your workplace more inclusive.
Read PushFar’s article about thriving in a Remote First Workplace for more information.
The original version of this article Breaking The Working From Home Stigma: Benefits Of A Hybrid And Remote Workplace appeared first on HR News.
