By Kristen Harris
Remote work has moved from a future trend to current reality. Every day more companies allow, and in some cases even encourage, employees to work remotely. Ours included—currently, 20% of our internal staff are fully remote, and all of our internal team members have the option to work remotely a day or two per week if they like. Some people feel it helps their productivity and frequently work remotely; others prefer the consistency of coming to the office. We’re continuously listening to what our employees need to be successful, and clearly, other companies are doing the same.
Just two years ago, we would occasionally suggest a client consider remote candidates to find the exact talent they were looking for; some were open to the idea, but many were unsure. Now more clients are asking us about the possibility of engaging our talent remotely; they’re initiating that conversation before we even bring it up.
Why this shift? There is a wide range of benefits to remote work for both companies and workers.
Remote Work Benefits for Companies:
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Access to more talent, especially with specialized skills. Tap into a candidate pool much broader than your local city. Be sure to consider time zone and cultural differences when deciding how far you want to go.
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Access to talent with work limitations. Some people have disabilities or other challenges that make it very difficult or impossible to work in a traditional office environment. Remote work can provide opportunities to these people and bring them into the job market. With the current talent shortage, we need to utilize all people who want and need work opportunities.
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Employee retention! Remote or flexible work options consistently rank as a top benefit employees want, often even more than higher pay. Providing this option, even a day or two a week, can help you retain great people on your team.
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Increased work quality or production. Open offices are the norm now for most workspaces, but that kind of set-up isn’t great for everyone. Some employees feel they can do better, more efficient work in a less distracting environment. By providing options, your people can do their best work every day.
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Potential for lower salaries or pay rates. If your business is in a competitive market with a high cost of living (think Silicon Valley, NYC, or an urban vs. rural area), salaries and rates are driven up by those expenses. People need to make enough to live there! By employing someone in an area with a lower cost of living, you can pay them very well but less than what may be required in your expensive location. That’s a real win-win.
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Cost shifting. If a portion of your team works remotely, you might need less office space or can have a few smaller regional offices. The savings from rent, office expenses, and utilities can be applied to other areas, including the technology and in-person get-togethers that make remove work workable.
Remote Work Benefits for Employees:
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Access to more opportunities. Remote workers can have a broader range and selection of jobs when their location is less of a factor. If you have very specialized skills, by working remotely, you can offer those skills to companies outside of your local market.
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Live where you love. If you work 100% remotely, you’re able to live in a less expensive area or near family. Or you can live out my dream of being a digital nomad, working and traveling the world.
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Save money and time. By cutting out your commute a day or two each week, or entirely, you’ll save both time and money. That could allow you to exercise more, drop your kids off at school, or apply a few more hours to that big work project you’ve been trying to get done.
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Controlled environment. Being in control of your work environment means you can set it up in a way that helps you focus and do your best work. Quiet space can help you tackle projects that need deep thinking or concentration.
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New access to work. If you have a disability or otherwise challenged by commuting or working in an office environment, remote work could allow you to enter the job market or rise in your career.
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Flexibility. Depending on your role and employer, remote work might allow some flexibility to handle life needs. This comes with a huge caveat–not every position is flexible. You may be required to maintain a standard schedule, clock in and out, or let someone know when you’re stepping away from your desk even if that desk is at home.
There are many benefits to remote work for both companies and employees. Check out our article, Remote Work: Making It Work, for tips on how to make it successful!