Although for years it was the standard, not everyone these days has to work in an office. Today, many people work from home thanks to the internet giving them the ability to telecommute. 3.2 percent of the US workforce now works from home. There are many good reasons for this. Below are four great advantages to working remotely.
Slashes Costs for Employers
One of the most significant advantages to allowing employees to work remotely is that it can greatly slash costs. Having an employee work in a company office costs money. When an employee implements a home office instead, these overhead expenses are eliminated entirely except perhaps a few fixed costs like utility bills for the entire office space. If you have no need for office workers at all, these too can be eliminated. Remote workers free up money and resources so they can be spent elsewhere.
Live Wherever You Want
The greatest benefit for employees is that telecommuting allows you to work wherever you want. No longer will you have to move from place to place based on your job. You can choose to live where you want based on your own family’s preferences. You also won’t have to stick to apartments due to the fear of being relocated. You may not be able to afford a nice house for your family in the big city your company is located in, but you may be able to live very comfortably somewhere else. You can seek out real estate companies to see where your money will stretch the furthest.
Relocation Is Stressful for Families
Often, the alternative to working remotely is relocating to where a company’s physical offices are located. This is very expensive for both employers and employees. However, the mental strain can also be taxing. It can be very hard for families. They often lose all their friends and most of their social network after relocating. Leaving a school system in the middle of the school year is especially hard for children.
It Increases Productivity
What some people may be surprised to hear is that remote working can actually increase an employee’s productivity. People assume that workers will slack off without direct supervision and be overcome with distractions. However, studies have shown exactly the opposite. Telecommuters tend to work harder and with fewer interruptions than traditional office employees.
In today’s business world, not everyone has to work from an office cubicle. In many cases, it is actually better to work from home. Both employers and employees can benefit from allowing workers to work remotely. It can increase efficiency, productivity and cost savings. Consider whether or not this would work best for you. There is a good chance it could.