Many employees who are able to do their work from the home value the reduced stress and increased productivity that come with the absence of an on-site workplace. But do employers really benefit from working from home (WFH) schemes? In my opinion they do – and not only for direct financial reasons but also for the overall satisfaction of the employees which eventually triples down to the bottom line.
Employers have the same opportunities to capitalize on the benefits of having employees who work from home. Employers choose to implement a solution that allows employees to work from home for several reasons, including the reduction of overhead expenditures, the improvement of employee morale, and the acceleration of production.
Here is my list of 15 reasons why employers benefit:
1. Better communication
2. Improved efficiency
3. A greater level of adaptability
4. Increased employee retention
5. Decreased expenses
6. Increased output from the workforce
7. A decrease in the number of leaves
8. Balanced work-life
9. Expanded talent pool
10. High work satisfaction
11. Savings in time
12. Improved brand awareness
13. Globalization
14. Sustainability
15. Increased duration of working hours
Let’s jump straight into them one by one.
1. Better communication
It is essential to keep the team updated on progress as well as any challenges that may arise, particularly while working from home so that everyone is on the same page on the status of the project. Because employees were able to have face-to-face conversations with one another in the office, some claimed there were fewer misunderstandings in the workplace. But even within an office, most of the communication is happening through telecommunication tools, especially in large corporations. One might argue that since remote workers are even more well versed at these tools, communication is actually enhanced and even more focused on.
2. Improved efficiency
One of the advantages of working from home is that one may avoid the typical distractions that are present in an office setting. In a location with less background noise, it could be possible to make more rapid progress while also enjoying a more relaxed mood. You only need to have some good abilities for managing your time and a list of the essential tasks for you to do.
3. A greater level of adaptability
The flexibility to choose your work hours is another advantage of being working from home. When an employee is not needed to travel for work, they are able to work at the times of day when they are at their most productive, so saving a large amount of time.
4. Increased employee retention
According to Forbes, one of the advantages of allowing employees to work from home is an increase in employee satisfaction. Employees who were previously required to go to work each day express their extreme satisfaction at no longer being in that position. In addition to this, employees have a higher level of contentment with their professions when their schedules allow for greater freedom and flexibility. When employees are satisfied with their jobs and the company they work for, they are more likely to remain with that company, leading to higher employee retention.
5. Decreased expenses
In ordinary times, in addition to paying the salary of their employees, firms also had to pay for items such as electricity, rent, and the maintenance of things such as elevators and security systems. It is possible to say that businesses have enjoyed the benefits of working from home by decreasing their overhead expenditures as a result of this trend.
6. Increased output from the workforce
Employees who have the opportunity to work from home and have greater levels of independence and flexibility tend to have higher levels of productivity. This is one of the primary benefits that companies may get from their employees working from home. A study by Standford showed that working from home increased productivity by 13%, which was due to quitter and more convenient working environment and working more minutes per shift based on fewer breaks and sick leaves.
7. A decrease in the number of leaves
Working remotely has a number of advantages, one of which is reducing employee turnover. In the absence of lengthy journeys, there is a more relaxed environment and less exhausted staff since everyone is back at home. One of the advantages of working from home is choosing your working hours and organizing your day as you see appropriate.
8. Balanced work-life
People may be able to strike a better balance between their professional lives and their personal lives if they have the choice to work from home. Employees who are able to maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives are more productive and have a lower level of stress. When employees work from home, they often have more control over how they use their leisure time. Having a work schedule that is more flexible and not having to travel might make it easier to manage personal and family responsibilities.
9. Expanded talent pool
Companies that are not physically located in the same location as their employees may be able to attract candidates from all over the world. As a result of the flexibility that comes with working remotely, employers have access to a larger pool of qualified applicants from which to choose. An employee doesn't need to relocate if they have a dependable computer and internet connection at their disposal. There are several sites and platforms facilitating remote hire, for instance at Notchup we only focus on remote hires where all talent are put through screening process so the risk of remote hire is decreased drastically.
10. High work satisfaction
Workers who do their duties from their own homes have increased levels of autonomy and adaptability. Workers who are able to adjust to their surroundings may probably have higher levels of job satisfaction. Employees that are satisfied with their work environment tend to produce more work, creating a scenario in which both the employee and the employer benefit. There are many advantages that come with having a more devoted staff, including increased productivity, happier employees, and an improved reputation.
11. Savings in time
It's possible that an employee may save the company and themselves a substantial amount of time by working from home. It is not unusual for individuals to spend several hours getting themselves ready for work each morning. In addition, travelling to and from work each day occupies a considerable portion of an individuals 24 hour period. Businesses will be able to enhance their productivity and meet crucial deadlines with the aid of this extra time. As a consequence of this, employees may have a greater sense of fulfilment in their personal lives as well.
12. Improved brand awareness
It is possible that enabling workers to work from home may improve companies' public relations. If people are aware that an organization's employees are content, it is possible that they may be more inclined to support that organization. People who are looking for work can also be interested in working for a company that offers a higher degree of freedom in their positions.
13. Globalization
Employers may realize significant benefits from having staff stationed across the country and the world. This is since businesses have the potential to gain fresh ideas and ways of thinking by attracting people from a range of different backgrounds. You may be able to learn more about your employees if you have staff members operating in many marketplaces.
14. Sustainability
By hiring individuals in faraway locations, businesses may significantly lessen their impact on the environment. Distant firms can become more environmentally friendly by reducing their use of electricity and gas. People who work from home often useless gasoline and oil than those who go to an office, which may substantially impact the environment. On the other hand, workers can bring their own plates and utensils to work rather than using those provided on a disposable basis.
15. Increased duration of working hours
Businesses are able to operate for longer periods of time when they have employees located in a number of different time zones. Because employees report to and leave work at a variety of times throughout the day, it is much easier for companies to ensure that someone is working for the majority of the 24 hours a day. Things like customer service and other services that are available around the clock might potentially profit significantly from this.
There are a number of advantages to working from home that goes beyond monetary and time savings. These advantages include the development of more team work, increased productivity, and improved employee satisfaction. Notchup can help you find the right team members to hire for your global remote team. Get in touch with our sales team to learn more or sign up directly to the Notchup platform to post your job and browse through candidates.
About the writer:
Jay is a Senior Business Development manager at Notchup and can help you find, hire and onboard a remote tech team to your company. Get in touch for a short demo on how the Notchup platform works to get started with creating your dream-team with Notchup.
You can also reach Jay at: jay.parekh@notchup.com