Why we should embrace the new normal of remote work

Working remotely isn’t a new trend but with Covid-19, companies have been pushed towards a new normal of remote work. People are now discovering that many of their long meetings can be summarised in emails. And that you no longer need to reserve a board room when Zoom meetings are just a few clicks away. It is clear more than ever that remote work is the new model we should be embracing.

Here are five benefits of remote work and why you should make the transition towards the digital workplace.

5 benefits of working remotely

1. Remote work increases productivity and performance

According to a 2020 Airtasker survey report of 1,004 workers’ daily habits, people who work remotely are more productive than their office counterparts. Without the hassle of commuting or the distraction of socialising over long coffee breaks, people have more time for their work.

People can focus better since they are given the responsibility to track their own time. You have more control over your time and boundaries than in an office. No one is around to hover around your desk or distract you from the tasks at hand.

2. Having a more flexible work schedule

Struggling to trust whether your employee is working? The key to working remotely is to promote transparency and trust within your team. Your team can still clock in with eight hours a day from the comfort of their own home. Flexible work schedules allow employees to put in their 8 hours depending on their productivity body clock – whether they are a night owl or an early bird. This ensures lower rates of absenteeism and increased productivity.

Technology has made it easier for us to stay connected without constant supervision. You can use time monitoring software online to help you manage remote staff without micromanaging. At erjjio, we are powered by an amazing remote team and we use Hubstaff to track and analyse the time we spend on our work. We also use Trello and Basecamp to collaborate and discuss progress on our projects. 

3. More time for fitness goals and healthier days

When you are working from the comfort of your own home you have fewer chances of catching communicable diseases. You won’t have to spend five days a week cramped inside trains or buses getting to the office and risk infecting others. Instead, you are at home and only a few steps away from your desk. So, lesser sick days! 

With a good routine and productive workflow, you’ll have more free time in your hands than usual. And you can use it for your health! Which is especially important when you spend 8 to 9 hours sedentary, working on your tasks.

Use your extra time and squeeze in a workout session after or before your shift. Compared with an office setting, you can stand up and find ways to move around more. And you can finally enjoy healthy home-cooked meals! No more fast-food cravings as an excuse for a long lunch break.

4. Remote working is budget-friendly

Speaking of fast-food cravings, you have more control over your spending habits working at home. No more expensive lunch breaks or frequent coffee breaks at Starbucks. On average, UK workers will save up to £44.78 per week by not spending money on fuel and commuting. 

Having trouble picking out an outfit to work? Remote work will also lower wardrobe expenses, especially for offices with a strict dress code. For employers, you can save money on office materials and building maintenance. Fewer people at the office means less energy and waste consumption. It’s easier to budget each month with fewer expenses.

5. Environmental benefits of remote work

Twenty-four per cent of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions stem from transportation. Remote work means no commute and fewer hours on the road, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Global Workforce Analytics study above estimated that if companies allowed remote work for half the week, we can reduce emissions by 54 million tonnes every year. 

With everyone at home, the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a positive environmental effect across the globe. The strict social distancing restrictions in China have led to a 25% drop in the country’s carbon dioxide emissions. And with fewer vehicles on the road, Los Angeles is experiencing the longest continuous period of clear skies in decades.  

Embrace the new normal

According to the Office of National Statistics, UK workers transitioning into remote working schemes has increased by nearly a quarter of a million over the past decade. 

The digital space is the new workplace. Technology and the Internet have enabled us to find ways to stay productive, away from a traditional office setting. Software and apps have made it easy for us to work from the comfort of our own home. With all these benefits, it’s clear that remote work is here to stay.