17 Key Benefits of Remote Work for Employers and Employees

In fact, many of today’s top companies offer full, half, or partial remote work. Working remotely doesn’t always mean “from home,” either; it can apply anytime an employee works off-site—whether that’s at a coffee shop or a flexible workspace. Available data suggests that remote workers are more productive than in-office employees, with fewer defects in work product output and quality. One 2013 study from Stanford University examined a Chinese travel agency’s experience and concluded that remote work boosted performance and productivity by up to 22% over in-office work. In addition, a 2015 survey reported by SHRM concluded that 77% of remote employees reported greater productivity, with 30% reporting that they got more done in less time. By adopting remote-friendly policies, you can empower employees to perform work whenever it’s best for their schedule and preferences.

You can ditch the time-consuming commute.

For instance, your bosses may not notice and appreciate your accomplishments as much or you may not be pulled into meetings that impact your work. You also miss out on spontaneous chats that can deepen workplace relationships, build trust, and lead to promotions. You’re also able to match your breaks to your natural peaks and dips in focus.

Better talent retention

1. Perhaps it’s occasional in-person meetings with your team, if that’s feasible.
2. You should also make sure to check that your organization can legally employ someone based in the state or country you’re looking to move to.
3. As of February 2022, nearly 60% of U.S. workers with jobs that can be done remotely are working from home all or most of the time, according to Pew.
4. When they see what slows them down (e.g., back-to-back-to-back meetings), they adjust.
5. Remote employees can create their own work schedules, accommodating personal commitments, preferences, and peak productivity times.
6. When practiced correctly, the benefits of working from home are numerous and can lead to a healthier and more productive workforce.

But, before venturing into the world of remote work, businesses must take a look at their current office culture, team sizes, and business goals. Starting a new job is stressful for most people, even under the best of circumstances. But new hires to an organization might feel overwhelmed if they are going from a traditional office to one primary based at home. Not only do they have to learn how to perform in their new role, but they must also learn to navigate new technology. As a result, managers may spend more time coaching a new remote employee.

Being a remote employee promotes employee well-being

Ctrip saved roughly $260 per employee per year on reduced turnover, Bloom and his colleagues found. Bloom doesn’t recommend taking this to the extreme and moving to a fully remote workforce, though. Sure, it would save a ton of money, but any inflexible arrangement has the potential to alienate employees. After all, when the Ctrip experiment ended, more than half of the remote workforce chose to start commuting again.

When your surroundings match your work preferences, you’ll be able to get more done. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, many companies have shifted to a remote workforce or hybrid work model and are now seeing the benefits of remote work for the first time. Moreover, they’re saving vast amounts of time each week by forgoing the daily commute, which also reduces absenteeism and increases productivity. Remote work can make managing job duties and other competing obligations less stressful with the understanding that employees are people, first and foremost.

An analysis of employee data conducted by the Fiduciary Group in 2020 confirmed this. Another benefits of working remotely benefit of remote work is that it can increase employee productivity. Remote work also makes it easier for employees to manage doctor appointments, check on an ailing parent, accommodate a child’s school schedule or other challenges.

With no office distractions, such as chatty colleagues or unnecessary meetings, remote workers can concentrate better on their tasks. They can also create a work environment that suits their preferences, increasing job satisfaction and performance. It’s clear that the advantages of remote work help keep employees happy, engaged, and fulfilled.

The top 8 benefits of remote work for employees

As you may know firsthand, when work expands and seeps into your free time like this, it can throw off your work-life balance and accelerate burnout. With the many benefits of remote work for employers and employees, it’s here to stay and will continue to shape how we work in the years to come. Offering employees the option and benefits of remote work helps with retention as well as recruiting. In Bloom’s experiment, the group working from home quit their jobs about half as frequently as the group working in the office. Your daily commute can compound or increase your stress levels as you deal with factors beyond your control, such as rude passengers, vehicle breakdowns, and traffic jams.