Why You Shouldn’t Return To Work: The Case For A Remote-First Workplace

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many companies to transition to remote work for the first time this year.  But while restrictions are being lifted and companies are considering a strategy for returning to work, many are considering keeping the option to work from home either entirely or part-time.  The research done over the last year is clear in showing a compelling case for allowing employees to work from home. Remote work leads to increased levels of productivity, performance, and happiness, which in turn benefits both the employees and the company.

Here are the biggest benefits of a remote-first workplace:

Attract And Retain Talent

One of the biggest arguments in the case for retaining a work-from-home setup is the fact that having the option for remote work is incredibly appealing to workers.  In a workforce where companies have to compete amongst each other to attract top talent, the opportunity for flexible work options is a golden ticket.  

A recent FlexJobs survey shows that 65% of employees want to work full-time after the pandemic, while 31% want a hybrid of working remotely and in-office.  It also showed that 27% of these employees would be willing to take a 10-20% pay cut in order to work remotely.  This means that, even if your business doesn’t have the money to attract more talented candidates with an inflated salary, you can still be competitive by allowing remote work.

Boost Productivity

Another excellent argument in favor of remote work is the fact that it boosts worker productivity.  A Stanford study that examined 16,000 workers over 9 months found that productivity was raised 13% by working from home.  They attributed this to factors like a more quiet working environment, fewer breaks, and the ability to take sick days.

Working parents have also found increased productivity through remote work.  In a FlexJobs survey, 49% of working mothers and 50% of working fathers have reported increased levels of productivity by being able to work from home.  Remote work not only enables working parents to be more productive, but also enables them to better balance work and childcare.

Increase Job Satisfaction

Job satisfaction is key for a company that wants to avoid burnout and employee turnover.  A CNBC SurveyMonkey Workforce Survey has shown that remote workers reported a Workforce Happiness Index score of 75/100 as opposed to 71/100 for in-person workers.  They also reported more positive measurements on almost all job satisfaction questions, from questions such as whether or not their contributions are valued by their colleagues to questions such as whether or not they consider themselves to be well-paid.

Eliminate The Commute

Remote work has the handy advantage of eliminating the need for the daily commute to and from the office.  This is good in that it saves workers several hours of time each day that would normally be wasted on transportation.  After all, an Airtasker survey reports an average commute of 8.5 hours a week, which adds up to a staggering 408 hours per year.  Eliminating the commute allows workers to begin the workday earlier and better balance their free time.

Remote work has clearly proven to benefit both employees and employers alike in many different ways.  Whether you’re trying to attract a talented candidate to come work for your company or you’re interested in boosting productivity levels, you may want to consider incorporating remote work.  Even just the option to work from home once or twice a week can lead to increased job satisfaction and a better work-life balance for employees.