Remote working: pros and cons
AN UNFORESEEN work-from-home revolution has caught many companies by surprise as most employees have been forced to work from home.
What are the pros and cons of working from home?
It usually provides employees with greater autonomy over how and when they work, and how they manage their lives and other responsibilities. Remote working also provides better job satisfaction, increased loyalty, lower absenteeism and less staff turnover. Increased productivity Airtasker surveyed about 1 000 employees in the US of which 50% worked remotely. The study showed that, on average, remote employees worked 1.4 more days a month than those who worked from an office. Breaks
While remote workers normally take more breaks than office staff, research shows that taking breaks leads to increased productivity. Remote workers lost 27 minutes a day to distractions and office workers 37.
Work-life balance
Working from home could be more stressful than working at the office. Thirty percent of remote workers found it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Only 23% of office workers reported the same challenge.
Fixed working hours
Employees to have fixed working hours in order to stay productive at home. They should try to maintain the same schedule as when they worked from an office. This will help them feel more structured and efficient.
Task list
Thirty percent of home workers that kept track of their tasks with a to-do list, were more productive.
Communication
Management should insist on daily or weekly meetings, so that the team can discuss and prioritise projects, and set deadlines.
Distractions
Home workers will experience more disturbances than office workers.
Eight percent of remote workers and six percent of office workers found it difficult to focus on their tasks.
Cost savings
Not having to commute is one of the biggest benefits. Besides the enormous cost savings, home workers have more free time. On average, they saved 17 days free time.
Improved health
People are more conscious of health issues than before and illnesses spread far quicker when offices are pack with staff. Allowing employees to work from home also helps stop the spread of diseases like Covid-19.
Relationships
Reduced interaction with co-workers and knowledge sharing is a key barrier to the acceptance of remote working and working from home for long periods could leave employees feeling professionally and socially isolated. Management should create opportunities for staff to interact socially via videoconferencing to encourage a team spirit.