© 2002 - 2021 LawDepot®, All Rights Reserved. A recent Harvard Business Review study of U.S. Patent and Trade Office workers found their output increased by 4.4% after a transition to remote work. One in five employees struggle to switch off from work when working from home. Finding the right employees: As discussed above, the wider you search, the more talent you’ll find. If a team is divided between co-located and remote employees, there is the added challenge of ensuring remote workers aren’t left out of spontaneous decisions and conversations happening on site. Since 2001, LawDepot has empowered millions of users like you by helping to create custom legal forms and documents. PROS: In fact, road vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses and motorbikes account for nearly three quarters of the greenhouse gas emissions that come from transport. Telecommuting is becoming increasingly commonplace, and for good reason. While we can offer some of the positives and negatives, the decision is ultimately yours -- especially because the deciding factor comes to … Working from home—the place where you also sleep, eat, watch TV, play with your cat or your kids—can be extremely distracting. Companies also report fewer unscheduled absences from remote workers. Let’s take a quick look at some of the ups and downs of remote working. 12 Pros and Cons of Being an Employee Jan 14, 2017 May 13, 2016 by Brandon Gaille There’s a lot of talk about self-employment, entrepreneurship, and being your own boss today. The advantages of being a part of a remote workforce as an employee are pretty obvious: flexible scheduling, access to employers outside of a commuting distance, greater independence, higher job satisfaction, cost and time savings (gas, wear and tear on vehicles, commute time, etc. If you’re suddenly working a remote job, here are some of the potential advantages and pitfalls to be mindful of: Pros. Where possible, all work should be done on a corporate laptop with remote access security controls, such as two-factor authentication and a virtual private network (VPN). The flexibility of remote work provides enticing benefits for both employees and employers. Whether you are an employer or an employee, remote working and balancing office work with working from home is going to benefit a business all around. There may also be instances where an employee feels a little under the weather but feels perfectly capable of working from the comfort of their home. For many employers, the cost benefit only usually outweighs the cons if the employer is hiring the right people and being proactive in overcoming the hurdles and challenges that commonly arise with remote workforces. Hiring from a wider pool of talent: It can be challenging to find the right person for the job, and hiring remotely allows businesses to cast a wider net. The perk of working remotely either full or part-time appears to encourage people to stay with a company longer than they would otherwise. In fact, many companies find having a distributed team actually reduces staff turnover. For most people that are tired of the status quo, working remotely has only pros. With so many people unhappy with their jobs, more and more people are choosing to work remotely, since the ability to work from home or on-the-go typically improves job satisfaction. As we’ve seen, remote working can be a great employee benefit to offer your staff that can have positive effects on wellbeing and employee productivity. And, it is estimated that over 50% of the workforce will be remote … The Pros and Cons of a Remote Workforce by Jason Carney | Mar 6, 2015 | Business , HR , Recruiting Turning to a remote workforce may not be your first thought as you build a strong, unified team, but it’s worth considering as there will be times when the skill of a remote employee or the convenience of working from an off-site location will come in handy. Remote employees need to take responsibility for their own productivity, and that means managing all the distractions (internet, TV, beautiful weather, the presence of family) that can keep a remote worker from their work. As you weigh your options in creating a remote work policy, consider the above pros and cons and determine how you think they will impact the success of your team. By: David Dorion Summary: Technology and traffic have forced many employers to arrange their businesses so that employees can work off-site. Advantages for employers and employees exist when the employer allows employees to work flexible schedules.Whether the flexible work schedule involves compressing work days, flexible daily hours, or telecommuting, challenges exist for the employer and the employee. In our last article, we discussed the pros and cons of employees working from home. They may be in the same room or just a quick walk down the hall away. To combat this, schedule time for staff to socialise, just as you would schedule a work meeting. Employees love options, so if you’re working on retaining your top talent, attracting new candidates, or adjusting to becoming more modern, allowing a policy can definitely increase workplace happiness . With the advent of wireless technology, video conferencing and of course copious increases in traffic in and around large and growing U.S. cities, it makes sense that many employers are adjusting their businesses and law firms so that employees can work … While working from home has some obvious benefits, there are some potential challenges that businesses should consider: In the office it can be easy for colleagues to bounce ideas off each other or put their heads together to solve a problem. It’s worthwhile, to honestly consider both the pros and cons of remote work before deciding whether or not it’s right for you, or your employees. 2. Cutting costs: Employing remote workers can reduce operating costs ranging from office space to office supplies. Pros and Cons of Remote Work: How to Maintain Business During the Pandemic Due to the spread of COVID-19 and the latest recommendations given by the World Health Organization (WHO), the issue of transferring a part of company employees to remote work is getting extremely urgent. This time, here we’re highlighting the pros and cons of this remote arrangement for employers. Telecommuting is an integral part of American work culture. This can lead to anxiety and unmanageable stress as the employee takes on more than they can manage. To learn more about how remote work can positively impact your business life, check out the following list of the top 4 benefits of working remotely. Millennials value flexibility in a workplace above all else, and with most work now done on a computer, it’s easy to work from home during hours that are personally convenient. For the most part, working remotely is a privilege for both employee and employer, and finding a balance that comes with remote working is going to be an essential part of your working week. In fact, remote work has increased 140% since 2005. In a rigorous study conducted on remote and office employees, researchers from the … There are a ton of benefits to remote work for both employees and employers, although it might seem like it is only in favor of the employee. The Limits of Remote Communication. “I can’t hire remote people to do in-depth SEO or content strategy work … Without that “leaving the office” moment to mark the end of the working day, it can be all too easy for employees to work beyond their contracted hours – but doing so can lead to burnout and mental health issues. For every person, who is either new to remote work or willing to start a remote job need to consider at least the key pros and cons of working remotely that are as follows: Pros: 1. The employers that have survived and thrived thus far were adaptable and flexible. Telecommuting is becoming an integral part of work culture. Increased transparency — Remote work ensures that you’re judged on the quality of your work, rather than the hours you put in or the vagaries of office politics. With a remote workforce, there is a greater potential for unclear or lack of communication, so it’s imperative for managers to set clear goals and expectations around communication and deliverables. Telecommuting is becoming an integral part of work culture. Wrapping Up Remote work will not work in the best possible way for all the companies or all the employees working. The benefits of working from home. But there are some significant benefits for both employees and employers in the increasing number of industries, by which we can say that remote work is a viable way of doing business. Work Anytime and Anywhere. At times, it can even feel lonely. Business owners can lessen their overheads while offering something lucrative to working families, and employees can work harder and are more grateful for the opportunity to work outside of a long commute and office environment. Working remotely cuts down on your commute, or even eliminates it entirely. While most remote employees work from home, they also have the freedom to work in coffee shops, libraries, or co-working spaces. A more diverse workforce is possible. Instead of hiring a semi-qualified applicant in your area, you can look nationally or even internationally until you get the best candidate for the position. Cons. Learn about the pros and cons of having a remote team so you can judge whether it’s the right move for your company. Tools such as Slack and Microsoft Teams are useful for project management and collaboration, but they also have a social aspect. To be productive, a remote employee should be self-motivated, organized, and disciplined. Let’s consider some of the advantages and disadvantages for both employers and employees. Communication: Some workplaces question how to work remotely, and if there are communication challenges associated with remote work. For example, with a full-time remote workforce, a company can reduce real estate expenses by $10,000 per employee per year. Organising virtual games or quizzes on a Friday afternoon can help staff to unwind ahead of the weekend and get that social connection they need. Let’s Talk About The Pros and Cons of Working Remotely. Pros and Cons for Employees Loneliness, distractions, communication problems and technical difficulties are just some of the issues remote workers face. ... venture capitalists who invest in the remote work model, Fortune 500 executives, virtual employers, and dozens of home-based workers in wide variety of professions, here’s why we need to make the road less traveled the way to work. Employers retain crucial employees. Top 4 Advantages of Remote Working. In fact, managers can face some challenges when dealing with a distributed workforce. So happy employees may be more likely to go above and beyond, achieve their goals, and perform better than their unhappy counterparts. How to End a Seasonal Contract on a Good Note. Home » Pros and Cons . This willingness to take a pay cut may be because 72% of remote workers save money whilst working from home with an average saving of £1,416 per year. 2. With reports of improved performance and greater job happiness, remote work can be beneficial to both employers and employees. Fortunately, you can overcome these obstacles with a little effort. Protect My People is a death in service insurance comparison service. Not only is this good news for employees, happier staff can have positive effects your business’s bottom line. Here, we have a look at some of the pros and cons of remote working for employers and employees. A survey by the virtual Working from Home Show found that some employees would be willing to take a pay cut in order to work from home. It’s much more than just the allure of getting to work in your pajamas. They should also make an effort to be in frequent contact with remote workers in order to monitor their progress and diminish feelings of isolation. Pros of Hiring Remote Workers Hiring remote employees is a hot trend—and with good reason. So, if you're thinking about a work-at-home job, there are several things to consider before making the transition. These challenges have multiplied during the coronavirus pandemic as unheard of numbers of employees, for reasons of … After all, every person experiences life and work through different eyes. Often, they feel that they need to be visible to their employer, otherwise their commitment may be doubted. struggle to build relationships with coworkers, Office Personalities: Introverts and Extroverts in the Workplace, 3 Ways to Accommodate Employees with Disabilities. Despite the many benefits of telecommuting, it’s not necessarily the right fit for all businesses or all individuals. (A Few) Pros of Remote Work. Some people may overcompensate for not having a visible presence in the office by working longer hours or taking on too much work to ‘prove’ to their boss that they are really working from home. Luckily, there are some solutions that may work even for small businesses on a tight budget. 5 min read. In the US alone, as of 2018, 57 million Americans are working remotely , and about 85% of US companies allow some form of remote work … It is up to you to decide which ones are more important to you and have a bigger impact on your well-being and happiness. PROS: 1) An employee is less likely to be late. Working from home can allow employees to ditch the car and help the planet. Some employees work remotely full time, while others telecommute part of the week or a couple of days per month. Use of this site is subject to terms and conditions. In this article, we list the most common pros and cons of working from home to help you determine if this is the right career move for you. One of the primary benefits of remote work for employees is a reduction in work-related expenses, such as transportation. Managers can expect more creativity and better problem solving from a team that’s personally connected. Some jobs may just not be cut out for remote employees. The daily commute is a big contributor to greenhouse gas emissions which are harmful for the environment. Candidates without remote work experience may think they like working from home. You are truly independent. As an employer, you can do your bit to help staff switch off from work after hours. From TV to children to household chores, the home is full of potential distractions. Contact between managers and remote workers is limited, which can make it challenging to build relationships. Emails, phone conversations, and video conferencing are popular options, but you can also use messaging apps and online chat tools. But there are some significant benefits for both employees and employers in the increasing number of industries, by which we can say that remote work is a viable way of doing business. ), and the potential for greater productivity. After many well-known companies that have adopted the remote working ways—such as Zapier, Buffer, DuckDuckGo, Doist, InVision and many others—started to openly communicate the benefits of remote work, including a much larger talent pool and increased employee engagement and productivity among others, many other companies have decided to follow their lead. But does the reality of remote work live up to the expectation? The pros and cons of remote working for employers Published 27th August 2020 Before the coronavirus pandemic caused a sudden and unprecedented shift to home working, the office was the place millions of us spent around a third of our day. Then, you can judge whether it’s the right move for your company. With remote employment on … Overall, each business is different and business owners should strategically weigh the pros and cons of hiring remote employees. While home working is nothing new – it's been on the up in recent years – remote working, up until now, has mostly been the preserve of those in more senior positions. However, with everything, there are pros and cons. So, if you're thinking about a work-at-home job, there are several things to consider before making the transition. Working from home: The pros, cons and potential pitfalls of it becoming permanent Surveys show a majority are fine with the workplace evolution, but employers will need to revamp policies Working from home means you’ll learn to rely on self-motivation, self-discipline, focus, and concentration.“As you work through your career, those are really critical components for success,” says Fay. Almost a fifth of employees (17%) say they would be less likely to leave their job if they worked from home more and 58% feel they are happier working from home. One major issue for employees working remotely is the blurring of work life and home life that can occur when there is no physical separation between work time and leisure time. Companies that operate solely on the computer are among the most likely to employ remote workers. For more help on keeping your business secure, check out our blog post on cyber security tips for small businesses. Team building: Many remote workers struggle to build relationships with coworkers. Before the coronavirus pandemic caused a sudden and unprecedented shift to home working, the office was the place millions of us spent around a third of our day. After considering the pros and cons of remote work, evaluate and determine if this is the right professional choice for you. Employers may have difficulty dealing with competing requests to work flexibly. If you’re a business owner, keep reading to learn about the pros and cons of remote work. In reality, the switch to home working might not be as far away as we think, with 55% of people saying that they were already working from home at least one day per week before the coronavirus pandemic. : Invest in new technology - Many organizations were forced to invest in remote collaboration technology earlier in 2020 so this could also be a "pro" to continue to see a return on that investment. Just like manager-employee relationships, it can be difficult for remote employees to connect with each other when they have limited in-person contact. What Legal Structure is Right for Your Business? This article lists some of the pros and cons of remote work to help those companies who are still undecided find out if it's right for their organization. If you’ve ever freelanced, you understand this well. If you are considering making the switch to working remotely, consider the pros and cons before you do. PROS: CONS: Lower overhead - Global Workplace Analytics estimates that employers save an average of $11,000 per year on those who work remotely half the time. A recent report found that there was a 600% increase in reported phishing emails in during March 2020, with many scammers cashing in on the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic. The survey reported that 10% of employees would consider being paid less for working from home - around 12% less on average. Whether you already have a remote work policy in place or are considering implementing one, it’s important to take a look at all of the pros and cons to decide if the benefits really outweigh the costs. Productivity. And while it’s tempting to think about how nice it would be to work from a tropical beach, it may be more tempting to enjoy the beach without working. View our Privacy Policy. Those who work remotely can miss out on the usual office banter and those spontaneous chats by the coffee machine, which can often be vital in building strong working relationships – and let’s face it, talking to colleagues via video call just isn’t the same as seeing them in person. BONUS TIP: Background noise can have a drastic impact on productivity and concentration, whether you are working remotely from home, or in the office. In a traditional workplace, an employee must make the decision whether to go into the office and risk infecting their colleagues or stay home and miss a day’s work. A work meeting but you can do your bit to help staff switch off from work “ names! Employees can work off-site some, but can also use messaging apps and online chat tools and they... Days per month team consists of professional writers and editors with years of experience and! 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