Do you like to get up each morning, stumble through your morning routine, jump into traffic and head to your job? Most people do this, but with more companies turning to a hybrid model of in-house and remote employees, working from home is a real option.
It may be hard to imagine a work life where you don’t leave your home, but in this digital age, you only need a computer, a smartphone and an internet connection to conduct business.
Not sure if this would work for you? Here are the benefits of working from home for employees.
Benefit #1: No Commute
When you work in an office or other job site, there is a routine every morning to get you there on time. It involves waking up early and commuting with the rest of the worker bees on the road, and then after work, you do it all over again. This adds a few extra hours to your work day.
When you work from home, all you do is wake up, and you are basically at work. You can even dress casually and work from the couch with your laptop if you do video chatting or conferencing. This saves you lots of time by not commuting, and you may also find that you don’t need to have your vehicle at all, which is a huge saving.
Benefit #2: Flexibility and Freedom
When you have a remote job, you don’t necessarily need to keep the same schedule as those in the office. As long as you get your work done, you can even do other personal tasks during the day, like taking your kids to school or going to a doctor’s appointment.
You may have to interact with in-house staff at some point during the day or be available to clients during business hours, but you can easily work another thing around this and still be efficient.
Benefit #3: Digital Workplace Software
One of the biggest downfalls of working remotely is the disconnect from the rest of the office. It can slow projects down when you cannot interact with other team members, and this isolation can be tough on your morale. Fortunately, there are some great solutions with digital workplace software.
This is a sophisticated intranet that brings people and information together so everyone can be connected through various mediums like:
- Newsfeeds
- Content sharing
- Communications portal
- Collaboration tools
- Shared workflows
- Third-party tools and platforms
- Connection with different departments
A robust, cutting-edge digital workplace platform keeps remote employees engaged and connected with the company’s ethos and culture and streamlines communication and collaboration.
Benefit #4: Boost Productivity
When you work in a traditional environment, there are lots of distractions. Some things you can tune out but with equipment running, people talking, meetings, water cooler chats and other staff dropping by your desk, it can be difficult to keep on task.
At home, you have fewer distractions. Unless you have a baby at home, your kids will be at school all day, and your spouse may be at their job unless they work remotely too. Being free from a busy office gives you peace and allows for focus and concentration so you can better engage with your work. You will probably find that you are much more productive at home than at a location.
Benefit #5: You Set Up Your Workspace
Sometimes at an office, you have to share desk space or equipment, which could be cramped with bad workflow. Some office setups can negatively impact your ability to be efficient and produce high-quality work.
At home, you are the boss and chief designer. This is great because you can orient your home office to best suit how you function and access equipment and materials.
Choose an area in your home that has good natural light and is somewhat separated from the rest. You will have a higher comfort level while creating an environment conducive to maximum productivity.
Benefit #6: Less Stress
It’s hard to find a healthy work/life balance, and it is usually work that causes the most stress in our lives. Everything from office politics to employee drama takes a toll on the psyche, and this kind of negative energy permeates your being and can even make you ill.
Working from home separates you from all that and becomes your place of serenity and tranquillity. You can dress comfortably without worrying about what anyone else is wearing. Your food choices will be healthier as you can make a homemade breakfast and lunch. Most of all, you don’t have the stress of commuting before and after work.
Remote working is a lifestyle that takes some getting used to but has many benefits. If your employer allows you to work from home, take it. After a little adjustment, you will find freedom and joy in it as you can spread your creative wings and become a better, more productive employee.