- 1. What Is Remote Work?
- 2. Benefits of Working From Home
- 3. Remote Work Disadvantages & Challenges
- 4. How to Write a Remote Work Policy
- 5. How to Hire Remote Employees
- 6. Virtual Onboarding for Remote Employees
- 7. How to Manage Remote Workers & Virtual Teams
- 8. Building a Positive Remote Working Culture
- 9. Managing Remote Meetings
- 10. Virtual Team Building Activities & Ice Breakers
- 11. Avoiding Stress & Burnout
- 12. Tips for How to Work From Home
- 13. Setting Up a Home Office
- 14. Remote Collaboration Tools & Software
- 15. Remote Work Statistics
- 16. What is the Future of Remote Work?
- 17. Glossary
- 18. FAQ
- 1. What Is Remote Work?
- 2. Benefits of Working From Home
- 3. Remote Work Disadvantages & Challenges
- 4. How to Write a Remote Work Policy
- 5. How to Hire Remote Employees
- 6. Virtual Onboarding for Remote Employees
- 7. How to Manage Remote Workers & Virtual Teams
- 8. Building a Positive Remote Working Culture
- 9. Managing Remote Meetings
- 10. Virtual Team Building Activities & Ice Breakers
- 11. Avoiding Stress & Burnout
- 12. Tips for How to Work From Home
- 13. Setting Up a Home Office
- 14. Remote Collaboration Tools & Software
- 15. Remote Work Statistics
- 16. What is the Future of Remote Work?
- 17. Glossary
- 18. FAQ
Why Is Remote Work Important?
Remote work is increasingly commonplace because of available technology solutions that empower remote workers. The COVID-19 pandemic is also a factor which accelerated the transition worldwide. However, the importance of remote work goes beyond social distancing and increased productivity, which over 50 percent of employers indicate as the main benefit of remote work. Here are other reasons why remote work is important to employees and organizations.
Accessibility to a larger talent pool
One of the critical reasons why remote work is important is because it affords professionals with disabilities more equal opportunities to get jobs they are qualified for. There are fewer accessibility issues with remote work, and employers can recruit from a global and more diversified talent pool, leading to a highly-skilled and inclusive workforce. Remote work arrangements enable low-cost expansion into regions distant from the central company offices.
Remote work focuses on outcomes, not time
Another vital reason why remote work is important is that remote work leads to better project outcomes. Performance evaluations focus on results, not the amount of time spent in the office. Remote work encourages teammates to improve communication and collaboration within themselves. It encourages organizations to focus more on goals and project deliverables instead of office politics, employee micromanagement, and other activities that do not directly impact clients' needs and organizations' key goals.
Remote work saves costs
From rent and office maintenance for the organizations and daily lunches and commutes for employees, expenses that are avoidable by remote work take a massive chunk of employees' and organizations' annual costs of working in the office. The average remote worker saves $4,000 a year on lunches, travel expenses, and a professional wardrobe. This is an essential reason why remote work is important. It saves costs and leads to efficient usage of employee and organizational resources to gain better results.
Remote work creates a happy and more balanced workforce
One report from Amerisleep found that 80% of remote workers reported feeling less stressed when working from home. This is because remote work eliminates commute time and fosters flexibility, which can help employees get more done in a day than they would if they had to stay and work solely in an office. With remote work, employees can eat lunch with family, walk their pets, and increase creativity with the increased autonomy in their schedule. Most employees are encouraged to contribute their best to the organizations to maintain these remote work benefits in their lives.
If you have been considering remote work for a while, either as a business owner or employee, these advantages listed are good reasons to consider remote work for your career and organization.
Emily Westbrooks
Emily is a Content Marketing Manager at Wrike. She brings over a decade of experience as a freelance journalist, editor, blogger, and author to Wrike, where she writes about the latest trends in work management, including remote working, and how work and life intersect in meaningful ways.