Companies that hire remote workers
Remote work isn’t a new concept. But as technology advanced, and various communication tools became available in the market, businesses began to understand its value. Reliable research has shown that companies that hire remote workers reported increased productivity and reduced fixed costs. Remote work offers flexibility that is lacking when working from office premises, which is why employees prefer to be given a choice to work from home. It’s only reasonable to implement it in companies as it benefits both the employees and employers.
Yet, we understand if you might be unsure about hiring remote workers. If you have never worked with remote employees before, the prospect can seem alien and challenging. After all, why disrupt the flow of your company if it’s been just fine so far. But remote work offers benefits that may even end up having a positive impact on your business. Allow us to share how companies that hire remote workers can gain an edge over their competitors.
Increase in productivity
We already said it before, but it needs to be reiterated. Researches show that companies working with remote workers reported an increase in their productivity. Employees get more work done when they work from the comforts of their home, coffee shops, or wherever suits them best. They are less distracted as there are no small talks or water cooler talks or unnecessary meetings to attend that interferes with their work. Also, unless the job demands it, they have the choice to work during hours in which they feel most active or creative as opposed to working fixed hours in offices. Not everybody is productive from nine to five; some employees think they can concentrate better during the late hours of the day. So, working remotely provides the employee’s flexibility to adjust and work on their own time, and it ends up with them getting better and more work done for your company.
Reduced costs
Remote employees have a significant impact on your cost savings. With more employees working remotely, your company can reduce its fixed costs. You no longer need to pay for large office space, or the accompanying overheads such as electricity, water, computer systems, internet, office supplies, etc. Depending on the company’s size, these costs can vary, but they are nonetheless a considerable drain on a company’s budget. By hiring remote workers, you can massively cut down on these fixed costs. Not to mention, it also helps your employees to cut down their expenses as they are no longer spending on commuting to their offices daily.
Access to skilled employees
Hiring locally comes with its restraints. Companies don’t always have access to quality employees when they hire within their local areas. Unless an employee is willing to move from another location to work in your offices, you have to make do with the choices you get. But remote work opens up new possibilities. Companies that hire remote workers have the option to broaden their recruiting and look in other cities or countries, if possible. They can get access to a larger pool of talent, maybe even global, and improve their competence. Sometimes, hiring globally allows the company to hire workers at a fraction of a cost compared to hiring in their country without compromising on the quality of work. Since they will be working for you remotely anyways, borders don’t matter if you are willing to work in different time zones.
Option to hire part-time employees
There is no substitute for a full-time employee. They are dedicated to your company and are reliable. But remote work gives you the choice of hiring part-time employees or freelancers for various roles and jobs that don’t require you to hire a full-time employee. Some employees are unable to work proper hours but are skilled and qualified. Remote work allows you to hire their expertise on project-basis and pay them accordingly for the job done. This lets the company finish projects on time, maybe even earlier, without overworking their existing employees.
Improved employee retention
Offices have been known to be stressful for some employees. Remote work, as already stated, offers flexibility to employees and helps them keep happy and satisfied. A happy employee is far more likely to continue working for your company than an employee who is stressed. By giving your employees an option for remote work, you are improving the chances of retaining them in the long run. It is also easier for people to juggle their personal duties when they are working remotely, so they are happy to work with companies who provide the perk of working from home. Not only does remote work allow the company to hire top talent, but it also allows them to retain them for years to come.
Don’t fall for the false rhetoric of remote work being risky or uncertain. Out of sight does not mean out of mind. The right employees know and understand their responsibilities and will work for your company just as hard as you’d expect them to work in front of you. It’s just a different system than working from company offices, and with time both the employees and the employers find their rhythm.