According to the US National Bureau of Economic Research’s (NBER) research, the remote work set-up will stick around even after the pandemic, thanks to its benefits for both employers and employees. Hence, don’t be surprised to learn that nearly 20 percent of our work days will be completed from home in the future, as compared to a measly five percent pre-pandemic.
If you’re still on the fence about preparing your team for a fully remote or hybrid working set-up, here’s what the research has to say about why you should pull the trigger soon:
Positive WFH Experiences
The WFH set-up turned out to be better than what both employees and employers were initially expecting. Specifically, over 20 percent of the 30,000 respondents reported increased productivity. Meanwhile, 26 percent admitted maintaining about the same.
This goes to show that the productivity-based objections to the remote work set-up are largely unwarranted. Thus, your company can still hit its targets even with a distributed team.
Thanks to the wonders of technology and the internet, distance doesn’t really hinder effective management and collaboration that much.
Right Tools and Software
The urgent need to transition online compelled companies to invest in tools and cloud-based software. How else can they enable team collaboration, project management, and instant messaging amidst a distributed team?
NBER’s Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes (SWAA) revealed that organisations that updated their back-end systems and equipment made remote working easier for everyone. Obviously, if you want your remote teams to work efficiently, investing in the right tools should be a given.
Diminished WFH Stigma
Not so long ago, there was a stigma attached to the WFH set-up. Heck, some even associated it with shirking and laziness. Well, not anymore.
We already know what it feels like to work from home. Almost everyone knows someone who is working remotely – if they aren’t doing so themselves. Thus, the concept is no longer so difficult to comprehend these days.
After 2020, managing a full-time remote team hardly ever raises eyebrows anymore. Not only does the research show that it works, but it also appears to have a huge positive impact. It will almost certainly be the preferred set-up for years to come too, now that it’s become more mainstream.
Lingering Health Concerns About Crowds And Shared Space
With 3.47 billion doses administered worldwide, it’s comforting to know that vaccine rollouts are well underway. However, this has yet to assuage the general fear of catching the virus upon returning to the office.
For many, work from home remains the safer- and more preferred – alternative.
Out of all the respondents, a scant 28 percent intend to resume pre-pandemic activities. Meanwhile, the rest plan to continue exercising caution about indoor dining, public transportation, and interacting with people outside their homes.
Working from home doesn’t just protect you and your loved ones. As an employer who enables this set-up, you are also helping your remote employees keep their families while earning a living.
A Surge in Technological Innovations
Technology has been a key factor for driving remote work mainstream, and vice versa. For one, the US patent applications for WFH technologies doubled between January and September 2020. These advances made it possible for businesses all over the world to continue operating despite border restrictions and social distancing measures.
With e-commerce and a fully remote team, there’s no need to shell out money for rent or similar overhead expenses anymore. Instead, you can direct your resources towards efficient and inclusive workspace platforms for your remote teams. More savings, higher efficiency. Win-win.
The WFH set-up has been a game changer and a godsend for businesses amidst the worst economic crisis in living memory thus far. As we’ve been saying time and time again, it will likely be the norm worldwide moving forward.
Remote Staff has been linking AU entrepreneurs with skilled Filipino remote workers for 14 years and counting, even before remote working became a thing. So whether you’re new to the game or are looking to expand your existing distributed teams, we’ve got your back.
