The idea of working from home is often very appealing to employees for a number of reasons. First, it gives them the opportunity to work in a place that is comfortable to them (and in super relaxed clothing, as well—pajamas, anyone?) Second, working virtually also means more time for employees to spend on their work, rather than stuck in morning and evening workday traffic on their commute.
However, while working from home may have many benefits for employees who are looking to take a break from the daily 9am to 5pm work grind, how advantageous is it for employers? For instance, does working virtually hinder or help workplace productivity and excitement amongst your team? To help you decide whether or not a virtual office may be a good idea for your company, even if it’s just for one work-from-home day a week, here are a few benefits that come with working remotely.
1. Work from home employees are generally less stressed.
In fact, recent studies show that switching your employees to a telecommuting lifestyle can even drop stress by up to 25%, which in turn leads to a healthier balance between work and life. Even working virtually just one day a week can significantly decrease stress in the workplace. Plus, when the people working in your office are less stressed, it leads to a better overall company culture and environment.
2. The option to work at home attracts and retains employees.
Especially for companies who are looking for digital workers, not having to limit yourself to your immediate company location when hiring opens up your options for future employees into a more competitive market. Plus, many employees look at the opportunity to work virtually as a significant work perk and, therefore, it helps to increase employee retention.
3. Working at home often leads to increased productivity.
You may think that working in a comfortable environment filled with familiar distractions, such as your TV, your home chores, or even your roommate, could cause employees to be less productive when they work from home. However, many studies have shown that working from home can actually increase an employee’s productivity by an average of 10-20%!
4. Your company can save money when they work remotely.
It costs a lot to purchase office space for your employees and house all of your operations in a large building—especially if you are a international company with multiple offices. Even necessary office equipment such as internet, amenities, computers and more can add up over time. Luckily, allowing your employees to work from home helps to seriously cut down on these costs for your business. Plus, it allows employees to save money in commuting costs as well!
5. Virtual offices encourage new forms of communication.
While some companies may initially think that communication can easily be lost when you switch to a virtual workplace, it actually just encourages new ways for your employees to connect and communicate with one another. For instance, in Sococo you can easily share screens with your co-workers, jump in an office to brainstorm about a new idea, and even chat constantly throughout the work day. You may even find that these new forms of communication are more effective than email or in-person water cooler discussions ever were.
Do you currently run a virtual business, or are you a work from home employee? If so, what is your favorite part of working virtually? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
