Jobseekers know how high in demand they are and have decided that remote work is their preference. Many want to enjoy a work-life balance that isn't always possible with a two-hour commute. Companies may have been hesitant at first to relax their in-house only stance, but there are a multitude of benefits to working from home for the whole team. These benefits include boosted productivity, increased employee satisfaction and a decrease in overhead costs.
The reality of remote work is here to stay, and employers should adapt. Some popular employee brands such as Disney and Starbucks, however, are requiring a return to the office. At least 20 percent of team members have turned in their resignation letters in response.
Although the headlines may question the validity of remote work and the scarcity of work-from-home jobs, these mandated returns will continue to be a rarity.
In January 2023, searches for "remote work jobs" and "work from home jobs" peaked on Google Trends. Vistage, an executive coaching organization, conducted a survey that found the majority (60 percent) of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) CEOs are looking to add to their teams. Only seven percent plan on reducing their headcount. This puts the power in the hands of the job seekers.
One of the main reasons so many companies are seeking new employees is finding and onboarding qualified employees has been a substantial challenge lately. A lack of qualified team members impedes businesses from running at full capacity. Sixty-one percent of CEOs are majorly concerned about these hiring challenges.
Given that the American unemployment rate is at 3.4 percent - the lowest since the start of the pandemic in February 2020 - one of the tightest markets ever shows no signs of abating.
Work from home jobs' impact on companies
Everything changed during the pandemic, including how we work. The abrupt shift to working from home changed the way companies operate. IT companies experienced a drastic increase in productivity. Other industries did as well, with a greater focus on tasks than on office banter, which led to an improvement in work quality and reduced turnover rates.
Financial companies saw a noticeable reduction in overhead fees with the implementation of remote policies. A multitude of companies were able to put more resources into scaling than ever before.
Work from home jobs' impact on job seekers
Remote work has opened up a new way of living for job seekers. They are no longer limited to one geographic location. The ability to move throughout the country or be closer to family members has led to an increase in job satisfaction. Team members don't necessarily have to choose between personal and professional goals.
Those who are caregivers can enjoy more work opportunities while they balance responsibilities.
Work from home jobs' impact on the brain
Our brain has biases surrounding remote work. Many companies still invest in a collaborative space for workers, despite remote work being preferred. Some remote employees find it hard to adjust to the idea of not going somewhere' to work and thus cannot reap all the rewards.
Work from home jobs' impact on business continuity
Business always has to carry on as usual. When weather events or pandemics happen, remote workers can continue to work for the most part. Strategies for seamless operations involve working from home to avoid losses and remain competitive.
Top talent gravitates toward remote work, and offering it also helps retain key talent at a company. Global superstars, unhindered by location, can be enticed by a flexible work environment for greater diversity to drive innovation.
Work from home jobs' impact on collaboration
Communication is everything in business. Remote work doesn't foster a sense of isolation, as some have feared; it encourages collaboration despite being outside a traditional office setting.
Consulting firms have found remote team communication is dependent on high-quality technology. This includes regular video conferences and collaboration tools. Being remote can mean better time management too, as there are far fewer distractions than in an office environment.
Work from home jobs' impact on well-being
Far from feeling isolated, many remote workers report better well-being when working from a non-office environment. A healthcare tech company found
remote work reduced stress levels and boosted job satisfaction. Team members can balance their personal and professional lives all while being comfortable in their chosen environment.
Any team members who are struggling with remote work should work with human resources to review time management best practices, as well as communication and collaboration tools.
Remote work is here to stay. Companies and team members can all reap the benefits of this beloved holdover from the pandemic. Boosted productivity from happier workers and reduced overhead costs are just a few of the benefits working from home provides to organizations. After any cognitive bias is addressed, the benefits are enormous for workers as well.
Companies that provide remote work are poised to win the talent war. As Google indicates, the search for remote work continues to bring companies
who offer it new levels of success with happier employees. PSG Global is ready to supercharge your in-house team. Contact us today to begin scaling now!
Looking for more? Discover PSG's contact center RPO solutions.