It seems like more people are wanting to work remotely or have more freedom in choosing when and where they want to work.
The rise in the recent times for remote work is a result of more and more people wanting to break away from the traditional setup of working in cubicles. This limiting setup is no longer needed to do best in your job.
One thing is for sure, virtual working arrangements are revolutionizing the way that people work. It is preferred by employers and employees because they can both benefit from this arrangement. Here are some of the leading reasons why remote jobs are on the rise.
Key Takeaways:
-
Remote work allows for a more flexible schedule for employees and allows for them to work when they are most productive.
-
Employees often have a better work-life balance and they are happier because of it.
-
Work from home jobs are proven to provide more employee satisfaction which improve your employee retention rates.
8 Reasons Remote Jobs are on the Rise
-
Flexible Arrangements
Remote work provides flexibility and allows people to work when they are most productive. Compared with having a desk job or a day job, people are inspired to work when they can balance their time between work, family and recreational activities.
It’s easy to feel burned out when you cannot even take time out for things that matter to you because of work. Flexibility allows people to de-stress and pursue their passions.
-
Cultivates A Startup Culture
In the past few years, big startups like Zapier, GitHub, Toptal, and Buffer have recruited many remote workers from all over the world. This wave of remote work culture is increasing among startups as their belief in working virtually from anywhere grows.
More and more startups are encouraging job seekers to work whenever and wherever they want as long as they deliver what’s required from them on time. Companies encourage their staff to feel as if they are working for a family business, where they are valued, heard, and given enough flexibility.
Startup companies even provide some nice perks like annual retreats, paid holidays, and medical benefits.
-
Better Work-Life Balance
The biggest pain point for employees with a day job is the tight situation that arises when they cannot prioritize family over work. Everyone comes across such situations where a traditional job is too stringent, and the family falls behind.
This is another reason why there is a rising interest in remote jobs. People want to be around their family in the time of need and working remotely allows that to a considerable extent. Over 50% of the women who work, tend to look for some ‘remote working days’ after childbirth to attend to their family.
With remote work, people can spend time with their families without having to go through a lengthy leave approval process. Keeping family first is one the biggest plus of working from home.
-
Employee Retention
Work from home jobs are proven to provide more employee satisfaction. Let’s face it; there is no bossy figure around, you can work at your pace and get things done productively. Retaining employees is one of the major responsibilities of a company, and in recent times, flexibility and work satisfaction are becoming a major factor in achieving that goal.
Providing perks like free laptops or phones or providing employees flexibility to work from anywhere help in employee retention. Other benefits that could positively affect employee retention are sponsored study programs and great pay.
-
More Productivity
Though this is quite a debatable point, I firmly believe that if you are self-driven, then you can be extremely productive when working from home. Being away from the distracting office politics and focusing on your work alone can push you to work harder, in turn, increasing your performance.
Agreed, when you work from home you have some distractions but this can also become a big reason for you to be more intentional about your work deadlines and learn to be more organized.
-
Technology Advancements
Advancements in technology have made it easier to keep in touch with teams, communicate with colleagues, and have work presentations virtually. Software like Slack, GoToMeeting, and TeamViewer make it very easy for everyone to stay in tune with what’s happening in the office even if team members are miles away from work. As more companies turn towards remote work, new ways to communicate and work without being in a cubicle are emerging.
These user-friendly platforms make it easy for anyone to work remotely and be connected.
-
New Emerging Roles
As more and more companies turn toward remote work, new roles are coming up that are more location-independent and have no need for office space. For example, Automattic has a position called ‘Happiness Engineer’ which is a technical assistance role with more focus on HTML and WordPress.
This role is entirely remote and is very popular among the techies. Every day, similar kind of innovative roles are emerging and they do not require employees to be in a traditional office set up. This in turn creates more jobs in the market thus reducing unemployment.
-
Cost Cutting
A typical remote job can cut down a lot of office space and employee resource from a company’s perspective. Apart from this, remote workers can also save money on commute, food, and office wear. This a considerable saving for both companies and workers.
Some remote working parents can even keep their young kids at home instead of sending them to daycare, cutting down the burning cost of childcare. Remote working also has an indirect effect on the greener environment as less commuting is required. So, another plus for this flexible set up.
To keep up with this flexible money making competition, companies are offering more remote roles with great perks. Jobs like Virtual Assistant, Chat agents, Online Editors, Tech Support etc are mostly remote and give good income.
Remote Working FAQ
-
Why are remote jobs on the rise?
Remote jobs are on the rise because of technology and innovation. As new programs come out that allows for employees to work outside of the office, employees are taking advantage of being able to work from home. It’s easier now than ever to stay in touch with colleagues and communicate while out of the office. Remote working also results in more productivity with employees because they are away from office politics, loud co-worker discussions, and they are more energized because of the lack of commute.
-
Why is working remote better than working in an office?
Working remote is better than working in an office because employees are often more productive when working at home. Remote workers have a better control over their work schedule, and they work when it’s best for them. This allows them to be the most productive when they work. Some people may not work well during a typical 9 to 5 shift and will produce better results when they can work.
-
Is remote working better for mental health?
Yes, remote working can be better for mental health because it allows for lower stress levels. When you are not in the office, you don’t have to worry about any gossip, office politics, or any annoying coworkers. Remote working also allows for more freedom in your schedule and in your day. Employees will also have a better work-life balance since they are able to see their friends and family more. All of these can lower your stress levels and be better for your mental health.
-
What are the benefits of remote work for employers?
Remote work is beneficial for employers because it can be cost saving, you have a larger talent pool, and higher productivity levels from employees. Remote work is cost saving because they are able to save money from renting an office space, the utilities that go with the building, and any equipment for employees. That money that the company saves can go into something that can be more beneficial.
Employers are also able to gain access to a larger talent pool when they are requiting. Since remote workers can work from anywhere, hiring managers can look all over the country for their top candidates instead of in a smaller location.
Employees are also more productive because they are able to work when it works best for them, and they have less distractions. Since they are able to save time from a commute, they can also sleep longer which can result in them being more alert and focused on their work.
Final Thoughts
Working from home might be new to some and a dream for many, but it is definitely part of the future workplace.
As new roles and new companies emerge in the remote work industry, the future looks great for people who want to work remotely.
- Business Trends
Author
Matthew Zane
