18 Reasons to Consider Remote Employees in 2021

By TechFunnel Contributors - Last Updated on May 25, 2021
Remote Employees Tips

According to a study conducted by the London Business School’s Global Leadership Summit and the outlook of business leaders, over half of us will be working in our pajamas by 2020. A crowd of 600 participants was asked a variety of questions. Roughly 35 percent answered over half and 25 percent responded that three-quarters would be out of the stereotypical brick-and-mortar office job and working remotely by 2020.

Further global studies performed by PGi revealed that over 50 percent of part-time telecommuters would like to add to their remote working hours. What’s more, 79 percent acknowledged that they work remotely, and 60 percent said if it were possible, they would switch their current job for a work-from-home position with the same salary.

Going by these statistics alone, it appears that remote work has taken on a life of its own. The groundbreaking remote employees and remote employer movement don’t appear to be letting up any time soon. It’s a win-win situation as both parties can benefit.

The Signs Speak for Themselves

There are a number of companies taking part in the telecommuting trend. Remote jobs include virtual assistants, accountants, graphic designers, copywriters, and more. In effect, online freelancing platforms – who have a plethora of information concerning remote employee trends – disclose that 55 percent of approximately 1,000 of those responsible for new hires admit that remote work is a progressive trend. They also expect that over 35 percent of their full-time employees will become remote workers within the next 10 years.

Additional Remote Employee Statistics

Research affirms that six in seven managers anticipate that remote teams will eventually become standard.

Check Out the Numbers

The BLS – Bureau of Labor Statistics – in the United States reported in early 2000 that roughly 19 percent of employees worked from home. Jump to more than a decade later and that percentage reached 23 percent. The number is expected to increase to 50 percent by 2020.

Within a 10-year span from 2005 to 2015, teleworking grew by 115 percent. In addition, 33 percent of remote workers worked less than 20 percent in 2012. However, by 2016, 75 percent said they telecommuted at a minimum of 20 percent.

Globally, the amount increases. As stated by the International Workplace Group, 70 percent of the labor force worked from home at least one day or more per week. Half are telecommuting 50 percent or more during the week.

Subsequently, companies want to be informed about tips and trends for remote work in 2021. It’s on, and there’s no going back!

18 Reasons to Consider Remote Employees in 2021

1. Advancement in Technology Has Made It Easier

Remote work has become what it is today due to the many advances in technology. Revolutionary tech tools like a cloud to monitor virtual employees and other mechanization have overwhelmingly contributed to the increasing popularity of remote employees. Due to online communication tools working from home has eased its way into the conventional employer-employee relationship.

2. More Productive Employees/Lesser Leaves

According to Flexjobs “a number of studies reveal that remote employees are more productive than office employees.” Clearly, like anyone else, at-home workers have their off-days. Despite that, research shows that they are usually more productive and less likely to take off from work.

3. Businesses Can Avoid Infrastructure Cost

In many cases, remote employees have their own equipment. This is especially true of freelancers who may work for different companies and consider themselves self-employed. Moreover, businesses save on office space including electricity, office furniture, and Wi-Fi. Saving on the cost of office space alone is a tremendous benefit and can be utilized to increase business revenue.

4. Escaping the Stress of the Dreaded Commute

Studies show that 82 percent of remote workers believe that not working in a traditional office decreases their stress level. One reason is that at-home employees get to skip the dreaded commute and have the freedom to organize their work to suit their lifestyles and not vice-versa. This obviously contributes to lower stress levels and increased productivity. In fact, companies that use remote workers claim that they are more apt to put in the additional time because they don’t have to commute and therefore, are more relaxed and flexible

5. Employees Save on Expenses

The average remote employee can save a few thousand dollars a year. Savings include things like gas, lunches, clothing, and over $800 a year on car maintenance according to AAA figures.

6. Access to Global Talent

Employers have a choice of the best talent in the world! Some companies have enough resources to hire individuals or teams regardless of where they are located globally, while others require the worker to be in a particular time zone. As a result, they can easily focus on employees with the specific skills needed to complete the tasks.

7. Access to Talent at Lower Costs

Because companies hiring remote employees have the pick-of-the-crop, training costs are literally a non-issue. From a business perspective, by hiring outside contractors, only the work assigned and completed is compensated rather than having to pay a full payroll. The savings can be immense! Another unanticipated benefit is that due to their savings on commuting costs, for example, remote employees have little resistance to accepting a small decrease in salary.

8. A decrease in Employee Turnover

Research performed by Stanford University states that providing a choice to work remotely reduced employee turnover and job deterioration dropped by more than 50 percent. Over 80 percent of professionals confessed that their loyalty to the company would increase if they had more accommodating work options. Statistics reveal that workers with options are more contented and less likely to leave the company.

9. Enhanced Work-Life Balance

Many remote workers cite that improved work-life balance is a key reason for working remotely. They take pleasure in the independence to arrange their working day when they are the most productive and efficient, while also making time for their family life. Possibly the most important strategy remote employees can apply is time management in order to create an ideal work-life balance.

10. Improved Employee Engagement

Remote employees frequently accomplish and transcend their objectives. This is partly due to the increased satisfaction with their job and flexible schedule. Telecommuters feel more in control and confident. The ‘boss constantly looking over the shoulder’ syndrome is all but obliterated. Workers become less hostile and more engaging.

11. Less Time Wasted on Coffee Breaks and Chatting

Hanging around the water cooler chatting and taking coffee breaks at every possible
opportunity are activities employers have no need to worry about with remote employees. What’s more, companies save on accouterments like coffee capsules and other extras. No more employees taking off time to run to the nearest Starbucks for a non-fat Frappuccino with extra whipped cream and chocolate sauce.

12. No Office Politics

For remote workers, it’s easier to keep a low-profile and stay free of office politics. Office politics are unavoidable in a traditional office as workers are competing for the same promotions and raise. In some respects, workplaces are very similar to high school environments, which many staff members would rather avoid.

13. Decentralization of Workforce

Due to the convenience of remote working, employees are no longer required to live in the same city or the same country as the company that employs them. In fact, in the US, towns are diligently promoting the movement back to rural districts and small towns rather than living in cities. In many instances, in rural areas the high-speed broadband is superb and real estate is cheaper. Smaller towns are being redeveloped into business hubs and forming an economic hub for the community.

14. Saves Environment

Eco-friendly decisions are increasingly becoming a priority with many companies. For
example, IBM for years has exercised an extensive environmentally aware approach to
their work ethics. Employees working from home is environmentally beneficial.
They decrease air pollution due to less driving; they create less waste from
Styrofoam cups and plastics and use less electricity.

15. Staying Ahead of Trends and Learning from Peers in Other Places

Building bridges among the global workforce benefits the company and its employees. Companies get the advantage of exposure in a new area learning about the culture and how to suit their needs. Remote workers have the advantage via technology to connect with others learning about new environments and languages.

16. 24/7 Accessibility

One of the biggest advantages of hiring remote employees is access to around-the-
clock production anytime and anywhere. Businesses can operate 24/7 with adequate customer service representatives. Having workers on-the-ready in key time zones assisting customers is a boost for any business.

17. Different Regions-Different Skills

Another perk of having access to a broader pool of workers is diversity. If a company requires employees to translate documents or write an advertisement in another language than their own, there are plenty of options. This increases customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. Employing a global team helps individuals from various cultures learn and assist each other by sharing ideas that can be utilized regardless of location.

18. Localize Support to Customers

Various languages, cultures, and traditions can enhance or destroy business dealings. By providing localized support, a company shows that the customer matters by adapting to their needs and challenges. By observing the different time zones, holidays, devout observances, and workweek, a company proves their loyalty by providing support at the customer’s convenience with a real person rather than a robotic voice without the ability to offer personal attention.

Conclusion

Remote work is not for everyone nor for every company. However, it’s a trend that cannot be ignored. Companies and individuals should take an inside look into whether such a move suits their needs. There are tremendous benefits for both businesses and employees.

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Vaishali Badgujar is a content marketer at Time Doctor, a SaaS time tracking and productivity tool for companies and freelancers. She is a content marketing expert and specializes in link building.

TechFunnel Contributors | TechFunnel.com is an ambitious publication dedicated to the evolving landscape of marketing and technology in business and in life. We are dedicated to sharing unbiased information, research, and expert commentary that helps executives and professionals stay on top of the rapidly evolving marketplace, leverage technology for productivity, and add value to their knowledge base.

TechFunnel Contributors | TechFunnel.com is an ambitious publication dedicated to the evolving landscape of marketing and technology in business and in life. We are dedicate...

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