Advancements in technology make it easier for people to work from home. As such, more employers than ever are discovering the advantages of allowing their staff to telecommute – at least once or twice a week, if not more.
As an employer, you are responsible for the success of your business. Allowing your staff to work from home can be a tough decision, especially when you can’t be sure if they will be motivated and disciplined enough to make it worthwhile. In case you’re on the fence about the idea, here are several reasons why you should allow your staff to telecommute.
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Save Your Space
When your employees work from home, there’s less need for dedicated office space. Instead, virtual office solutions or serviced offices are much more convenient and far less expensive than leasing or mortgaging physical premises.
When you rent a virtual or serviced office, you have access to the amenities you need for things like client meetings, conferences and employee training when you need it. Best of all, you aren’t locked into any long-term lease agreements for facilities that you don’t need.
Eco-Friendly
Fewer employees driving into the office means less pollution, meaning your company is doing its part to reduce climate change. By choosing to utilize technology such as cloud-based unified communications systems and other remote communication tools, your company reduces business travel, which cuts down on greenhouse gases that disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Boost Productivity
There is a common misconception that staff are less productive when unmonitored and therefore should not be allowed to work from home. However numerous studies have shown that when people are able to telecommute, they are much happier with their jobs and are more productive than those stuck in a stuffy office all day.
Staff Retention
One of the costliest aspects of running a business is training new employees. It can be a drain on resources to train people only to have them quit soon after because they aren’t happy. When you offer flexible work options, staff are more likely to stay on longer and tell others of their job satisfaction, which helps with future recruitment.
Healthy Minds & Bodies
People who have flexibility in their work options tend to be healthier and happier than those stuck in an office setting every single day. Even those who telecommute just one day a week are usually very satisfied with their schedules and are more creative and productive than their office-based coworkers.
Furthermore, if you have multi-generations working for your company, allowing staff the option to work from home could help build bridges between the generations who traditionally don’t see eye-to-eye in the workplace.
Capping Costs
We’ve already mentioned that allowing employees to telecommute reduces staff turnover and the need for dedicated office space. However, there are other areas it can save your company money as well.
Remote working tends to cut down on employee absenteeism, and it also allows a company to match payroll to seasonal needs. Furthermore, it can also reduce or eliminate monetary loss caused by power outages and downtime due to weather and other causes. Finally, because there is no bricks and mortar building to maintain, there are no utility bills to pay or office supplies and equipment to purchase or service regularly.
There’s no doubt that allowing your staff to telecommute has benefits for both your employees and your company alike. When you embrace flexible work options for your team, the workplace becomes a happier place for everyone.
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