7 Reasons Why Remote Work Is Still Important in a Post-COVID World

In our most recent webinar ‘Boosting Your Business’, we briefly touched on why remote work is still important in a post-lockdown world. In this article, we will elaborate on the reasons given, as well as include a few more. So, grab that cuppa and get ready for seven reasons why remote work is here to stay.

 

REASON #1 – STILL SO MUCH (UN-)CERTAINTY

 

Most like to start with the bad news when facing the choice. So, we’ll start there.

 

Sadly, there is still so much uncertainty surrounding COVID. One of the reasons why remote work is still so worth talking about is because COVID is not over yet, far from it to be quite frank. At the time of writing and since the webinar, we have already seen a rise in COVID cases.

 

Couple this with talk of winter lockdowns or having to go to plan B, it is clear that all companies should at least still be preparing for the chance of another lockdown. This is where we are yet again forced to see the importance of remote work.

 

REASON #2 – INCREASE IN FLEXIBILITY

 

Next is a more positive aspect. There is an increase in flexibility that has a positive impact on businesses. A move to remote work will mean a move to cloud-based operations.

 

Why is this a good thing? It means more flexibility in terms of software.

 

And why is this a good thing? Well, thinking back, the classic setup of having a localised system from where all connected computers have to run the same software is no more. You can now cherry-pick who needs access to what software. This comes with a lot more flexibility AND also fewer costs.

 

Fewer costs?! Yes, cloud-based operations actually save you money. It’s one of the three myths we busted surrounding cloud in our webinar (check it out to find out the other two).

 

Finally, in terms of flexibility, you have the ability to be flexible for your clients and expand your potential clientele. This is something we have seen from many of our existing partners who have changed to remote work.

 

Remote work means that you can allow employees to work more flexible hours. Do you want to become international and reach clients who will be working in different times zones? Remote work can enable this.

 

We have seen clients who now have partners in New Zealand and Australia, due to their adoption of remote work. They can now wake up at a good time for their international clients and host meetings suitable to them.

 

REASON #3 – INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY

 

The pandemic has shown that remote work can actually increase productivity.

 

Something that may come as a surprise to some CEOs and senior staff members, the pandemic helped to prove what so many employees had long been arguing about. Flexible working have increase productivity for many small and large organisation.

 

Employees are less distracted than in an office environment, less commute means less stress, and employees can work outside of normal hours when working from home. There are so many factors that can contribute to why flexible working increases productivity. However, let’s take a look at some official statistics to back this up even further.

 

The London School of Economics conducted a study that concluded:

 

“With flexible work location and/or the option to work from home, burnout at work decreases by over a quarter (26%).”

 

“Overall, compared to those without remote-work access, access to remote work increases employee well-being, productivity, innovation, and inclusion. It increases innovation by 63%, work engagement by 75%, organisational commitment by 68%, and 93% of employees are more likely to report feeling included.”

 

REASON #4 – ABILITY TO POSITION YOURSELF AS A GREAT COMPANY TO WORK

 

It is harder than ever to find and retain talent, throughout all seniority levels and departments. Remote work adds to the benefits that people are looking for when searching for a new job as it actively contributes to their well-being.

 

This again is something that held true long before COVID and will be a factor for the foreseeable future. Before COVID, companies with remote work options saw improved employee retention and also an increase in their talent pool.

 

By promoting remote work, your company gets the best workers and keeps them, allowing your business to grow and flourish. In the long term, remote work will reduce costs associated with hiring and training new employees as well as knowing you will be employing the best.

 

REASON #5 – BEING PREPARED FOR ANOTHER PANDEMIC OR GLOBAL PROBLEM

 

When COVID hit and the world went into lockdown, there was a rush to get remote workers set up. This created a series of issues like a supply shortage for hardware.

 

This supply shortage resulted in second-hand sellers and even retailers increasing their prices for home office setups like laptops, headsets and webcams.

 

We reckon that any company that begins to phase remote work out of their operational processes will have to re-encounter this problem when any other global epidemic occurs.

 

Stay prepared. Even if you find remote work does not fit into your standard processes, do not forget about it! Keep it in mind and have contingency plans in place including a list of things and processes to ensure a smooth transition back to remote work.

 

REASON #6 – THE CHANGE HAS ALREADY HAPPENED

 

A shift has occurred in the way employees view work and work-life balance. Loads of big names from Google, Microsoft to the Bank of England but also many smaller organisations have all argued that they cannot see the total re-emergence of the office and commuting life.

 

Most of these companies have implemented either hybrid or choice-based office rotation systems. So many of us have become accustomed to not having to commute that it seems impossible that this can be a forced change back.

 

Any failure to accommodate the new normal would see you fall behind those who are taking advantage of reason 4 in this article!

 

REASON #7 – REMOTE WORK IS CLIMATE FRIENDLIER

 

 

Working from home is not the solution to climate change. It minimises every individual’s carbon footprint though.

 

Numerous studies have praised working from home for its environmental benefits while reducing a company’s overall carbon footprint, ranging from reducing carbon emissions caused by travelling to minimising significant office trash.

 

Employees, in general, are more sensible about travels and conscious about the relevance of face-to-face meetings. After all, the global economy recovered quickly despite the lack of in-person meetings.

 

Read more about our commitment to climate action here: Climate Action.

 

IS REMOTE WORK HERE TO STAY?

 

In conclusion, remote work or at least some form of hybrid workplace arrangement are most likely here to stay. Make sure that your business does not fall behind your competitors by falling behind on the ability to accommodate remote work.

However, whilst remote work is great. It does come with some risk. These risks can be making sure that the WiFi at home is optimised and secured correctly, controlling admin rights or making sure that those using their own devices are not causing security issues.

 

If you are yet to make the right changes to accommodate remote work safely or need continued support, we are just one call away.

 

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