There are many arguments for and against a company’s decision to make their workforce remote. Some people say that a remote workforce is more productive because employees don’t waste time commuting, while others claim it encourages laziness. This article will look at both sides of the story and let you decide for yourself whether or not it’s worth it for your business.
The case for a remote workforce
There are many advantages to the remote workforce, especially when you have the correct IT infrastructure. For example, avepoint.com provides a suite of tools to support a diverse workforce.
The following are just a few of the benefits of working remotely.
- It reduces stress by eliminating commute time and the possibility of being stuck in traffic, you can make fewer trips to work, thus reducing your commute time (and stress) overall.
- It saves money; if you pay for gas or parking, you may as well save money on commuting costs.
- It increases employee loyalty. By making employees feel like part of a team and not a collection of individuals, you have an easier time keeping your employees engaged and happy at work.
- There are more job opportunities because there are a large number of companies that operate on a remote workforce, and job seekers have a better chance of finding a remote-friendly company.
- It saves time; if you’re stuck in traffic or your train is late, you may miss meetings, deadlines, and other important events throughout the day.
- It makes collaboration easier; with the right software and setup, employees can quickly share files and information with each other while staying up to date on the latest project developments.
- You can hire talent from anywhere in the world: by hiring people from around the globe, you can increase employee diversity and create an atmosphere of inclusion at work.
Case for an office-based workforce:
- It gives managers a hands-on approach, by keeping an office-based workforce, managers are always able to oversee their teams and monitor progress.
- More control. Employees are more consistently productive because they can use the same tools that they would at home, so it’s easier for them to keep up with deadlines, etc.
- It reduces time wasted. Home workers have the temptation to goof off and not complete their tasks. When based in the office, it’s easier to oversee and monitor individual performance.
- It encourages communication; if employees can see and speak to one another, they can share ideas and help each other out when they’re stuck on a task or problem.
- There is more collaboration between departments: because departments are physically closer to one another, their communication with one another improves, which allows for better teamwork among everyone in the company.
You’re probably wondering: “So which is it? Should I spend my money creating job opportunities and building a remote workforce, or are there better ways to spend it?”
The answer to this question is up to you. Some companies choose to create a remote workforce; others choose not to. The most important thing is that you do what’s best for your company and grow your business. However, it is worth noting that remote working is becoming increasingly popular and therefore employees may come to expect either remote working or a hybrid approach.
