Despite the numerous benefits of telecommuting, remote work has also been plagued by negative misconceptions.
Before limiting your recruitment to candidates who are able to commute to your office on a daily basis, it’s crucial to have a full understanding of the facts surrounding remote work. Making an informed decision will benefit both you and your business.
The Myth of Lower Productivity in Remote Employees
This is actually far from the truth. The data indicates that remote employees are significantly more productive.
The findings of a nine-month research study by Ctrip, which monitored telecommuting contact center workers, were quite surprising. The results showed that these remote workers responded to 13.5% more calls than their in-office counterparts, adding roughly three additional workdays of productivity each month. Such results are set to change the traditional perception of remote work for many people.
Several studies have consistently shown that offering employees more flexibility in terms of attendance leads to increased productivity. In fact, Best Buy saw a 35% boost in productivity by implementing such flexibility. A survey conducted by ConnectSolutions (now known as CoSo Cloud) revealed that 77% of remote workers experienced an improvement in productivity while 52% reported reduced time off.
One of the greatest advantages of remote work is the elimination of workplace distractions, including excessive meetings and talkative colleagues. This has a significant impact on productivity, as remote workers are known to produce more work compared to their in-office counterparts.
The Myth of Coordination Difficulties with Remote Employees
This statement no longer holds true thanks to the current state of technology. Besides email, there are now many online collaboration programs available, such as Slack, Azendoo and many others.
It’s becoming increasingly common for both digital nomads and regular employees to utilize productivity and sharing apps. In fact, it’s now rare to come across a software engineering company that doesn’t use GitHub or a similar service for both on-site and remote workers.
Reports indicate that over nine million users have created accounts on the widely used software development platform, GitHub, and an additional twenty million have visited the website without signing up. Such immense popularity puts GitHub among the top one hundred most visited websites on a global scale.
In reality, using such tools and services enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire remote workforce.
According to a survey by TINYpulse, over 50% of remote workers engage in daily communication with their managers. Such research provides valuable insight into the happiness and productivity of telecommuters.
If you’re seeking ways to enhance collaboration among teams situated in different locations and time zones, Works is the ideal resource for you. Our website provides useful information on achieving efficient team collaboration, whether in-office or remote, as well as tips on selecting online meeting software that best suits your requirements.
The Myth of Higher Costs for Employing Remote Workers
Despite common perception, businesses can actually save money by employing remote staff.
Enabling employees to work remotely can entail significant cost savings. By cutting back on expenses for rent, utilities, office supplies, and furniture, companies could potentially save an average of £8,400 each year, per employee who works from home at least some of the time. These savings could increase with a larger portion of the workforce opting for remote work.
Let’s examine the study by Ctrip that I mentioned earlier. It demonstrated that by offering remote work, the company was able to save up to $1,900 for each employee.
Working from home can provide numerous benefits for employees, including reduced transportation costs. CoSo Cloud conducted a study revealing that remote workers save an average of £5,240 per year on expenses related to transportation, such as petrol, lunch, and parking fees.
There is abundant evidence to suggest that enabling remote work for employees can positively impact a business’s bottom line. Remote workers tend to have lower levels of absenteeism due to illness, resulting in significant cost savings for companies. Research indicates that remote workers, who enjoy more flexibility and control over their schedules, are less likely to take time off due to personal issues or stress, which accounts for as much as 78% of all employee sick days.
An unplanned absence of an office-based employee can cost a business approximately £1,800 per year. Hence, digital nomads who don’t require scheduled time off for routine medical visits can help decrease these expenses and potentially save companies thousands of pounds yearly.
Consider the following examples from GlobalWorkplaceAnalytics to see why remote employees can be an asset for companies:
- IBM, for example, was able to reduce real estate expenses by $50 million as a result.
- Nortel reports saving $100,000 per employee who can work remotely.
- According to research, businesses may save an average of $10,000 per employee each year in real estate costs by implementing full-time telework. (source)
- Sun Microsystems has managed to decrease its yearly real estate costs by $68 million.
Does remote work compromise data security?
Despite evidence to the contrary, some individuals still believe the misconception that working remotely compromises data security.
One reason for this is that employers may worry that the machines and software used by remote workers are outdated and not regularly updated with the latest patches and updates, posing a potential risk. While this could be an issue for some remote workers, it is not the case for those recommended by Works.
To alleviate any concerns you may have about security breaches resulting from outdated software, we guarantee that each candidate presented to you by Works has the latest patches installed.
Some business leaders may still have reservations about the security of cloud-based data, perhaps due to preconceived notions or bias. However, it is crucial to recognize that data security can be compromised whether or not you choose to have remote workers. To address this concern, we offer the services of a security specialist or data engineer who can ensure that your cloud-based information is as secure as possible.
Most cloud applications today use highly advanced security measures to ensure data protection while still allowing access for both remote and local employees. (source)
Finally
It is crucial not to let misconceptions hinder your business decisions. Implementing telecommuting can boost productivity, decrease expenses, and facilitate communication. To guarantee that your remote worker is well-versed in data security, Works conducts thorough background checks on all candidates.
Now that you understand why remote work is becoming the most prominent recruitment trend of the year, let Works help you find the ideal employee who can take your company to the next level.
