Remote Working, What Is It? And What Are the Benefits?

In knowledge-work companies, a movement was starting to take shape before 2020. Do we really need to be together in an office to complete our work? People have started to question why personal technology and digital connectivity have evolved so far and so quickly. In recent years, working from home has been widely adopted. We noticed that many of us don't actually require on-site colocation with colleagues to perform our work. Individuals, teams, and entire workforces have all succeeded in doing so effectively while being evenly divided.

There are three structures for remote working: 

• Distributed teams

  • Each of these is composed of a number of scattered-about sub-teams. Offshoring and international software development frequently adopt this model.

• Dispersed teams

  • With this structure all team members work by themselves from distinct locations.

• Hybrid teams

  • The majority of employees work together in the same office at this point, although some also work independently from homes or other workplaces.

All structures incorporate teamwork, but the big difference with on-site team collaboration is that you don’t have to leave your house.  

The Benefits of Incorporating Remote Working

For Individuals 

1. Two Jobs One Location

It is surprising how many employees benefit from remote working. For people who are in a dual-career situation, it eases the pain of looking for two jobs in a single location. Another benefit is, when one side of the relationship has to move due to his or her career, the partner doesn't have to give up their career. It allows the partner to freely follow their loved one without any repercussions.

2. Better Quality of Life

A lot of employees also mention that better quality of life is a big benefit of remote working. They talked about proximity to medical care for children, accommodating their partners, and the ability to enjoy warmer weather, prettier views, and greater recreational opportunities. Millennials in particular seemed captivated by the idea that WFA would allow them to become “digital nomads,” travelling the world while still employed. Before the pandemic-related restrictions, some companies, such as Remote Year, were aiming to facilitate that lifestyle, and some countries, such as Estonia and Barbados, have created a new class of employment visa for such workers.

3. Cost of Living

Cost of living is another big theme with employees. Because of remote working, the employee doesn't have to live close to the business location. Some localities, such as the state of Vermont and the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma (where Tulsa Remote is located), have made a concerted effort to lure remote workers, touting the local community and lower costs. In San Francisco, the average rent on a two-bedroom apartment is $4,128; in Tulsa, it’s a mere $675.

For Organisations

1. Increase in Productivity 

Despite the fact that many businesses worry that employees who work from home may be less productive, many actually find the opposite to be true. Workers can create a comfortable, distraction-free workspace at home. 

The environment here is probably considerably more favourable to productivity than the typical office. In some occupations, particularly in the technology sector, workers must work in "blocks" and may need to concentrate for long periods of time. For this, having a private place free from interruptions is crucial, which is why remote work is so common in these sectors.

2. Greater Talent Pool 

Employers can select "the best of the best" by hiring remotely. While some companies can hire people from anywhere in the globe, others have specific geographic or time-zone requirements.

However, there will almost probably be more applicants in either case than if the position had been offered as an in-office position. 

3. Less Commuting time resulting in less absenteeism

Workplace absenteeism is a major issue for both employees and workers. Although remote working is helpful with them as well, illnesses and appointments are frequently inevitable, but commuting-related absenteeism can be reduced by hiring a remote workforce.

Employees often detest their commutes, with many saying that delays are worse than wage reductions.

Because they won't have to rush to catch a train at the end of the day, remote workers may be more willing to remain an extra five minutes to accomplish any duties. Employers may even discover that they are more motivated to start their days early owing to the lack of commuting.

IT Management & Consulting International

IT Management & Consutling’s mission is to help businesses and organizations improve productivity through Agile and Scrum leadership.

We have previously worked with a range of renowned companies, including Goldman Sachs, CabOnline, Cold Technology, and Clebag. Over the past seven years, we have helped clients reduce developing costs by up to 20% and improve on-time delivery by up to 45%.

We are always open to working with companies in Stockholm who are looking to increase their productivity.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We look forward to hearing from you.