Work that is flexible is the way of the future. Remote work has become the new normal for global enterprises and corporate employers, with corporations all over the world requesting their staff to work from home. Improved well-being and cheaper expenses are some of the advantages of working from home for both firms and people.
Working from home expands the number of options available to organizations in terms of how they operate and organize themselves. With the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, home working has provided some companies the flexibility they need to keep their businesses running while prioritizing the health and well-being of their employees and customers as part of their public health responsibilities.
Working from home was on the rise prior to the coronavirus epidemic, as many firms recognized the benefits to their businesses and better work-life balance for their employees. Even if you don’t think working from home will benefit your firm, employees with 26 weeks of service have a legal right to seek flexible work arrangements, such as working from home, and you, as an employer, must seriously consider such requests.
Employees who work from home have a number of advantages.
With a rising number of people working from home – or utilizing home as a work base for at least part of the week – it’s evident that there are several advantages for businesses, including:
- Flexibility and agility – working from home allows for more flexibility and agility in working arrangements. Employees may be better positioned and more ready to work flexible hours, such as earlier or later in the day, or even on weekends, if they are no longer tethered to an office. This might assist you in meeting specific company demands, such as dealing with consumers in a different time zone.
- Employee retention can be improved by allowing workers to work from home since the flexibility allows them to fulfill childcare obligations, minimize their commuting time, and fit their work around their personal lives. Allowing employees to work from home increases their faith in their employer, which can lead to higher levels of employee loyalty.
- Attract new talent: Offering home working as an incentive to come work for you will help you attract fresh talent to your company. Even simply allowing employees to work from home can provide you a competitive edge over competitors that do not allow employees to work from home.
- Increased productivity – as a result of fewer interruptions than in an office setting. Working from home, on the other hand, provides a calmer setting that allows for more concentrated work. Employees may also work longer hours since they can use the time saved from traveling to begin work sooner, later, or both.
- Employees will feel more trusted by their company if they work from home because the working relationship isn’t as tightly watched and employees are given more latitude to get on with their task. Staff will also be happier if they can build a home working pattern that suits them better, which will help them feel more driven to do their best job.
- Improved employee health and happiness – working from home reduces the need for your workers to commute to work, which can be stressful. Staff can also benefit from other health benefits like getting better sleep, spending more time with family, exercising, or preparing better meals as a result of time savings like these.
- Financial advantages include cost savings on office space, supplies, power costs, and other services. Working from home may be eligible for tax relief from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) – check seek tax relief for your job costs – working from home for more information.
- Convenience – You may have employees who make frequent visits to customers’ locations and hence are not in the office on a regular basis. Allowing them to work from home might be more convenient and result in further time and expense savings.
- Working from home may help employees improve their work-life balance. For example, individuals who would have had to commute may now utilize that time for themselves, resulting in a better work-life balance. Staff may also incorporate domestic duties into their workday, allowing them more free time in the evenings, such as loading or unloading the dishwasher or cooking supper during their lunch break.
- Technology makes it simpler – the internet allows employees to stay linked to the office at all times. Communication between coworkers and teams has become more simpler thanks to tools like Skype, which may sometimes lead to more efficient and successful meetings.
- Fewer sick days – employees who work from home are more likely to be happy and energized, which means their immune systems are less likely to be harmed by burnout. Additionally, because staff work in isolation, there is a lower risk of infection spreading than there would be in an office setting.
- There’s less of a need for regular vacations because working from home might feel like a break from the business, even though employees are still on the clock. Working from home employees will feel more energized and will be able to spend more time with their families, reducing the need for vacation time. However, it is your responsibility as an employer to guarantee that employees take their vacations – find out how much vacation time to provide your employees.
Employees who work from home also have disadvantages.
Though there are certain drawbacks to working from home, the most of them apply to individuals who work from home full-time rather than part-time:
- Working from home is not for everyone, and it may not be suited to everyone’s personality or abilities. Some employees may appreciate the regularity and structure that comes with working in an office setting. Some employees prefer face-to-face engagement with coworkers and believe that face-to-face coaching from their boss is incredibly valuable in assisting them in completing duties and achieving their objectives. You must also consider personnel with disabilities. Working from home may have an adverse effect on the assistance they require to do their duties. Working from home may not be suitable for everyone’s lifestyle, for example, some people may have small children who are oblivious to limits and cause disruptions during the working day. Others may not have the necessary physical space to set up a distinct work place.
- Individuals working from home may experience a detachment from their coworkers and the organization as a whole, which is natural in an office setting. Employers might solve this issue by ensuring that communication is more consistent. Staff are given additional opportunities to feel active and part of the team by organizing brief catch-ups via phone or regular team meetings using other technologies like Skype. More informal and sociable get-togethers might also assist to alleviate any feelings of loneliness.
- Difficulty managing and monitoring performance – controlling and monitoring the performance of home employees may be challenging. Different personalities may react to monitoring in a positive or negative way. You can consider defining measurable objectives and targets for your employees so that if they don’t meet them, you can spot and address any performance concerns early on. See how to effectively manage workers who work from home by looking at how to manage staff performance.
- Home distractions – though working from home eliminates the distractions that can arise in the workplace, if a worker does not have a sufficiently quiet dedicated working environment at home, they may be easily distracted by domestic noises or other members of their household.
- Potential burnout – when an office provides a clear physical boundary between work and personal life, working from home might cause employees to lose sight of the separation. Employees may find it difficult to decide when to leave work, resulting in longer hours, higher stress, and, eventually, burnout. Employers should urge their employees to take frequent breaks and emphasize the value of taking vacation time.
- The initial expenses of training and providing appropriate equipment, such as laptops, cell phones, and other IT equipment, are included in the cost of working from home. You’ll also need to think about making changes to fulfill health and safety regulations.
- Staff development issues – You may discover that not having employees in close proximity makes it tough to sustain staff development and upgrade capabilities. You might, however, encourage employees to participate in online events and courses to gain new skills. To get started, use our Events Finder to look for events.
- Information security risk – issues with information security are more likely to develop when employees operate from home. With laptops being carried home and the requirement for personnel to access servers remotely, there is an increase in danger. Employers should verify that encryption software and remote-wipe programs are installed to secure corporate data if mobile devices provided by them go missing. Virtual private networks encrypt your data and provide you safe internet access to a remote machine. This keeps your files and data safe while yet allowing your employees to access them. See the section on IT security and dangers.
- Detrimental impact on mental health – If your employees are unable to establish a schedule that works for them, are having difficulty separating work and home life, or are feeling lonely, the transition to working from home may have a negative impact on their mental health. Encourage your workers to form a work habit, set up a designated work location, and establish boundaries for other family members to assist you. Increase the number of opportunities for employees to stay engaged by holding regular conversations and team catch-ups. Eating well and exercising regularly can also assist to promote mental health, especially if they are incorporated into a regular pattern. The NHS has 7 easy guidelines for dealing with working from home.
- Reduced employee morale – when people work from home on their own, it can be difficult to sustain team spirit.
- Working from home is not suitable for all jobs; certain jobs are better suited to working from home than others. Working from home also appeals to some personality types but not to others. Some people prefer face-to-face communication with their coworkers.
- Poor broadband speeds – you should be aware that, depending on where your employees reside, they may not be able to get broadband speeds that allow them to do their jobs properly, e.g., rural broadband is notoriously sluggish.
- The coronavirus epidemic has provided some companies with a realistic understanding of how it affects their business and employees, who may not have previously regarded working from home as an option for their employees. It has given employers firsthand knowledge with the benefits and drawbacks of working from home. This experience may be quite useful in determining the future direction of workers’ working habits.
Employees do not have to work exclusively from home as a result of the transition to home working. Splitting time between home and work is often the most productive answer, and you may want the homeworker to attend meetings to ensure that they are completely engaged and informed.