Remote working is a new invention. Even 30 years back, the idea of working from a remote location was unthinkable. But after tapping into its potential, industry experts realized it is beneficial for employers, as well as for employees.

Remote working benefits

You can make a profit in two ways; by increasing the margin of the dividend or surplus and by reducing the operating expenses. Remote working aids you in both. That’s why; experts have been advising industry leaders to hire remote workers.

Its feasibility

If it’s an online marketplace, where an employer is outsourcing works to freelancers, remote working is the de facto mode of delivering the work. But if someone has a lawn mowing business, he can’t expect his employees to work from a remote location.

However, there are database and networking related works, and can be carried out remotely. Such works include creating and maintaining balance sheets, hiring staff, keeping inventory details and employee information in secure locations, etc. All businesses handle these works, including lawn mowing firms.

Remote workers

A remote worker can be a full-time employee, a part-time employee, an outsourcing partner, a contractor for a short time or a hybrid employee. Such an employee can attend online meetings and webinars and even attend training. Working from a remote location is good for the employee for following reasons:

Increased productivity

For now, the total work hours don’t include the time employees spend to reach office. But a European court has announced that work includes traveling to the workplace, meaning employers have to pay workers for zero performance.

A remote worker can work from any location. The employer pays the worker only for the work delivered, not for traveling to somewhere because he doesn’t travel. It’s a money-saving model. He doesn’t chat with other employees either, meaning he doesn’t waste work hours.

Employee health

Every employer wants his employees to be in good health. An unhealthy person can never produce quality work. Remote workers have more time than regular workers. They can invest the extra time in fitness activities, and stay healthy. In a workplace, an employee has to take a day off for a doctor’s appointment. A remote worker, on the other hand, can work at the doctor’s chamber while waiting in the queue.

Cost-effective

Remote working is cost-efficient cost-efficient both for the employee and the employer. The employer doesn’t have to arrange work-stations, computers, paper weight, pen stand, dossiers, push pins, cutter knife, staple remover, paper tray, etc, and saves money.

The employee doesn’t have to pay transportation cost. He doesn’t have to relocate himself to another location, which can be quite expensive. He stays at home all the time and spends money only when it is necessary.

Flexible work hours

This one’s perhaps the biggest benefit of remote working. Office workers work from 9 am in the morning to 5 pm in the evening, which means if they deliver a work at 5 o’clock in the evening, and if the work requires modifications, then either the worker would have to work for extra time, or be at the office at sharp 9 o’clock the next day.

A remote worker, on the other hand, can modify the work whenever he wants. He might deliver the work at 7 o’clock in the evening, and do some changes at 11 pm. The flexible working hours translate to greater work productivity.

Remote working challenges

There are some challenges, which both a remote worker and his employer need to address. The challenges include lack of motivation, isolation, sporadic communication, etc.

Lacking motivation

Remote workers often lack motivation because the office environment fosters competition. They connect to employers either via phone or online. To workers, such interactions appear non-human, and they lose motivation.

Working alone

It’s true that office chats and interpersonal interactions at workplace distract employees, but such interactions often help workers in mentally rejuvenating themselves. Remote workers may feel isolated, and get distracted.

Irregular communication

Remote workers communicate with employers only when required. However, experts have pointed out the importance of frequent communication between employees and the employer.

Overcoming the challenges

Overcoming the challenges is not a herculean task. The workers need to increase the level of communication with the employer by asking for feedback. The employers need to suggest the scopes for improvement, and give workers praise when they truly deserve it.

Benefits never come without challenges. Since remote working saves money, it’s imperative for the workers and the employer to cooperate with each other and increase productivity.

What do you think of the article? Are you a remote worker? What challenges do you face? Let us know in the comment section.