Over the past few decades, society has experienced a huge transformation in technology and the way we use it today. The idea of remote work or the original term, telecommuting, has been in existence for nearly 40 years. But now it is becoming more normal to work remotely with developments and improvements in connectivity through technology. Laptops are smaller and lighter, while the internet is faster. Meetings can now even be held through Skype or Google Hangouts from all areas of the globe, with little delay in audio or video. Technology is not the only thing changing these working habits, culture has changed as well. Many people spend their whole careers trying to find a work-life balance. But younger generations seem to have found it through working remotely. Through these technological and cultural changes, the concept of remote work has become increasingly popular and normal in today’s society.
Why should organisations let employees work remotely?
Remote work is positive for employees and organisations in many ways; employees working remotely have shown positive results such as a decrease in commuting time, more flexible lifestyles, and better general health. According to a survey by Connect Solutions, 35% of remote workers reported exercising more and 42% were found to have healthier diets. Additionally, working remotely leads to increased productivity and increased engagement leading to increased bottom-line profits and overall happier employees.
Control versus trust: how do I know that my remote employees are actually working?
Traditional management theory has told us that the concept of remote work cannot function well; that if you cannot oversee your employees, they will work less or not at all. However, several studies have stated the contrary. As we’ve discovered before, remote working leads to increased levels of productivity. The main contributions to this are decreased amounts of distractions, increased flexibility and a better work-life balance. The concept of remote working requires a good foundation of trust between the firm and the employee as well as flexibility. In addition to that, open and regular communication is needed to make it work smoothly. This is the groundwork to creating a pleasant relationship and collaboration between the remote employee and an organisation. Through the mutual feeling of trust, the employee is likely to feel more ownership and responsibility for their tasks, therefore leading to increase productivity and motivation.
What does the future of remote work look like?
Many trends are starting to show that remote working may become the norm and preferred way of working in the near future. As technology continues to change and evolve, this will become easier than ever. The delivery of 5G is going to bring the most dramatic change in the remote workforce, in all industries. Other changes or developments in technology such as AI and the IoT will contribute to making remote working even better and potentially change the way we work.
All things considered, whether your employees are working from their home. A coworking location in Bali or just at the regular office location. Having options and the flexibility to decide where they work is likely to make them happier, more motivated and more productive. Keeping the control in their hands, helps them feel like they can create a work life that they love. After all, what is more valuable to a manager than an employee who loves what they do?
To gather information on your employee’s preferences, Measuremen has created an app named Habital. It is an excellent tool to make the first step towards figuring out what your colleagues really want in the workplace. Find out more here or get in touch with us for more information!
To find out more about the best location to work, check out Nomad List, which shows the top remote working locations worldwide based on factors such as the cost of living, internet speeds, co-working spaces and other variables.