Working from home has become a mainstay in today’s business world. Employees love the benefits of staying out of the office. But, is there an upside for employers? According to statistics, workers that telecommute get more done – and that means increased productivity and a boost in profits for companies that allow this non-traditional approach to the workday.
The Benefits
If you are considering allowing your employees to set up an office right at home, consider these benefits:
- Most Telecommuters Work Longer Hours: With no commuting time to factor into their day (and instant access to their work), most work-at-home employees log in more work time than their in-office counterparts.
- Increased Productivity: Researchers at Stanford University have reported that those who work from home are 13% more productive than employees stuck in a traditional office.
- Cost Savings: Allowing employees to work from home can save thousands in general office expenses. By requiring work-from-home staff to share cubicles, you need less office space, office supply costs go down, snack costs are reduced and other incidental fees and costs that you normally offer can be cut from your office budget.
- Meetings are More Productive: Meetings can be a good way for everyone to touch base and outline progress on a project. But, let’s face it, too often those office meetings simply waste everyone’s time. When staff members don’t work on site, meetings become shorter and more productive. Whether they are handled over the phone, by teleconference or in person, those involved tend to make every minute count.
- Employees are Happier: When staff members don’t have to deal with the day to day drama in the office, they tend to be happier and feel more appreciated. Whether they work from home every day or only a few days a week, that time away can help them refocus on the job at hand. Less time is wasted with idle chit-chat and non-productive meetings, and they tend to stay with the company longer.
- Better Work-Life Balance: When an employee has the benefit of working from home, they can create a better work-life balance, and that makes them a better employee. By giving them the opportunity to greet their children when they get home from school or even slip out to watch a soccer game, the employee is better able to focus on the job at hand while working.
- Higher Quality Talent Pool: One of the biggest benefits employees discover from integrating telecommuting into their general office atmosphere is the ability to hire anyone, no matter where they may live. This can open up the talent pool and give them the opportunity to hire talent they may otherwise not be able to consider. This can offer significant benefits to the company and its strategic success.
- Employees Take Fewer Sick Days: It is a proven fact that employees who work from home tend to work through almost any illness. Maybe it is because they don’t have to get dressed or even drive into the office, or maybe it is because they rest periodically throughout the day (as long as their work gets done). Illness doesn’t seem to stop telecommuters’ as much as traditional office workers.
Whether you are considering creating an entire telecommuting office, or simply want to offer your staff a chance to work from home once in a while, giving employees this opportunity is an excellent way to bolster morale, increase productivity and build a sense of loyalty amongst your workers. To learn more about the benefits of moving employees out of your office and back home, contact the relocation specialists at Expert Relocation Systems.