Between March and April of 2020, users of the Microsoft Teams application surged by 33 million users. This unprecedented growth, demonstrated in the chart below, was mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Statista
While the rise in remote workers is hardly surprising given the circumstances, it does raise an interesting question. Is remote working the new normal?
Modern Technology Supports Remote Workers
The pandemic has accelerated the move toward a remote working model. The business world had, however, started embracing telecommuting models long before 2020. In the last ten years, remote working increased by 91% in the United States alone.
The internet, and particularly advances in cloud-based technology, have fueled that growth. Cloud-based collaboration services such as Google Docs and Slack make sharing information quick and easy.
Video conferencing apps like Skype and Zoom have made it easier to conduct “face-to-face” meetings virtually.
Finally, even work events and conferences are being replicated in virtual capacities. New companies like Escapely have emerged since the pandemic, for example. An online company that offers virtual escape games for groups of any size, bringing in-person ice breakers to your home.
Remote Working Improves Productivity
Changing workplace attitudes favor offering employees flexible schedule options. Research in now shows that working from home increases productivity. Remote workers put in an average of 1.4 days more than their office-bound counterparts.
Contrary to common belief, working from home improves productivity because:
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- Employees face fewer distractions, like office gossip and intrusive phone calls.
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- The model allows employees to create a better work-life balance and, consequently, improves employee satisfaction.
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- Employees don’t waste valuable time or money commuting.
- By structuring their days, employees can take advantage of their most productive periods.
Flexi-Time Options are Seen as a Significant Job Perk
In many industries, employees demand that flexi-time options be made available to them. For companies to remain competitive in the job market, they must keep pace. The concept of the traditional nine-to-five job is fast giving way.
In industries that can accommodate flexible working hours, the importance is shifting to how much work’s done rather than when it’s done.
Businesses Realize the Benefits
Hiring remote workers allows businesses to draw on a global talent pool. They may opt to outsource work to reduce staffing costs. Firms also save on infrastructural expenses, like office expenses.
Not All Business Models Translate Well for Remote Working
Naturally, there are some cases where this model won’t work. In the retail industry and some entertainment industries, for example, there’s no substitute for personal interaction. A professional escort, for instance, won’t be able to phone in companionship. Retailers will also always need employees to manage a walk-in business.
Final Notes
As a general rule, office work translates well into a remote working model. Thanks to technological advances, it’s possible, and even beneficial, for firms to allow telecommuting. Remote working won’t suit every industry, but it suits enough to ensure its place as the new normal.
Employees benefit through a better work-life balance. Employers enjoy lower costs and increased productivity. While there are some challenges to teleworking that businesses must address, there’s no going back now.
