The Top 14 Benefits of Working Remotely

90% of those already working remotely plan to continue so for the rest of their careers. In this article, we’ll highlight the top 14 benefits of working remotely. 

Not only do employees reap a multitude of benefits from the convenience of working in their own space, but employers can save time and money switching to either a remote-first or remote-friendly work model. 

14 benefits or working remotely 

1. Reduced operating costs

If you have a completely remote business, you won’t need to pay for a headquarters or any office space. 

Going completely remote may not be an option for every company, so a hybrid-remote work model can be a great option, too. 

You can choose to lease a smaller space for employees that need to go into the office to meet clients, but don’t need to show up to work everyday. Co-working spaces, like WeWork, are also good options. 

Eliminating an office space helps reduce costs for: 

• Heat 

• Power

• Office equipment 

• Commercial insurance

• Supplies

2. Cheaper transportation costs

By eliminating commute time, you’re making it easier for your employees to save money. 

Paying for gas or public transportation when commuting into an office adds up quickly. Remote employees can save anywhere from $2,600-$6,125  every year.

Empowering your employees to work remotely also shows their financial well-being matters to your company. This can lead to a higher retention rate and interest from top talent in your field. 

3. More diverse teams 

When you hire an in-office team, you’re limited to talent in your town or city.

However, with a remote-friendly company, you can recruit top talent from outside your city and gain a stronger foothold in the global marketplace.

Diverse teams give new insights into your business and products that may have been overlooked by only hiring in one city or country. Hiring with diversity in mind opens your business up to broader clientele and gives your company more options to fill open positions. 

4. Lower carbon footprint 

One of the most noticeable benefits of remote work is reducing your business's carbon footprint. 

When fewer employees are commuting to work everyday, there are less greenhouse gas emissions which helps with everything from global warming to general air quality, because employees aren’t using their cars or public transportation to get to work everyday. 

For employers, not having an in-office space where your business is consuming unnecessary electricity and supplies will also significantly reduce a carbon footprint. 

5. Better recruiting and retention

Millennials and Gen-Z want flexibility, with the option for remote work in their employment. 84% of millennials and 64% of Gen Z report that when researching a potential place of employment, having some sort of remote work model available is a deciding factor.

6. More flexibility 

Remote-first and completely WFH businesses give their employees the opportunity to travel or become digital nomads. Many countries like Costa Rica and Spain have begun offering digital nomad visas that allow remote workers to live in their country for a year without the hassle of obtaining a traditional work permit. 

For people who need to move for their partner's work or family reasons, remote work can enable your team members to keep their job without any major disruptions. Before remote work, most employees would be forced to resign from their current roles to make the transition possible for their partner or family member.

7. Quieter work environment 

For many people, working in an office setting or around large groups of people can be distracting. 

A quieter work environment allows your employees to focus on their tasks without the distraction of outside noise. This can increase  productivity and may allow your employees to complete more tasks throughout the day. 

8. Work-life balance

Working from home gives employees a better handle on their work-life balance. 

Instead of spending precious time commuting, that extra time can be spent with family or catching up on rest.

9. Focus on wellness

Remote work can help boost employee's wellness especially in terms of exercise. You might encourage your employees to take a yoga class in the morning or hit the gym during their lunch break.

10. Increased productivity 

Although remote work can decrease some team members' output, with proper management and guidance, you can alleviate these problems and actually increase productivity.  

With less interruptions and noise, you’ll find that employees are able to focus on their given tasks without feeling burnout. It may sound counterintuitive, but giving your employees the ability to work remotely allows them to focus on what matters: their job. 

11. Improved employee health 

Working from home can improve overall employee health and reduce the chance of contracting illnesses. Why? Working in a cramped office setting puts you up close and personal with anyone who comes to work sick with illnesses like COVID and the flu.

12. Earn more money

On average, remote workers earn about 23.7% more than non-remote employees. Remote work already reduces the cost of commute and cost of living for employees, so with these higher salaries, remote workers are set up significantly better than in-office workers for financial sustainability.  

13. Less focus on office politics

While management may fall prey to proximity bias and give employees they have a personal relationship with favorable treatment over those they don’t interact with everyday, if you engage your remote employees, you’ll give everyone the same chance for career growth.  

14. Encourages self-sufficiency and communication skills

If you’re working with a distributed team across different time zones, you may not always have someone there to guide you through a project or task which encourages self-sufficiency and problem-solving. 

Working remotely encourages team members to reach out if a problem arises and communicate exactly what they need.

Justworks Can Help Manage International Hiring

Choosing the right EOR to help you expand your business internationally can be a game changer. Justworks’ global EOR services enables small businesses to hire international employees quickly, pay them in the local currency, and provide local benefits. It’s hard to know where to start and what to put in place abroad to protect business and your employees. At Justworks, we have in-country legal teams and entities set up to ensure that your payroll is protected and that you’re remaining compliant abroad. 

From access to top talent pools around the world to streamlined international hiring processes, the advantages of working with an EOR (and using Justworks) are undeniable. Get started today. 

FAQ

What are five advantages of working remotely? 

There are a lot of advantages both to the employer and employee working remotely. Five key advantages are: 

• Lower carbon footprint

• Reduced operating costs

• Flexibility 

• Work-life balance

• Increased productivity

What is the biggest advantage of working remotely? 

One of the main advantages of working remotely is that it offers flexibility. It gives employees flexibility in how they structure their day and complete tasks. It gives employers flexibility in how they manage their team and run their company. 

Are remote workers happier? 

Many studies indicate that remote workers are happier. Remote work reduces commute times, improves finances, and offers a better work-life balance leading to increased wellness levels for workers. 

What is the hardest part of working remotely? 

The hardest part about working remotely is facing social isolation and building a routine. The best way to curb both problems is to make sure that you get out of the house everyday and around people and to make sure you are as consistent in your routine as you would be going into an office everyday.