Not so long ago, the idea of employees working from home was often seen with scepticism and doubt. The office, with its frenetic but social activity, seemed like the only way to stay focused and productive. However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed almost everything. Businesses were forced to adapt as the world went into lockdown and home working became the new standard.

It appeared at first to be just an experiment, a temporary solution to a widespread occurrence. But with the passing time, something changed: both companies and employees began to see the possibilities of working from home, opening up a myriad of opportunities, with both benefits and drawbacks. Regardless, it has forever changed the way we think about our ‘work environment’.

The Benefits of Working From Home

1. Flexibility and Agility: In the virtual world, traditional constraints seem to disappear. Employees who work from home can more easily work flexible hours and manage stakeholder relationships at times they prefer to engage at.

2. Increased Retention: Happy workers are loyal workers. The flexibility of working from home allows people to better manage their work life balance, which can help ease stress and foster company loyalty.

3. Attracting New Talent: Remote working is a benefit that can be used for attracting future employees. Companies that provide hybrid working models have been proven to have a competitive advantage in the job market.

4. Increased Productivity: Working from home gives the employee the choice to create their preferred working environment, which can promote more attention and efficiency. 

5. Improved Motivation: When employees feel trusted and empowered to work autonomously, they are more likely to be industrious. 

6. Financial Advantages: For companies it can reduce costs on office space and has tax benefits for home office expenses. For employees, it can reduce the cost incurred to commute.

7. Convenience: The technology that became highly utilised during COVID-19, such as virtual meeting platforms, gave an alternative to people who were frequently travelling for face-to-face meetings, which now saves time and resources for businesses. It facilitates engaging communication and collaboration among remote workers.

8. Improving life Balance: Employees can use the time they would have spent commuting to work to do domestic chores or for self-care and hobbies. As a result, people can live a healthier and more balanced life.

9. Reduced Sick Leave: Happier and healthier employees are less likely to become ill, resulting in fewer sick days and increasing the company’s overall productivity.

The Challenges of Working from Home

1. Sometimes unsuitable: Working from home may not fit everyone's circumstances and working in a traditional office space may still be the best option for those who do not have access to a calm environment to concentrate. Also, some jobs may require employees to be physically present, like labouring.

2. Isolation: Working from home might lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation due to only interacting with people virtually.

3. Distractions at Home: While a home office can be ideal, not everyone has the space to set this up or have access to a calm environment.

4. Burnout Risk: A lack of physical separation between work and home can sometimes create less work life balance, as well as potentially resulting in longer working hours and burnout.

5. Costs: Initial investments in technology and equipment can be quite expensive, and not all costs may be tax deductible.

6. Professional development: While personal connection can create a learning environment and communal atmosphere within the company, working from home can have the opposite effect and may hinder collaboration and education.

7. Information Security Risk: It is more difficult to implement and monitor security measures to protect company data in a remote working environment.

8. Lowered Morale: Creating team spirit and company loyalty in a virtual environment is difficult and hard to replicate from a physical setting.

9. Poor Internet Connection: Employees living in rural locations may have difficulties with internet connection, limiting their capacity to work productively.

The COVID-19 epidemic offered an unexpected chance to delve into different aspects of remote working. While it may not be the best choice for every company or employee, it provides options for future working environments. The lessons we have learnt since those challenging times are now shaping the future of work. Businesses now have to adapt to this ‘new world’ in order to achieve productivity, employee satisfaction and success. As the lines between the office and home are blurring, a new era of work culture is emerging, providing a more flexible and balanced work environment.

However you prefer to work or you prefer your employees to work, Savant will find the right candidate and client for you. Call us today to discuss your options.