It is difficult in today’s world not to have come across the term “remote work,” due to the great expansion and changes that have taken place over the years in the way we work and in the types of jobs that allow this situation. So bring your favorite coffee or drink and be patient, because in this article I will cover all aspects of remote work with you and how you can start working remotely.
What is remote work?
Remote work is a method of working outside the office or outside the traditional work environment, so instead of committing to working in offices to finish specific projects or tasks, a remote employee can carry out these projects and tasks anywhere other than the office. There are some companies that give their employees the option to split the days of the week between working from the office and working remotely.
Some companies in Silicon Valley give individuals autonomy in how they perform their work, so the company suggests to the individual that if his job does not require specific hours, he can schedule a preferential time, so he can work on any project with the time frame that suits his time and the size of his business.
Where do people work remotely?
There are many ways in which individuals can work remotely. Herein lies the power of remote work, as people can choose to work in a way that makes their lives more convenient and easier.
For example: some people have the ability to work remotely most days of the week but have to go to team meetings in the office to catch any updates on current projects. On the day of telecommuting, these employees work remotely from their homes or cafes and can work from the corporate office when absolutely necessary. Some people rely on co-working spaces to be the places where they can get the job done.
Co-working spaces play a big role in providing a calm and conducive atmosphere for people who work remotely, as they provide excellent internet connections and opportunities to meet other individuals working in many industries. It can also be used by people with full-time and freelance jobs, and even by entrepreneurs who want to rent office space for themselves or their entry-level employees. Workspaces are a resource for finding the right workplace for remote workers. What matters in remote work is that you have the tool you will work with and the right place, and if your remote work depends on the Internet, then there must be a strong Internet to help you work smoothly.
Advantages of remote work
We cannot deny that remote work has many advantages and benefits for companies and individuals. There is no better situation than working according to your preferences and without feeling tied to an office and surrounded by many employees who interrupt you or cause you to be distracted, which does not allow you to bring out the best in you. Here are the most important of these features:
1. Lower costs
Remote work has many costs for both the company and the individual, but let’s focus on the individual because they are the most important part of the remote work process. Imagine you work in another city, which means you spend a large portion of your income on transportation. Remote work eliminates this problem, and you no longer need to travel to another city; you can work from home.
Lower costs are also a benefit to the company as well. If you track the financial costs that are spent in the presence of employees, you will find that they are large. Instead, these costs are invested in more important procedures and things.
2. A vibrant, diverse team
Companies that offer remote working options to all of their employees will surround you with people from all over the world. You may be from China, and you have a co-worker from the other half of the planet, from a different culture with different beliefs. Remote work brings people from various backgrounds and experiences together, which may appear to be a minor benefit, but if you look closely, you will notice that different cultures and experiences help solve problems in unusual ways. Cultural differences foster unique ideas, and combining your ideas with those of your colleagues results in excellent solutions.
You will make new friends from places you might not have thought of, and you will have great experiences and benefit from them! This is especially useful for individuals who need to stay home for an extended period of time to work remotely. So you feel that you are not alone. Being part of a distinguished team for remote work guarantees you development in your professional and personal life, since you may be friends with them as you indicated.
3. Work-life balance
Many employees seek flexibility in the implementation of their work and projects. For a number of reasons: it often depends on their personal circumstances and priorities.
One category is parents, who may need to work from home to take care of children or simply to make their day easier when organizing their family routine.
In its survey, FlexJobs found that parents ranked work flexibility and work-life balance as the most important job benefits. Surprisingly, this requirement surpasses even salary and health insurance on the list of priorities they look for in their work style. Flexible work arrangements also help employees manage work-life balance. FlexJobs reports that 97% of more than 3,000 respondents in its 2018 annual survey said a flexible job would have a “significant improvement or positive impact on their overall quality of life.”
4. More productive
Many individuals, when they are allowed to work remotely, are surprised that they are able to produce work of better quality and in a more productive manner due to their control over the work environment around them. A survey in Global Workplace Analytics shows that remote employees in a number of large multinational companies have been shown to be 35–40% more productive than their colleagues in the same location. The report also notes that “two-thirds of employers [surveyed] reported increased productivity among remote workers.”
The reasons for this are wide and varied. First of all, remote work allows the company to select the absolute best candidate for the job, i.e., you are no longer restricted by geographical location.
So, basically, the team that works for you is made up of people who are actually higher quality and more productive. The same flexible working hours also help produce high-quality work. There are definitely fewer distractions when working remotely due to the significantly lower number of people around you, and the freedom of location also allows people to find an environment that is inspiring and made just for them.
Another reason is that you can choose the right times to work when you are at your peak, as the traditional 9-5 work hours may not be the best for everyone, and by working at the times of your choosing, you will see a higher level of focus and productivity. So let’s quickly list the above: by being able to enjoy a better work-life balance, less stress associated with working in the office, and minimal commuting from one place to another, this, of course, creates the ideal conditions for producing better quality work in a shorter period of time.
5. Free from geo-location restrictions
For many of us, responsibilities or family can make the transition to a new job a difficult task, as a large portion of people do not want to do without family ties.
By working remotely, you can work for companies that would previously have been impossible because of where you live.
There are a lot more options for your business when you are looking to work remotely, and that is also true for people who do not want to be tied down in a certain place.
If you like to travel the world and work, remote work would be perfect for you. Some jobs may require you to be available at certain hours to meet certain needs, but you can still work with some people who don’t mind working the same hours while you’re away.
Read also: How do you determine the right field of work for you?
