Embracing a Modern Workstyle
Remote working is probably COVID-19’s biggest legacy! Before the pandemic, roughly 5% of full-time employees worked from home. After offices and businesses were shut down as precautionary measures to the spread of the virus, the number hiked up. As of 2022, 16% of companies in the world are 100% remote and 44% of global companies are completely against remote work. 37% of employees are reportedly more productive when they work from home. How true is this? Does working from home really increase productivity? Or would a hybrid model be more effective?
How Working from Home Increases Productivity
One thing that employers do not seem to understand is that remote work in 2020 is not the same as remote work in 2023. Pandemic remote work was a rush job, and most employees were not prepared for the implications of working from home. Most employers seem to think that employees would be less productive when working from home. However, research has proven this wrong. Here’s why.
- Remote workers work longer hours. Research has shown that remote workers tend to spend more time clocked in than regular office workers. In fact, a lot of remote workers have spent their weekends finishing off their workload. For full-time employees, the extra hours could add up to 193 hours per year.
- Remote workers have a better work-life balance. This is because remote workers have the option to choose more flexible work hours and can therefore spend more of their time on social events and hobbies, such as festivals and online gambling.
- Remote workers have less stress. Working from home means workers can choose the hours they are working. This reduces the pressure on them and eventually increases their productivity rates. A study showed that a number of employees reported being less stressed working from home compared to when they worked at the office.
How Employees Can Improve Productivity Working from Home
Although remote work is reportedly reducing employee stress and anxiety, there is no doubt that this can never completely dissipate. Balancing work life and mental health is essential for remote workers to be even more productive. Here are some tips that could help them maintain a fair work-life balance.
- Following a schedule. For remote workers not to lose track of time and slack in fulfilling their duties, experts recommend that they maintain a schedule, just like they did in the office. Work and hobbies should be kept separate from each other.
- Take breaks. Studies have shown that remote workers take fewer breaks than regular workers. However, according to experts, the most effective way for remote workers to remain productive is by taking breaks. These workers could take breaks to meditate, call a friend, or visit this site to play some exciting casino games.
- Get rid of distractions. Now that remote work has evolved so much, workers have more optimized work conditions in their homes. Experts recommend that they avoid places in their homes that could distract them. For example, someone who suffers from stress eating should avoid the kitchen and they should have a dedicated work area.
- Make a to-do list and follow it. The key to being more productive is knowing what exactly you want to do. The last thing workers want is to jump from task to task with no clear objective. Open communication with colleagues and collaborators is also extremely important as it helps clear things up.
The Downsides of Working from Home
As life would have it, working from home can have some disadvantages as well. Here are some downsides.
- Human beings are essentially social creatures. Working from home reduces interactions with coworkers and collaborators and can eventually be a source of demotivation.
- Working from home can increase the potential for burnout. Differentiating between work and personal life is not always easy, especially not for newer employees.
- Working from home reduces employee access to essential work equipment, such as desks and fax and photocopy machines.
Remote Work: The Future?
Overall, remote work is much better for productivity, according to research. However, just like everything else in life, there is a much-needed balance. Experts suggest that what works best is a hybrid model that combines remote and office work, depending on the level of collaboration needed. This could be a way for us to maximize the benefits, while minimizing the downsides of working from home.
