Remote work has been in practice for years, but post-pandemic, the concept of working from home has been highlighted even more and has created a new work environment with a possible set of advantages and disadvantages.
The concept of strict 9 to 5 on-site jobs with a bunch of distractions is long gone and now employees prefer to work in their own space flexibly. The modern workplace demands a stress-free work environment, and remote working is meeting that demand pretty well
In this article, we will thoroughly discuss why remote employees are happier than on-site employees with an in-depth study that will help you understand various perspectives of remote and office workers.
Reasons why remote workers are happier
A recent study by TinyPulse (an employee well-being company) found in their survey that the main reason why remote workers are happier is because they can work anytime they want, and from anywhere they are comfortable.
Let’s take a closer look at the reasons why remote workers are happier than on-site workers.
Individual work habits
The ways and habits of working vary from person to person based on individual preferences. People feel most productive and motivated to complete their work at different times. For some, it is early in the morning, for others it is late at night. Remote work has had a contrasting effect on employees’ work patterns, with some being highly productive while others struggling to find motivation, emphasizing the significant role played by their mindset in determining their output.
It is not ideal for companies now to force employees or expect them to start work at 9 am. Companies that are leading the remote work revolution are providing flexible working hours to satisfy employees’ working styles, give them the flexibility of what works best for them, and yield quality work. Despite this, many managers struggle to trust their team members and are concerned about the overall deadlines and milestones.
There are many different kinds of software available in the market to help and support your employees in their work as well as to enable them to identify their most productive hours and measure productivity. KonarkPro is one of the most useful software when it comes to helping your employees improve productivity and manage their time.
Anywhere around the world
Remote work enables employees to work from anywhere, catering to the preferences of the modern generation, including millennials, who value the flexibility of not being confined to a single workplace every day. By eliminating location restrictions, remote work empowers employees to choose a comfortable and conducive work environment that suits their needs. Furthermore, studies have consistently shown that remote employees experience lower levels of stress and enjoy better mental health compared to their counterparts who work from traditional office settings. Thus, remote work not only provides flexibility but also contributes to the overall well-being of employees.
Personal work environment
A customized work environment has a greater impact on productivity than working in a common office space with other employees. Remote work gives freedom to employees to have their own workspace however they like which will help them focus on their tasks.
Working in the office doesn’t allow the freedom to customize the workspace as it is full of distraction and stress. Employees now prefer to have their own quiet workspace where they can focus on their tasks without any distractions.
This adds up to employees’ mental health and increases productivity.
More productivity and focus
According to the Udemy, workplace distraction report 2018, 80% of employees believe that office distractions and chatty co-workers are the top distractions in a workplace.
Remote employees do not face difficulties with such distractions and they are able to put more focus on their work as compared to in-office employees. There are other types of distractions that remote employees face but they are far more productive and able to generate quality work within the given timeline.
Commute ease
In the US, around 150 million people travel by car and 7.6 million people travel by public transport (Source: U.S Census Bureau). The report also states that the means of transportation does not matter when it comes to stress as traffic jams, delays, or missed trains and buses can affect your mental health in the long run.
Remote employees do not have to commute to their office and spend hours traveling in crowds and noise. Remote work helps prevent this travel fatigue and keeps employees motivated for an extended period of time.
Better work-life balance
According to a survey conducted by flexjobs, 60% of employees stated that they have a better work-life balance when they are working remotely. Office work creates a barrier that affects the personal life of employees, and they hardly tend to give time to their family or hobbies. Whereas, remote work has given employees the opportunity to maintain a perfect balance between work and personal life.
When managers and team members are honest and transparent, then every task can be done a lot more effectively and efficiently even in remote work.
Conclusion
There are so many benefits that remote work holds but it also requires strategized planning to manage the remote workforce effectively to yield desired results, while also ensuring that employees stay happy and motivated with their work.
Employees now have greater expectations from their companies and keeping them happy can help retain them for longer periods
Office employees tend to face many challenges and often feel unsatisfied with the work environment, which eventually affects their mental health.
Adopting a work environment that accommodates diverse working styles and preferences will unlock a different level of innovation for your company, while also resulting in high employee satisfaction.