Remote work was already becoming popular worldwide before the COVID-19 pandemic forced many companies to adopt it as a necessary measure. In a 2018 study, Forbes estimated that 50% of U.S. employees were working remotely. In Europe, the percentage of remote workers has grown from 7.7% to 9.8% over the past decade. 

This flexibility allowing employees to work where they choose, has been adopted across various industries and businesses of all sizes. Despite a decline in the trend over the past couple of years, top companies still provide options for full-time, part-time, or hybrid remote work. Remote work isn't limited to “working from home”—it can be done from any location outside the office, such as a café or a shared workspace.

Nowadays, the pandemic is long behind us, and most companies are pushing for a return to the office. Leases have been renewed, bills have been paid, and rents are skyrocketing again. How fun.

However, two years of mandatory remote work proved no real correlation between productivity and workplace presence. Working remotely holds many advantages for managers and employees alike, and in this article we explore why we, employees and employers, should re-embrace them.

What Is Remote Work?

There are many terms for remote work, such as teleworking, home office, flexible work, off-site work, or location-independent work. But what does remote work actually mean? 

At its core, remote work is a part of the "New Work" concept. It refers to tasks an employee completes entirely online, away from the office. This could be done from home, a co-working space, a train, or even (although very impractical) a beach in Thailand—essentially, any place with a good internet connection can be your base of operation. 

As a "digital nomad," location is irrelevant as long as the work gets done. Employees working fully remote stay connected with colleagues, managers, and team members through tools like email, phone, video conferencing, or platforms like Slack. This setup allows seamless collaboration, irrespective of location.

Each company needs to define its own rules for making remote work possible, whether fully remote or hybrid, and whether it applies to some roles or all. It’s also crucial to ensure that aspects like tracking work hours are managed, often with the help of digital HR tools. A thriving remote work environment should still support opportunities for growth and development.

The Benefits of Remote Working for Employees

The shift to working from home was already gaining momentum over the past decade, but COVID-19 drastically sped up its adoption. Within weeks, remote work became the norm worldwide, and many people have embraced the change! According to a Gallup poll, 59% of U.S. employees who worked from home during the pandemic would prefer to keep working remotely even after it ended. 

Another survey in Switzerland from February 2021 found that 37% of respondents wanted to continue working from home for at least half of their workweek post-pandemic. This was the most popular choice, while only 12% said they would prefer to return to the office full-time. Why? Let’s inspect the benefits of working  remotely work for employers one by one.

Saves Time and Money

Remote jobs have made it easier for many people to achieve a better work-life balance. Not so long ago, the mere idea of working remotely seemed like an impossible task for many companies. Without proper telecommunications technology, employees had to work in the office to complete their tasks and, importantly, to be visible to their managers. It’s a sad truth that sometimes, it’s not about the work you do, it’s about the work your superiors think you do. 

With today’s advancements in WiFi speeds and, lately, satellite connectivity, there is no real reason for employees to be physically monitored by their managers, making a commute largely obsolete (in professions that allow this, of course). The flexibility of remote work allows employees to skip long commutes, giving them more time for themselves and improving their overall work-life balance. 

By working from home, people who live far away from their workplaces can avoid adding unnecessary (unpaid) commuting hours to their day. Not only is this better for their mental well-being (anyone who’s ever had to commute in a city like London knows what we’re talking about), but it also eliminates a significant transportation cost that is, in most cases, not covered by the employer. People have the freedom to choose to live in quieter, rural areas and can enjoy more space and comfort with lower rent, all while avoiding the noise and congestion of city life.

Increased Productivity

Remote work has been linked to increased productivity, but it still raises an important question for managers: “If I can't see my employees working, are they actually working?” 

Trusting employees to stay productive outside the office could be the key to unlocking even higher levels of efficiency. Studies have shown that distributed workforce can be more productive, as they avoid distractions like lengthy commutes and frequent breaks.

A two-year study from Stanford University tracked 500 employees, splitting them into remote and in-office groups. The results revealed that remote workers not only boosted their productivity by the equivalent of a full workday, but they also took fewer sick days.

The office can be full of distractions—chatting coworkers, ringing phones, the hum of printers and the dreaded smell of fish in the microwave—these disturbances can be easily minimized or eliminated when working from home.

Remote Working Gives Employers a Sense of Freedom

The office is not the productivity hub that micro-managers dream about. Data shows that office workers, on average, spend about eight hours a week on non-work activities—whether it’s scrolling social media, online shopping, or handling personal tasks. 

Critics of remote work, like billionaire Elon Musk, often claim that remote workers aren’t fully engaged. Still, the truth is, these same distractions exist in any typical office setting. It’s unrealistic to expect anyone to stay focused for two solid blocks of 4 or 5 hours. The best thing a manager can do is be flexible. 

Within reason, employees should have the freedom to choose where they work, set their own hours, take breaks as needed, and even explore YouTube occasionally. This flexibility results in happier, less stressed employees who are more satisfied with their jobs and more dedicated to their tasks and the company. The best managers prioritize their team's well-being, and when that's taken care of, everything else falls into place naturally.

The Benefits of Remote Working for Companies and Employers

Believe it or not, remote work offers more advantages for companies than for employees. At the end of the day, a bad employee will be a bad employee despite their location. However, there are much more tangible benefits for forward-thinking workplaces that adapt to the new reality.

Remote Work Can Save Companies A Lot of Money

Allowing employees to work remotely can lead to significant savings in operating costs. With lower expenses for office space, furniture, utilities, and other operational costs, companies can redirect those funds toward hiring more staff, investing in new technology or software to streamline workflows, or boosting marketing efforts. 

In addition to reducing office-related expenses, investing the saved funds into company retreats can play a huge role in the employee-business relationship. Retreats offer a mix of work and relaxation that enhances team bonding, communication, and morale. This is where we step in, providing tailored retreat experiences across Europe.

Here at OnsiteHub, we organize retreats designed specifically for remote teams, handling everything from visa requirements to venue selection and cultural considerations. Our experience and local expertise make it easy for companies to bring their teams together without the logistical hassles. Teams can gather in inspiring European locations like the epic landscapes of Croatia, the history-filled streets of Berlin, or the Mediterranean beauty of Italy, all while focusing on goals and boosting productivity.

As happier and more loyal employees tend to stay longer, companies will see a decrease in recruitment, training, and onboarding expenses. This freed-up budget can be better used to develop and upskill your current team.

Some companies find that removing the need for a physical office altogether makes sense when their workforce is remote. This allows them to save on rent, furniture, equipment, and supplies, as well as overhead costs. A notable example is AT&T, which saved $30 million annually just on real estate costs.

Another way businesses can save money through telecommuting is by offering remote work instead of higher salaries. Many employees are willing to trade a raise for the flexibility to work from home. A survey of 350 companies in Switzerland found that 15% of employers expect a shift toward home office work, and as a result, plan to reduce their office space.

According to Global Workplace Analytics, nearly 6 in 10 employers see cost savings as a key benefit of remote jobs. Their savings calculator shows that remote work can save a company up to $11,000 per employee each year. Global Workplace Analytics estimates that about two-thirds of workers choose to work from home, and 36% would prefer that option over a pay raise.

Access to More Talent

Offering remote job options greatly expands a company’s access to talented candidates. Instead of being limited to a local area with higher competition, employers can benefit from a global talent pool. 

Opening a role to remote workers can attract thousands of new applicants with potentially more experience. While a company might still want to limit hiring to certain time zones or within specific regions to simplify logistics, widening the search radius increases the likelihood of finding the ideal candidate.

Besides, remote work has become a major draw for many job seekers. Even before the pandemic, flexible work arrangements were a top priority for many professionals when considering new opportunities. Today, a remote-first company is even more attractive, as many are pushing for a complete RTO (return-to-office). 

Increased Employee Satisfaction

As we mentioned above, a key motivator for employees to seek remote work opportunities is work-life balance. Remote workers rave about reclaiming the time they used to commute, reducing stress, and saving money. Instead, they use this valuable time for things that make them happier: Spending time with friends and family, exercising, reading, cooking or catching up on sleep! 

Studies also highlight that job satisfaction tends to improve with remote work. The main factor is increased autonomy, adding a layer of mental and emotional well-being that benefits both individuals and companies.

The cited study and similar research support the idea that when employees feel more autonomous, they are generally happier and more engaged in their roles. That can result in a stronger and more productive workforce overall.

The Case For Remote Working

According to research conducted by the Harvard Business Review, people working from home reported higher levels of productivity, efficiency, and engagement. That doesn’t always happen because commute times are eliminated. The reasons are many and not always easy to see:

• Proximity means very little when it comes to effective communication. Just because a team is located in the same building, it doesn’t mean they will communicate more. In most cases, face to face time in office environments is kept to a minimum. Usually, communication goes through emails and private messages, even when employees share the same room.
• Remote employees will make the extra effort to connect with co-workers. When you work remotely, no one can see you working. Therefore, remote workers tend to be more attentive to meetings and much more thorough in their reporting.
• Employees are feeling more valued. A company that lets you work from anywhere in the world trusts that you are a responsible professional. More often than not, people appreciate this and are more likely to be more committed to their job.

It may sound counterintuitive, but not being in a loud office all day can help you get more focused and get the work done. The Harvard study revealed that people who weren’t in the same location as their superiors were more productive than their on-site colleagues.

Why Companies are Still Skeptical About Remote Working

Even though remote work and digital nomadism are becoming increasingly popular all over the world, this lifestyle is still viewed with suspicion. Nicholas Bloom, a Stanford University professor, claims that some employers and HR departments are still “deeply skeptical” about it: “They refer to it as ‘shirking from home’ or ‘working remotely, remotely working. They think it means goofing off and watching cartoons,” he added. 

Besides productivity issues, employers might also be apprehensive for security reasons. Using your personal computer increases the risk of data theft and classified information leaks.

It can be quite hard for a company to justify an employee work from home (or become a digital nomad), especially if they’ve never done it before. 

The Challenges of Remote Work

Whether we favor it or not, remote work presents challenges alongside its advantages. There are very real challenges that teams must overcome, and there is a certain level of rapport required for a remote setting to work smoothly. 

Data Protection

Data protection is a valid concern in remote work. There’s always a risk that unauthorized individuals could access sensitive data or platforms. For this reason, employers need to give extra attention to securing their systems and safeguarding information. Ideally, companies should issue their employees with proprietary hardware, to minimize the risk. 

Workload

While remote work is often seen as a way to reduce working hours, the reality can be quite different. At home, the line between work and personal time can blur, leading many employees to respond to emails or take calls outside of regular hours. It is the responsibility of both managers and employees to keep personal lives from blending with work.

Salary Negotiations, Networking, and Career Growth

With less in-person interaction between employees and managers, negotiating raises or advancing in one’s career can become more challenging. Managers may struggle to accurately assess their team's contributions when communication is limited to emails, calls, and video meetings, especially when they've never met face-to-face. This can impact team dynamics and the flow of communication.

Discipline and Time Management

Remote workforce requires a high degree of self-discipline and accountability. To stay productive, remote employees should create a weekly schedule and actively minimize distractions, even if we’re talking about kids or cute pets. Also, whether we like it or not, there will always be people who will slack off instead of working, even though they are not the majority.

Isolation and Lack of a Familiar Environment

Remote work may not be suitable for everyone. While some enjoy the flexibility, others miss the comfort and routine of a traditional office environment. At the home office or on a Mediterranean beach, employees can easily feel isolated, especially if they find it difficult to connect with new people in unfamiliar settings.

To face these challenges, company-wide or team-specific retreats can provide the ideal solution. Annual, half-year, or even quarterly off-sites and retreats allow teams to reconnect and align with the company’s goals in a structured, non-intrusive way. We specialize in creating tailored retreats that link business objectives with team-building activities, fostering genuine connections and a sense of unity.

‍Conclusion

With the pandemic remote work craze firmly behind us, it might be more challenging to find fully remote positions. However, many companies offer hybrid work, with three or fewer days in-office. 

Ready to boost the morale of your remote team? OnsiteHub can help! Our retreats encourage collaboration, spark fresh ideas, and strengthen team relationships, all while keeping your company’s goals in sight. Reach out to the OnsiteHub team to start planning a retreat that can drive success and engagement across your employees!

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