What Is Remote Work?

Remote work is becoming more commonplace around the world. Although working from outside of a company office has been possible for decades, working remotely is now becoming more normal.

You may have overheard someone say: “I'm working from home now!” or “I work while I travel!”. You smile as you listen to them brag about their lifestyle versatility and the advantages they've seen in their personal & work lives as a result of their ability to work remotely, but you're full of questions.

 

What Is Remote Work?

Remote work is a way of working that encourages workers to work outside of a typical office setting. It's based on the premise that work shouldn't have to be performed in an office in order to be successful.

Think of it like this: instead of driving to an office every day to work from a single desk, remote workers can finish tasks and achieve their deadlines anywhere they want. People have the right to schedule their days in such a manner that both their work and personal life will prosper while coexisting peacefully.

A societal paradigm change has occurred (accelerated by the Covid-19 epidemic) in what culture considers to be an acceptable workplace, and remote work has benefited from this newfound independence.

 

How Do Employees Work Remotely?

People will function from home in a lot of different ways. That's why becoming a remote employee is great: You can choose how to work based on your personal circumstances.

For example, certain people might be able to work from anywhere they please for the majority of the week, but have to go to the workplace one day every week for meetings. In an average day, these remote workers work from home, coworking spaces, or local cafés, but they can still work from the corporate office if needed.

Others depend on coworking spaces to help them get their work done. Coworking spaces serve as centres of productivity, culture, and tech, providing excellent network opportunities to encounter people from a variety of fields. Freelancers, full-time workers, and business people looking to rent out office space for their employees will use them. You might also call coworking spaces a hybrid between a conventional workplace and an unconventional workspace, providing you with the ease of working from home but still providing technical amenities and networking opportunities. If remote workers use a coworking space in their home city or join a coworking group with locations all over the world, they profit from the ease of being able to work from anywhere.

Some remote employees make the most of the advantages that a flexible work schedule provides. Some remote workers want to put their conventional habits aside and hit the road, in addition to being able to set their own schedules and work while they are most active or inspired. They take their remote work to various countries around the globe, either by work and travel services or DIY travel plans, in order to extend their perspectives, get a better understanding of the world, and broaden their network.

 

Why Do People Even Work Remotely?

You may be wondering if you should become a remote employee now that you know what it is and how people do it every day. Why would anyone want to work outside of a traditional office setting, and why would their employer allow it?

Workers and managers alike benefit from remote jobs, which ranges from higher efficiency to happier, healthy employees. Let's look at some of the benefits in more detail:

 

HOW REMOTE WORK BENEFITS WORKERS

Convenient lifestyle

People choose to work remotely for a variety of reasons, the most significant of which is that it allows them to live a more relaxed lifestyle. Remote workers will concentrate on the activities that matter to them away from the office when they aren't expected to be at the office at a set time. If a remote employee is also a mother, she may start work early in the day to be there when the kids come home from school, or take time throughout the day to tend to other responsibilities. A remote worker who wishes to further their knowledge in their profession is another possibility. A remote employee might study for a Master's degree or take a continued education program throughout the day and work at night, so they aren't bound by a rigid timetable as they would be in a conventional office.

 

Better mental health and wellness

Employees who work outside of the traditional office are less depressed. They also have better productivity than people who work in one. According to a study conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health in the United Kingdom, 55 percent of commuters reported feeling more tired as a result of their drive. Employers develop less stressed employees by removing the drive. It also helps allowing remote workers to work in an environment that they are familiar with. Consider the following data: According to a 2014 analysis by PGi, 69% of remote employees reported lower absenteeism than non-remote staff. Workers did not feel compelled to miss work unless there was a valid excuse. So they were committed and centered on their work rather than frustrated or pressured. Employees that are happier overall are more loyal to their employers.

 

Renewed passion for the work

Employees who work remotely are more likely to do their best work outside the workplace. They are more influenced by their environments, and they have the ability to filter out environmental disturbances when required. In reality, the ability to work remotely alone gives remote employees a fresh outlook on their employment. They see it as a motivator or an incentive for their hard work, and they're inspired to keep exceeding their expectations in order to maintain the lifestyle they've grown to enjoy.

 

HOW REMOTE WORK BENEFITS EMPLOYERS

Greater Efficiency

The improved efficiency that comes with remote work is one of the most common reasons for it. In contrast to conventional office workers, remote workers are more willing to put in extra hours in their work to get it done. 65 percent of full-time workers assume that working remotely will improve efficiency, according to the State and Work Productivity Report, and their bosses approve. Two-thirds of the managers polled said their remote staff improved their total efficiency.

 

Lower expenses

Employees that work from home are also beneficial to a company's finances. When a team is completely divided, businesses can save money on things like leasing and office equipment, resulting in lower overhead. To bring the information into context, according to Flexjobs, employers will save $22,000 a year per remote employee, even though their whole workforce is not remote.

 

Active employees

Employers provide remote job options to keep their workers comfortable and motivated. This is in addition to better profit margins and higher-quality, more productive work. Remote work isn't just a fad for employee engagement; nearly 75% of employees polled in a Softchoice survey said they'd leave their current job for one that allowed them to work from home. That's something that can dampen the interest of managers who want to keep their best employees. Another example: according to a TINYpulse poll, remote workers were satisfied and felt more respected in their roles than non-remote workers.

 

What Are Some Inaccuracies About Remote Work?

Although remote work is becoming increasingly common, there are still some misconceptions about this style of work. The following are the ones we encounter the most:

 

REMOTE EMPLOYEES STRUGGLE COMMUNICATING

It's accurate that remote workers aren't necessarily involved in sessions. They aren't involved in water cooler banter or happy hour get-togethers. However, their ability to stay linked to the squad and excel at work more than makes up for it. As a remote worker, video calls are the easiest way to schedule meetings. This is because they serve as a reminder that all sides are human and enable team members to form relationships. Remote workers are self-starters by default. So they go out of their way to over communicate project statuses, any challenges they may be encountering, and to congratulate other team members.

 

REMOTE EMPLOYEES ARE “ALWAYS ON”

This is a worry shared by both remote workers and their employers. Staff members enjoy working remotely because it helps them to set their own hours. Not because it allows them to work around the clock. Employers still don't want remote staff to work nonstop for fear of burning out and losing interest in their work. It's crucial to find out the hours a worker can expect to be available and what times in the day are more flexible at the outset of a remote work agreement. In addition to establishing availability requirements, remote teams can establish consistent connectivity goals and improve communications networks for their members.

 

REMOTE EMPLOYEES DON’T EVEN WORK

We've heard this before! A misconception about remote employees is that they lie in bed all day in their pajamas. These people believe remote workers work sometimes but not to the same extent as someone in the office. We just know this isn't the case. We've seen a range of styles among remote employees in our time with them. Those who get up super early for a walk, shave, and stay put for a day of concentrated creation. We've also seen those who get ready for the day as if they were going to an office environment, polished outfit and all. What we do know is that remote employees get the job done.

 

How Can I Work Remotely?

Are you sold on this way of life? It's very enticing. The thought of waking up and living your life according to your individual and career ambitions, as well as your habits and preferences, seems almost too sweet to be true.

Here are several steps you should take to begin living a remote employee lifestyle:

 

IF YOU’RE A FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE AT A COMPANY WITH A CORPORATE OFFICE:

You have the chance to become a remote employee!

‍What is a remote employee?

A remote worker is somebody who works for a corporation but does not work in a typical office setting. Working at a nearby coworking place, from home, at a coffee shop, or in another city around the world is all feasible.

This is a multi-step procedure that can not be undertaken without careful consideration. You'll need to think about your current career, and your working style. You'll also need to hold in-depth talks with your employer about how working remotely could help you and your team. To keep your boss interested, you'll need to develop a well-researched case that is unique to your position in the company and use negotiation skills. No need to panic, you won't be on your own. We'll teach you how to make the transition to working remotely, whether it's for a week or a year.

 

Are You A Freelancer?

Congratulations for being in the right place to operate remotely! Consider your customer base and if you ought to be present for face-to-face sessions. Consider a trial phase of working remotely if you believe more than 80% of your work can be completed virtually. Start with one week and work your way up to longer periods of time that are manageable for both you and your clients.

 

Are You An Entrepreneur?

Working remotely could be a perfect choice for you if you're an inspired pioneer and self-starter. Consider if your business needs a physical location before diving headfirst into a remote working lifestyle. A salon owner, for example, would find it difficult to operate remotely. But it'd be easier for an online fitness coach. When you've evaluated the advantages and risks, take the gamble – and imagine getting your squad along for the ride!

In the professional community, remote work is still a very recent phenomenon. Old issues like connectivity and efficiency monitoring have been eliminated as technology advances at a higher pace than ever before. More businesses are looking into providing online work as an alternative for their workers. Look at how working remotely could benefit you if you choose to live a more convenient lifestyle or try a different way of thinking about personal and professional development.

 

Remote Jobs

Working remotely is becoming more popular in a variety of sectors as technology advances. Remote employment can be found in virtually every field. From those that you'd anticipate (tech, freelancing, etc.) to those that are a little more interesting (education, healthcare, law). There's never been a great time to study your prospects if you're searching for a remote career. To start your quest, you can browse the remote jobs we have listed. You never know what opportunities can present themselves!

We're excited to see what you'll be able to accomplish once you're able to live life on your own terms.