Telecommuting, also known as teleworking or remote working, is a global professional trend on the rise across businesses large and small. In fact, studies show that 70 percent of people globally work from home at least once per week. Factors like the cost of child care, chronic health problems, lengthy commute times and distracting environments are driving more employees to pursue flexible work options.
And, with the number of U.S. workers who work at least 50 percent from home or another remote location growing by 115 percent from 2005 to 2015, this trend is one to watch in 2019 and in the years to come.
Here’s what it means for your business:
1. Increased productivity: Allowing employees to work remotely helps them to avoid hectic commutes and distracting work environments.
Without the interruptions that come with a traditional office setting, telecommuting increases employee efficiency and provides workers with the opportunity to use time more efficiently to get work done while balancing their everyday lives. Cloud storage, video conferencing and other smart office solutions are keeping teams connected and well-resourced from afar, allowing for seamless collaboration.
2. Talent recruitment: You are no longer limited in your employee recruiting to the surrounding area. With teleworking as an option, you can attract top talent regardless of location.
3. Talent retention: Employees who feel they have a flexible work environment and the ability to eliminate distractions are generally more inclined to stay with a company long term. Several studies link telecommuting options not only to increased productivity, but also to improved employee satisfaction and loyalty.
4. Overhead savings: Working remotely allows employers to save on office space costs, supplies and janitorial services. And, services like Comcast Business’ Cloud Solutions help teams share information, sync schedules, process important documents and back-up everything in realtime without needing to be onsite, streamlining processes to help cut costs.
While there are many benefits for employers and employees when it comes to telecommuting, there are a few considerations to make before offering this perk to your workforce.
1. Isolation: To avoid excessive distance or feelings of isolation with remote workers, virtual meetings and webinars can provide opportunities for team interaction from different locations. Versatile phone services, such as Comcast Business’ VoiceEdge, keep employees in touch with ease. Features like online voicemail and digital portals make sure messages are never missed, and one-click conferencing capabilities provide instant access to host or join meetings. Occasional in-person meetings for holiday parties or training sessions can help as well.
2. Accountability: It’s important to put certain measurements in place to monitor performance and accountability for remote workers. Through daily contact or activity reports, you can ensure employees are completing their work in a timely manner.
As the future of the workforce evolves, look out for trends like this that benefit not only your business, but also your employees’ wellbeing. Keep up with the latest trends and resources from Comcast Business at cbcommunity.comcast.com.
This article was written by Comcast Business.