This is a guest blog and is posted with permission from Nina Cosdon from Nonprofit Mega Phone
With the help of ever-improving technology, working from home is no longer a dream but a reality. But what exactly are remote companies, and why are they different?
Remote companies are typically fully-functioning businesses without a traditional office space. Employees of remote companies are given the opportunity to work where they want, when they want. Even though they may rarely, if ever, meet in person, remote employees are no less cohesive or hardworking. In fact, working remotely offers myriad advantages for bosses, employees, and the company as a whole.
Not Limited By Location
No one likes commuting to work, but it seems to be a necessary evil. In the US, the average person commutes nearly 27 minutes to work each way. In addition to taking an hour out of their day, commuting restricts employees by forcing them to choose jobs relatively close to home. With a remote company, these limiting factors disappear and workers can find their dream job without relocating. Of course, remote companies are also extremely beneficial for employers, as they are able to search the world to hire the best of the best.
More Eco-Friendly
Office buildings require all kinds of resources: electricity, water, heat, and more. Additionally, offices generate a large amount of waste, such as paper clips, staples, and so, so much paper. When you factor in the gas and emissions that accompany commuting, offices become even less sustainable. Remote companies allows bosses to save the planet as well as their money; no physical office building means none of the related expenses. By working for a remote company, employers and employees alike are able to reduce their carbon footprint.
Increased productivity
It may seem counter-intuitive at first, but employees who work from home get more done. No commuting boosts morale and gives workers more time to devote to their job. Employees who need time off for medical or parental leave are able to get back to work much sooner if they are able to do so remotely. The importance of giving workers a sense of freedom cannot be stressed enough. Many jobs force a 9-to-5 schedule that can be monotonous and stifle creativity. However, remote companies recognize that since no two people are the same, everyone has different work habits. Remote employees are free to do their best work when inspiration strikes, which could be right after breakfast or in the middle of the night. They can choose the environment best suited for their individual needs, whether this means working from home, or somewhere public such as a library or coffee shop. This makes employees happy, but has the added advantage of cutting down on the numerous office distractions that detract from productivity.
Retain loyalty of employees
When employees receive benefits like no commute time and the ability to make their own schedule, they become appreciative of their employer. This is because they are given the freedom to fit work into their life instead of the other way around. This gratitude translates into company loyalty! Why look for a new job when they already have the best possible situation?