09 Jul 2024

Employee Benefits Of Working Remotely Or Flexibly

The work revolution brought about by Covid, giving rise to hybrid working or remote working, has also seen the emergence of the new type of employee. Men and women all over the UK and abroad are fighting for their rights to work remotely or flexibly. A recent study by Leadership-IQ found that 59% of employees say their work-life balance improves when they're able to work from home, while only 9% of remote workers want to work “in the office” all the time. From a management perspective, global research by Steelcase reports that 87% of leaders around the world expect to allow people more choice in where and how they work (a 38% increase from April 2020). It is important for the employee to nurture a deep understanding of what it means to work in such a flexible environment and to maximise productivity and enhance wellbeing.

WORK ANYWHERE, ANYTIME

The biggest change with home working or flexible working is that of working anywhere, anytime. The employee no longer works to a set timetable of 9 to 5 and is no longer tied to an office. For international teams, this can hugely benefit early risers or late night owls in their working patterns. There is less use of company equipment and more use of the employee's own device. The right collaboration technologies and document storage system are set in place, with enhanced emphasis on cyber security, accessibility and user permission levels.

With the right training in security awareness e.g. malware, leak data, or phishing emails, staff can really enjoy the enhanced work/life balance created by home working or hybrid working. Less time is spent on unnecessary commutes and crazy jugglings of work and life tasks e.g. school runs and domestic chores. More time is spent with family and friends or within the home environment if one wishes.

The remote working or hybrid working employee can also be part of a team and access and share files as well as communicate with fellow team members or managers when they want. Sharing of files and real-time communication among geographically dispersed employees are made possible with Cloud computing: Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom or Google Hangouts are the most popular tools. Messaging each other is made easy.

Staff can use any device, including mobile ones to keep updated on work. Those who prefer less storage on their laptops can use the Chromebook, a laptop with just enough local storage and power to run Chrome OS (which turns the Google Chrome browser into an operating system). It doesn't have much local storage and is quite light, making it easier for transportation to local cafes or co-working spaces if the employee feels inclined this way. The employee can work at a more leisurely pace, in a less corporate environment.

CUSTOMISED WORK, WELLBEING AND ADAPTIVE LEARNING

Staff can focus less on inputs and more on outputs instead. The old 9-to-5 mindset about clocking hours gives way to a new focus on productivity. Tasks can be automated e.g. sales, marketing, finance or operations, leaving the employee more time to deal with core competencies and more fulfilling tasks at work. Work can become more customised and creative. The new wave employee can discuss work styles and targets with his/her manager from an enriched standpoint.

Staff wellbeing is favoured in the new hybrid or home setting as there is less stress working to negotiated targets and outputs instead of rigid inputs. Focus is on productivity. Working in a familiar setting can also bring about a feeling of calm and peace.

The new wave employee is also happy to embrace adaptive learning instead of mere textbook knowledge. He or she will have better time management skills and learn to apply knowledge to various original situations. Better self-awareness will bring about better productivity. Staff training can be delivered via collaboration technologies including intranets, YouTube videos and Microsoft Teams for example. Learning will become more democratised.

COST CUTTING EXERCISE

Working at home or in a hybrid setting, the employee can also cut down costs on petrol or general transport as well as packed lunches, work clothes and ad hoc pub lunches. This cost-cutting exercise can be useful in current times, with inflation hitting us hard.

At Associate Planet, a boutique IT and technology consultancy, we listen to and understand how to make your employee feel valued at work, with the right work approach and the right technology. We have been working in a flexible, hybrid and international environment for a couple of decades. We work together with you to find the right solutions for a productive and happy business. Why not contact us for an informal chat and decide on your custom hybrid or remote work strategy? Call Richard on 07831 196534 or email [email protected].

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