Tag Archive for: work from home

How Remote Work is Reshaping the Workplace

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Throughout the pandemic, hundreds of thousands of employees around the U.S. transitioned to working from home. In many cases, this was necessary to prevent the spread of disease. Now that the worst of COVID-19 is behind us and cities and states are starting to relax restrictions, employers are seriously considering the benefits of offering this option in the future.

When employees work remotely, operating costs go down. Businesses can downsize, or in some cases completely eliminate, their office space. Even organizations that choose to keep their existing office space pay less for electricity and other utilities when a portion of their staff stays home.

It’s not just employers that benefit when employees work remotely. Employees that work from home experience less stress and greater satisfaction in their work. This can lead to better performance and improved productivity. Research from Stanford University found that employees that work from home are 13% more productive than in-office workers.

Employees Want Flexible Work Options

Employers still considering whether they should allow employees to continue working remotely should consider the possible implications of bringing employees back to the office full-time. A recent survey found that 65% of employees would like to work as full-time remote employees. Another 31% would prefer a hybrid work environment and 54% of office workers would leave their job for another that offers flexible work time.

Businesses Relocating to Save Money

Until recently, businesses have set-up headquarters in densely populated cities. This often comes with a high price tag. Today, organizations are realizing the benefits of relocating to smaller, more affordable areas. This lowers the cost of living for employees and allows business owners to take advantage of lower taxes. Allowing employees to work remotely enables companies to further reduce their costs and may allow for the elimination of corporate headquarters entirely.

Companies that decide to re-open offices in expensive areas run the risk of losing valuable employees. Many people cannot afford the cost of living in major cities. Another issue, commuting to and from work costs employees a lot of time and money. With remote work becoming more common, companies that do not offer flexible work options will have a hard time attracting talent and retaining employees.

Conclusion

As we all begin to adjust to life post-pandemic, it’s important for employers to consider the changing needs of their staff. Offering flexible options may mean the difference between success and failure in the near future.

An experienced employee benefits firm, MEBO helps employers create customized benefits plans. Please contact us for information about our services.

How Employers Can Support Employees Working from Home

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According to Upwork, an American freelancing platform, 41.8% of the American workforce currently works from home. It’s estimated that around 26.7% of these remote workers will not return to the office this year. By 2025, it’s expected that 36.2 million Americans, or 22% of the entire American workforce will be working from home. This represents an 87% increase in the number of remote workers since before the pandemic.

Although working from home provides a convenient option for many employees, it creates challenges as well. Employees working from home can feel disconnected from the workplace. It’s crucial that employers do all they can to keep company culture alive and support employees working from home. This not only benefits the employee, but the organization as a whole. When employees feel supported and connected to company culture, they become more productive.

Flexible Hours

Many employees find it difficult to balance their work and personal life when working from home. Allowing employees to set their own hours puts them in control. Offering flexible hours allows employees to make the most of their day and work around other schedules. This soft benefit costs employers absolutely nothing but provides significant benefits.

Face-to-Face Time

Employees are happier at their jobs when they get along well with their co-workers. A study conducted by Gallup, an American analytics and advisory firm, found that work friendships boost employee satisfaction by as much as 50%. Another study found that women that have a best friend at work are 63% more likely to engage fully in their work.

While many employers understand the importance of friendships and comradery in the workplace, working from home doesn’t create the type of environment where employees can foster friendships. Employers can encourage employees to stay connected through regular face-to-face meetings in-person or over video conferencing software. To ensure the best results, employers need to keep these sessions purely social.

Health Insurance Benefits

Many employees worry about paying for medical expenses for themselves and their loved ones. This is especially true now, as COVID-19 continues to threaten the health and safety of Americans. Offering employees health insurance benefits ensures employees receive the care they need. This can reduce stress and make employees more satisfied with their job.

Lifestyle Benefits

In addition to health benefits, many employers have started offering lifestyle benefits to remote workers as well. Popular benefits include gym memberships, fitness-related expense reimbursements, education, and childcare. Employers often choose to provide a monthly allowance for employees to use to pay for certain expenses.

Employee Benefits Specialists

Employers have a lot to consider when deciding how best to support their employees. MEBO works directly with employers to help them develop a comprehensive employee benefits plan that fits their needs and budget. Please contact us to schedule a consultation.