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Five Reasons to Encourage Your Employees to Work from Home


Posted: 23rd June 2020 11:33

Working from home has become increasingly popular in recent years due to advances in technology and communications. The days of having to physically travel to be in the same workspace as all of your colleagues are over for a lot of companies. The trend towards home working has been rapidly accelerated by the current pandemic, with workers all over the world encouraged to work from home by governments and their employers.
 
Of course, not every business can operate using a home working model – for industries such as hospitality, working from home is not viable. However, for most businesses working from home is becoming increasingly efficient. Even if you cannot fully abandon the office, it may be worth considering encouraging your employees to work from home more frequently and to save commuting to the office for circumstances where face-to-face meeting is beneficial.
 
Here are five of the most notable reasons why business owners should encourage their employees to work from home more often, even after the end of the current coronavirus pandemic.
 
Lack of Commuting
 

One of the most obvious benefits of working from home is that there is no need to commute to work! Removing the daily commutes saves time and money for employees (and for business owners if they pay travel expenses to their employees). Reducing the use of transport also has positive effects on the environment and on traffic congestion levels.
 
You Can Work with Anyone Regardless of Location
 
When hiring employees to work in a traditional office, your search will most likely be hugely narrowed down by having to employ people who live within commuting distance of the office. When using a working from home model, you can hire the best people for the job even if they live a long way from the office. With good internet connection and an efficient VOIP system, you can communicate with employees anywhere in the world. Apps like Ringcentral, this Ringcentral review provides more information, allow you to easily set up an effective VOIP system.
 
Save Money on Office Supplies
 
Even if you provide your employees with company laptops, mobile phones, or other equipment for them to use from home, you will still likely make considerable saving on office supplies like furniture and stationery. Things like coffee and snacks can also cost money in some offices.
 
Increased Productivity
 
Studies have shown that employees’ productivity is actually higher when working from home. This may be due to a reduction in distractions that come from a traditional office space, such as co-workers’ conversations and unnecessary meetings.
 
Fewer Sick Days
 
Many sick days are taken by workers not because they are unable to carry out the work, but because they feel unable to commute or to be in an office environment. Ill employees also often take sick days to avoid spreading illness around the office. There are many cases where employees are too sick to come into work, but are still able to carry out tasks from the comfort of their own home. Working from home reduces the number of sick days taken and saves the company money.