Remote work has both advantages and disadvantages for employers and employees. Go through this comparison to see both aspects of this strategy.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought some key changes in how people work. One of the major changes it has caused is work-from-home and hybrid working. Remote working has brought many positive changes to how people work and boosting employee satisfaction. However, there have been some disadvantages too.
Both businesses and employees had to adjust to the remote working model. Hiring procedures and talent acquisition initiatives also had to be reworked to some extent. Many businesses are still trying to adopt remote working practices. Read on to see the advantages and disadvantages of remote work for employees and employers in this blog.
Advantages for Companies
The following are the advantages that make remote working advantageous for employers:
Lower Cost of Utilities
When a company has more employees working from home, the cost of utilities decreases. You don’t have to rent a spacious office to accommodate your remote employees since they are working from home. Also, lesser people coming to the office would mean lower bills for utilities like electricity. So, businesses can lower the burden of operating expenses.
More Job Applicants
Many surveys have shown that employees consider remote working as a top benefit at a job. Job postings with remote work freedom receive more applicants. Also, you have access to a global workforce. Thus, it is easier for businesses to onboard the best talent for the job. It is another reason why many businesses hire remote employees.
Disadvantages for Companies
There are some cons of remote work for businesses too. The following are a few disadvantages of remote work for businesses:
Lack of Company Culture and Team Building
Company culture is one of the reasons why people want to work for a particular company. Employees often love or hate a company for its culture. But when your team is working from home, a company cannot build a community effectively. So, it is a disadvantage for a company working with remote employees.
Productivity Concerns
Another disadvantage for a company hiring a remote team is the fact that the productivity of some individuals may not be up to par in a remote setting. There could be multiple distractions affecting their performance which can potentially delay important processes. It is one of the major reasons why many businesses have been hesitant to embrace remote working.
Advantages for Employees
A few benefits of remote working appealing for employees are mentioned below:
Better Work-Life Balance
One of the main attractions for people to opt for remote work is the work-life balance. An office-based job requires time for commuting and getting ready for work. All these things can consume half of an individual’s day. But when working from home, employees can maintain a better work-life balance. The time saved on the commute can be spent with one’s family or doing things they love.
No Traveling Expenses
Fuel money or the fares of local transport are one of the major expenses an individual has to bear to show up to work every day. When working from home, employees can save these expenses and spend them on other things. It is a major advantage for employees who live miles away from their office. With increasing inflation, the facility to work from home can be a source of relief.
Disadvantages for Employees
There are a few disadvantages an employee should know about remote working as well. Following are a few cons of working from home for employees:
Burnouts
An issue many employees come across when working in a remote setting is facing burnout. Doing tedious tasks in isolation can be quite stressful sometimes. In an office, you can get help from your colleagues in understanding and completing exhausting tasks. But doing the same using collaborating applications can be quite challenging. This isolation and exhaustion from tedious tasks sometimes result in burnout among employees.
Home Office Costs
When working from a home environment, there are many costs an employee may have to bear. Your internet and electricity bills are expected to increase. Also, an employee may have to invest in a workstation if their company does not provide one. Other purchases one may have to make include buying an office chair and a desk. Many employees do not account for these expenses initially.