Are Remote Workers More Productive?- Practical Feedback
Remote work has stepped into the global work culture in the past decade. But it has become prominent during COVID-19. In those days, there was no choice but to go fully remote.
This adoption of remote work has opened new scopes and opportunities. For that reason, organizations are shaping their working model as per their preferences.
It raises the comparison between remote work and office work. Also, a pressing question is: Are remote workers more productive than their office-based counterparts?
Well, the answer remains a mystery. Want to know the details?
Let's explore the rest of the article.
Is remote work better? Glance through the surveys
The concept of "remote work or work from home" is new to modern business. But before the Industrial Revolution, craftsmen, blacksmiths, and other skilled workers worked from their homes. By that time, people used to work on the local periphery. They joined industries and offices.
After the invention of "telecommuting," companies like IBM experimented with small-scale remote work programs. The new millennium opens an era of mobile connectivity and cloud computing. It allows workers to work from anywhere.
Then, COVID-19 turned the working model upside down. Companies have experienced almost all the ins and outs of remote work vs. office work. But the question is still on the air: Is working from home more productive?
Remote work or working from home productivity statistics
To believe something, you need to see what the statistics say about it. Some remote work or working-from-home productivity statistics say it's positive.
Upwork predicts that 22% of the American workforce will shift to remote work by 2025. It cites flexibility and increased productivity as the key reasons for this transition.
Research by the University of Chicago shows 7% higher productivity in remote workers than that of office workers. The use of employee monitoring software can improve productivity as it resolves employer-employee trust issues.
A report by Owl Lab gives insights that 77% of workers hold part-time remote jobs. Also, more are focusing on flexible work arrangements.
Benefits of Remote Work for Productivity
Flexible working hours
Remote workers can set their work schedules to keep pace with company needs. This gives them the proper authority and usability over their work habits, enabling them to work during their most productive time.
Also, they can arrange their working days a week. For example, they can work a 4/10 schedule or 5/8 schedule. They can choose their weekends, too. This flexibility increases employee productivity.
A decrease in commute time
A remote worker doesn't need to commute between home and office. It saves a lot of time. Also, it eliminates the daily stress of a hectic commute. It directly impacts and improves remote workers' productivity.
Small businesses need to avoid wasting time. Remote work enables them to cut down on certain distractions. To manage their time, business owners can use a hybrid work model.
Enhanced work-life balance
Well-balanced people are more productive employees. Remote work integrates work and personal life. It reduces employees' stress and burnout. Employees can be more focused on tasks.
It makes life balanced and happy. Also, it leads to a peak productivity level.
Access to a global talent pool
Remote work breaks location barriers. It allows companies to hire the best brains from all over the world. The blending of multiple cultures and experiences builds a creative and diverse workforce. Therefore, employees feel free to share their innovations and thoughts.
Cost savings for employees and employers
Remote work saves costs for both employees and employers. Costs related to commuting, work attire, meals, office space, overhead expenses, etc. can be greatly reduced. So, companies can reinvest in other resources for better growth.
Health and well-being benefits
Remote work leads to a healthier lifestyle. Employees get more time to sleep and exercise, such as yoga, cycling, etc. They can also ensure better nutrition and an improved eating pattern. Overall, a healthy lifestyle impacts an employee's efficiency.
Reduced absenteeism
As remote employees work from home and there is no requirement for a commute, full-day sick leaves are not required for minor illnesses. This helps reduce absenteeism and ensures more consistent productivity.
Challenges to Productivity in Remote Work
Distractions and Home Environment
Distractions are everywhere, whether in the office or at home. However, there are big differences in the types of distractions in these two spaces.
Most remote employees work from home, so they face household distractions now and then. They also have to perform family responsibilities, such as child care, space sharing, or other duties.
Some people may need more dedicated office space. Some may suffer due to blurred lines between work and personal time. In other words, the work environment needs to be better set up. This can cause a decrease in productivity.
Communication Barriers
Remote work is fully reliable on digital media. However, due to the absence of non-verbal cues, employees may misinterpret the information. They also find meeting the schedules for different time zones is a real challenge.
They have to work harder to keep pace with virtual teams. It's hard to share complex ideas through video calls and texts, and remote work can make workers feel isolated.
Hence, it causes them to lose the bond of a team. They do not get to experience the same vibe in the office.
Lack of Access to Resources
Remote workers may need access to all the resources and support available in a traditional office setup. Inadequate access to resources can be a huge challenge while you work on an emergency. Many workers may need a proper office setup and better tools.
Furthermore, slow internet can cut off underserved areas from their communication lines. It may cause delays in file transfers, meetings, and presentations.
Management and Supervision Challenges
The remote work setup has several challenges for management or supervision. Managing a remote team is way harder than managing an office team. There is no face-to-face interaction, monitoring, evaluation, or cohesiveness of the team or company culture.
Moreover, managers need more technical and logistical resources to make quick decisions. They need to trust the remote employees. Therefore, continuous training, skill development, and virtual meetings are important to establish a supportive environment for remote work.
Difficulty in Separating Work and Personal Life
The perk of remote work may backfire on some workers, making it difficult to balance work and life. It blurs the line between personal and professional spaces.
As work overlaps with personal time, it increases stress and burnout. This may encourage distraction, decreased focus, and productivity.
Another problem that one may face is the disruption of one's daily routine. A remote worker must be confident enough to maintain his schedule. Also, it may adversely affect mental health through feelings of isolation and emotional exhaustion.
How to be productive working from home?
Work-from-home productivity depends on some factors. If you can maintain those things, you can minimize the challenges. To be productive at home, apply these tips below.
Organize your home office
Choose a quiet, comfortable spot in your home that minimizes household distractions. This can be another room or just an area of your living space. Keeping the workspace away from high-traffic areas will help you stay focused and more productive. Use an adjustable chair and a desk that provides good posture to avoid strain and discomfort during long hours of work.
Also, consider implementing a standing desk or ergonomic keyboard and mouse for added comfort. You can place your desk near the window, as this maximizes the natural light. It could be very appreciated to boost your mood and energy.
Use task lighting via desk lamps to light up your immediate workspace during the darker hours of the day. Keep your desk organized and clutter-free.
You can use storage solutions like shelves, drawers, and file organizers. Keep all the cords and wires organized and out of the way using cable management tools.
Set realistic routines
The real productive move for him is to create a realistic routine and be consistent with it. With proper planning of work hours and prioritizing tasks, he could make the most of remote work.
Choose your working hours when you are most productive. Be it early in the morning or late at night, when you feel sharp. Share your work time with family members or roommates to minimize distractions.
Let your colleagues know when you'll be working to reach you and when you'll be available for collaboration. Utilize digital tools to keep track of your schedule and set reminders for important tasks or meetings.
You can apply methods for maintaining your energy level without burning out. During each pause, stand up from your computer to refresh both your mind and your body. You can also take a small walk, stretch yourself, or just go into another room and sit down.
Minimize distractions
Distraction management requires physical, mental, and digital strategies. Minimizing distractions in remote work requires a combination of these strategies.
Designate a clear area in your house used solely for work. Organize the place with the necessary fittings. Have a visible schedule of when one is available, allowing family members to recognize time allocations.
Set an achievable goal and try to complete it. You can apply focus-boosting methods like the Pomodoro technique, the Eisenhower matrix, etc.
To minimize digital distractions, use website blockers to limit distractive sites. You should manage your apps on your device and turn off the notifications. You can use time and productivity tracking apps like Apploye. Also, some task management and to-do list management apps should be used to increase efficiency.
Maintain effective communication
The growth rate of remote teams heavily depends on effective communication and collaboration. As you work fully remotely, you need to be proactively responsive to your team members and employers.
Schedule regular video meetings on platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams to set up a network of face-to-face interaction. This enhances understanding among people. Use chat applications like Slack or Microsoft Teams for instant messaging.
Create channels for several projects that will allow formal and informal interactions. You can also add some virtual team-building activities to facilitate bonding and a feeling of team spirit.
Foster a positive mindset and practice self-care
A positive mindset and self-care are essential for remote workers to maintain mental fitness and productivity.
Sometimes, working remotely may make workers feel isolated, burned out, or have higher stress levels. It results in blurred work-life boundaries and reduced social interaction.
By developing a positive attitude, remote workers become resilient to challenges and maintain motivation. This attitude helps them approach problems more positively, improving creativity and problem-solving.
Final words
Overall, whether home workers are more productive than those working in the office varies. Distractions are everywhere, so to deal with them, the measures are also different.
Remote work gives you that much flexibility and independence, but it also gives you the responsibility to maintain your work independently.
To gain all the perks of remote work, be proactive in dealing with challenges. Also, consistent practices in routines are the key to productivity while working from home.