Impacts on Businesses Resultant from ‘Work from Home Shifts’

Sep 20, 2024

WFH? Remote work? Hybrid-Work? Part-time, in-between, here and there. The list is extensive, and it becomes difficult to differentiate between all of these concepts and their definitions. They all involve and mean the same thing: you are employed, you possess a contractual job, but it is all going on from the comfort and privacy of your home.

In technical terms, remote work involves a ‘flexible working arrangement’ in which an employee serves their employer, and completes varied stipulated tasks and responsibilities outside of that company or business’s geographic demarcations or offices. The idea can be applied to any position, be it part-time or full-time, and comes with its own requirements from employees, such as accountability, stability in network connection and respect of company allocated property.

Working from home comes with a lot of benefits for both parties. Some examples include facilitating a work-life balance, and ‘employee satisfaction and retention, increased productivity and cost savings’. It becomes beneficial for businesses alike to have their employees carrying out work remotely. However, there has been a significant re-shaping of various businesses and industries due to shifts from on-site to remote work. There are furthermore different impacts on the health and well-being of employees if a realistic balance is not set in both instances.

How has the idea of Working from Home Evolved?

Remote work is not something that is entirely new to us, but from the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, it became something that was increasingly common across various industries, especially the corporate sector. Businesses realised that their employees were far happier and productive when given flexibility in their schedules, day-by-day routines and deadlines. As such, shifts to an online or remote mode became the norm, business owners and corporate leaders started to realise that not everything required an in-person meeting; a conference call or well-written email could simply complete the job.

In fact, driving to the office every day through traffic, leaving home when its dark, and returning home in the dark has seen a decline in employee happiness and contentment in the workplace. The results of working from home have therefore been mutually beneficial for both parties concerned. Amidst the benefits, there are some sectors that are not as welcoming of this shift, nor are they geared towards the idea of shifting; this mainly being due to the overall decline and inconsistency in the quality and production of work from employees.

Divergent Attitudes to the Phenomenon

The rise in popularity of working from home has resulted in many against the idea, and many advocating for it, and pushing for its continuity and establishment in the workplace. There are many pros and cons allocated to the idea. The pros do however, outweigh the cons, and they work in favour of both the individual worker, and for the related business and industry they may be working in.

What are the potential benefits for employees?

Whilst working from home may present a difficulty in setting clear boundaries with superiors, and colleagues, it assists immensely in setting up positivity and longevity in your overall attitude towards others, and work ethic.

Comfortability: the existence of a personalised and private workspace can actually assist in stimulating productivity.
Flexibility: through working from home, we can organise other elements of our lives, and dedicate and make the time for those aspects. A better work-life balance can be facilitated.
Preserving of expenses: a preservation of costs for professional work clothing and petrol occurs.

Stimulated productivity: people spend less time commuting in traffic, getting ready in the morning, and wasting time in between meetings grabbing a coffee or buying snacks. Instead, they can easily manoeuvre themselves from one task or meeting to another in seconds.

What are the possible advantages for employers?

For the employer, too, there may be some shortfalls with no direct or immediate access to their employees. Communications expectations increase, with an inevitable delay in turnaround, progressions, and the setting of deadlines. There is also the issue of a diminishing talent density, where workplace routines, culture of productivity and quality of work may start to decline. The inevitable sacrifice of the above, as miniscule as they may be, is all worth it when considering some incredible benefits:

Cost effectiveness: there is the reduction of office overheads such as supplies and resources.

Worker happiness and satisfaction, ensuring a retention of employees and gradual improvement in quality of work.

Broader reach in employee demographics: employees do not necessarily need to be bound to the office space, and as such, can be working from anywhere in the world. This makes the pool of employees bigger, reaching extensive geographic locations.

How has Remote Work Reshaped Industry?

Amidst the onset of remote work, and its many benefits and perks for businesses and workers alike, there have also been changes in the operations, goals and objectives set out by businesses, and between industries who are continually competing.

The question therefore arises on whether working remotely benefits business growth, profitability, and longevity. Research shows that, ‘increased agility and flexibility of remote work can help companies respond more quickly and effectively to market changes, giving them a competitive edge’. Thus, there is the possibility of businesses thriving, producing significant return on investment and promoting longevity through adopting this mode.

Overall, the shift to working from home has worked out for the better, for everyone. The pros definitely outweigh the cons, and results have shown that it is indeed possible to have a work-life balance, manage industries where employees are happy, satisfied, and willing to put in the additional work. Longevity and productivity are guaranteed!