A recent study suggested that working from home will increase productivity in the US by 5% after COVID-19 restrictions cease. The numbers support that allowing employees to ditch their commute may be good for business.
The average number of post-pandemic work from home days will be four times higher than before the pandemic, some are projecting. While not everyone is on board with virtual office arrangements, companies that supply work-from-home tools, like Zoom, are likely to see the benefits.
Why Working From Home Makes People More Productive
The rapid adoption of collaborative work-from-home tools and technology made remote work more feasible than ever before, and several other factors played into productivity as well.
On average, American workers spent 54 minutes a day commuting. When they went remote, those workers spent about 34% of the time they saved on performing work-related tasks.
When employees no longer needed to drive or take public transportation to the office, they also gained about 30 minutes of sleep, making for well-rested, highly-productive workers.
Additionally, employees commonly report that they are less prone to office distractions when working at their kitchen tables. They also experience a pressing need to produce results when they can’t demonstrate their work ethic just by being present in the office.
With more remote work experience under their belts since the emergency switch to remote, employees are likely to demonstrate even greater productivity going forward. There was undoubtedly a learning curve for tools like Zoom that companies use to support a collaborative workforce. Also, many remote employees struggled to care for children who were remote learning or home because daycare centers closed down at the height of the pandemic. Outside of this high-stress scenario, the gains might be even more impressive.
WFH Projections for the Future
Some major companies are now shifting to predominantly remote work policies. Others are trying hybrid formats. The projected number of days people will work from home will be about 20%, quadruple the 5% from before pandemic-related lockdowns.
Companies already invested in the equipment their remote workers need are in an excellent position to allow for more flexible policies. Additionally, reducing physical office space saves businesses on rent. One analysis indicated companies could save up to $11,000 a year for each person who works remotely just half the time.
There is also a growing incentive to offer hybrid or remote work arrangements because prospective employees are requesting them. The companies that can attract top talent might be those that are hiring remote workers from all corners of the globe.
Businesses Will Only Succeed When Supporting Remote Workers
Working from home can also create certain challenges, and remote workers will need their employers’ support. Businesses that ensure their employees have the tools to thrive in a virtual workplace will benefit from the increased productivity.
Staying connected with remote employees, understanding their diverse needs and setting them up with effective technology that eases their responsibilities can make all of the difference. While many employees prefer being remote, some are likely struggling due to ineffective systems and setups.
Verbit’s solutions are helping corporations support their employees with effective tools, such as live captioning for Zoom meetings and transcription to keep records and notes of all items mentioned on these calls. Verbit’s accessibility solutions, such as offering captions to aid employees with disabilities and others who are participating in virtual events or town halls, are also proving vital to many.
Employees are taking note of the efforts their employers are putting in to ensure they’re supported, which can lead to greater longevity and loyalty to remain at the company. To learn more about our helpful business captioning, transcription, audio description and translation services, contact us.