You might have heard the following comments: “I’d be so unproductive if I worked from home,” “I need human connection,” or “I love office culture.” Sure, working from home might have its cons, but aside from the ability to work in comfortable pants, remote work can boost your mental health, productivity and collaboration.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Innovative Publishing shifted to a primarily remote workforce. Intended as a temporary solution, the benefits of a remote team eventually shined. We found that we could meet our clients’ needs, stay connected and even accomplish more. Working remotely involves some trial and error. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, and it doesn’t work for every company or even every person in a company. However, there are many benefits to being remote that don’t solely revolve around soft pants.
Facts Versus Myths
Myth No. 1: You’re less productive. Fact: Employees are just as, if not more, productive.
Various surveys from companies like Ergotron or Owl Labs have shown a large percentage — 83 percent, in fact — are just as productive or even more so as they are in an office. On average, many remote employees experience less stress, report lower levels of burnout and have fewer distractions. At an office, you can mingle or chat with coworkers. Birthday or holiday parties could take up a chunk of your day. Working at home, you don’t have the added bonus of getting to step away to mingle, and any office party will have one guest — you.
Myth No. 2: You can’t collaborate. Fact: You can create and maintain colleague relationships, even remotely.
We live in a digital world. With communication at the tips of our fingers, it’s not difficult to stay in touch with colleagues. Platforms like Zoom, Teams or Google Meet make it simple and efficient to schedule meetings or touch base. Apps like Slack or Asana keep you in the loop on projects and help you organize. Team building isn’t limited to working in person. Consider implementing monthly games or weekly activities to take breaks and get to know your coworkers.
Myth No. 3: Working remotely costs more. Fact: You’ll actually save money.
It might seem daunting to switch to working remotely, but it will save you money in the long term. You’ll avoid expenses such as rent and utilities, employee relocation fees, office equipment and supplies, and other services. You’ll still need to supply employees with the technology to perform their job remotely; however, you don’t have to worry about additional cost burdens of operating in person. From a hiring perspective, you can also broaden your search outside of your area, without having to worry about relocation fees.
Myth No. 4: Remote work is bad for your mental health. Fact: When done well, remote work can boost your mental health.
Research from the Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI) in California shows both the positive and negative impacts remote work can have. Many employees cited that they’re happier, more productive and more likely to stay with their employer. However, many also cite feeling isolated. If your company doesn’t stay involved with your employees and doesn’t encourage collaboration, this is bound to happen. Yet, when implemented properly, remote work can reap benefits for mental health, allowing for both collaborative and individual work.
Sources:
www.business.com
www.businessnewsdaily.com
www.shrm.org
Still not convinced remote working is right for you? Check out some testimonials from our production staff at Innovative.
“I’ve been an Innovative editor both in the office and remotely. While in the office, I had what I considered an ideal in-person scenario: My own office where I could concentrate and organize my files and supplies just so. Working remotely, I’m able to replicate that with the added benefit of not having a commute. I used to spend over an hour in my car every day. I didn’t have much time in the mornings or energy when I got home to pursue hobbies or have quality family time because sometimes commuting stressed the energy right out of me. Now I can wake up early, work out, cook breakfast, and feel much happier as I start my workday. Instead of feeling like I’ve lost the social aspect, I feel like I’ve gotten to know some coworkers even better because of remote work tools like Slack and Zoom. I feel as productive as I was in the office, and probably more so because I have more energy.”
– Liz Herrera Lauer, Managing Editor, Innovative Publishing
“Remote work has drastically improved my quality of life. I have a stronger work-life balance, especially because I don’t have to spend time commuting, and I’m able to make and eat a fresh lunch every day. I think of the hours of my life I’ve gotten back now that I don’t commute. Remote work is also a huge step for disability and neurodivergent advocacy. I avoid the distractions of the office — and all the discomforts. It allows workers to meet their own needs and work in an environment that is already adapted to their needs rather than relying on the office to grant them accommodations. It’s also been really helpful for my health. I have a weakened immune system, and working from home has allowed me to still work collaboratively with others and be part of a team — but without the risk of catching a bug from a coworker.”
– Rae Howe, Editor, Innovative Publishing
“With remote work, I can take care of things around the house during my lunch break, and I can take care of other responsibilities that crop up. My efficiency at work has increased. When I was working in the office at my old job, I would get distracted easily by coworkers, as they would be talking on the phone, and I could hear the entire conversation. With my remote work situation, I can focus more intentionally on each project and get them done quicker because of it. My mental health has improved dramatically since starting remote work. I don’t get stressed driving in heavy traffic, I’m not worried about driving in bad weather and getting into an accident, and I can customize my environment so it’s the most efficient for my style of work.”
– Emily Gist, Editor, Innovative Publishing
Stay tuned for Part Two to learn tips for staying productive and the best tools for collaboration.
Jessica Sears is an editor at Innovative Publishing. She can be reached at jessica@innovativepublishing.com.
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