The Future of Remote Work
The shift in the way we work is unstoppable. We're all becoming digital nomads, freelancers, and entrepreneurs with a laptop and an idea. Companies have realized this and have taken action by bringing remote offices to their team members. The way we work is changing fast. More and more people are becoming independent workers and the trend is only growing. Individuals and companies alike have realized this trend and taken action by implementing remote work policies.
Remote work is changing. This may come as a shock to people who have been in the workforce for a few decades and remember life before the Internet. Or it may be no surprise to millennials who grew up with internet from day one. Either way, though, remote work is facing some shifts that are both exciting and troubling at the same time.
What Has to Change for More People to be Able to Work Remotely?
We're currently in the middle of an on-demand revolution. Never before has it been easier to find someone to do almost anything — especially when you need it done quickly. Entrepreneurs can access talent around the world and coordinate with people across countries without traveling. The technology tools available today make virtual work possible. While there is definitely still a stigma attached to working remotely, the benefits far outweigh the constraints.
From freelancing to remote teams, the definition of work is changing every day. And though it isn't for everyone, virtual work has a lot to offer when it comes to efficiency and peace of mind.
To What Extent Will Remote Work Affect Where People Live?
Remote work is changing the way we live, but it's not just about the ability to work from anywhere. It's also about reducing travel time and costs. As more people do their jobs from home, it makes sense that they'll be spending less time commuting. If you assume that each worker spends one hour per day traveling to and from work, then every 10 percent increase in telecommuting results in an additional 1 million hours saved per year—a savings of $5 billion annually for the U.S. economy alone!
Will Remote Work Cause Companies to Hire More Contractors or More People Outside the US?
The trend of using contractors, freelancers and other non-employees has been increasing for years. This trend will continue as companies look for ways to reduce overhead costs. As more companies start working with remote workers, they'll realize that there are some benefits to having full-time employees who work from home or another location outside the office.
Remote workers can have many different skill sets and backgrounds, so it's possible for them to do tasks that a company might not otherwise have access to — especially if they don't have the budget for hiring someone full time.
For example, if a company needs someone with a specific skill set, such as coding or writing, they might not be able to hire someone locally who has that skill set without spending a lot of money on salary and benefits. A remote worker who specializes in this area could provide valuable services at a lower cost than hiring someone locally full time would cost.
How Will These Changes Affect Productivity?
Productivity does not necessarily decrease when employees work from home. In fact, because commutes and office distractions are eliminated, productivity can be maintained or even enhanced. Of course, employees must resolve family issues before working from home and must communicate with their supervisors about how to handle problems that arise during telecommuting periods.
Companies and workers alike are discovering the benefits of telecommuting and remote work; this will only increase as technology continues to improve. Every day, more and more people are realizing that they don't have to be stuck in an office in order to work efficiently. Telecommuting is becoming a more viable choice for many companies, allowing them to hire employees without regard to geographic location. Telecommuting is even taking its place in businesses that previously required physical office space, such as law firms.