When people work from home, are they more productive or less? Thanks to technological advancements that allow for remote work. Many individuals and business owners have been working from home for years. This is the new normal for a rising number of Americans. Now, in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, most businesses and their employees are following suit, prompting the question: Is this a constructive working arrangement?
Yes, according to an Airtasker poll. Researchers surveyed 1,004 full-time workers across the United States on their productivity, commuting, and other aspects of their lives. 505 people in the category worked from home. Working from home, according to the report- benefits employees not only by reducing daily trips but also by increasing productivity and leading to better lifestyles. It’s a win-win situation that employees enjoy since it allows them to be more flexible – but at the expense of their work-life balance.
The maximum potential for remote work, which includes all activities that can potentially be performed remotely, and a lower bound for the effective potential for remote work, which eliminates tasks that have a clear benefit from being done in person, have been devised by Mckinsey.
What can you do at home to be more productive?
It would be logical if employers experienced a drop in productivity as a result of all of the modern conveniences of home clamoring for our attention, yet the contrary is true. Telecommuters “worked 1.4 more days every month, or 16.8 more days per year” than office workers, according to the Airtasker survey.
Working from home, however, is more stressful than working in an office. Approximately 29% of telecommuting respondents stated it was difficult to strike a good work-life balance. Only 23% of office workers said they had the same problem and contributed to a healthier way of living.
1. Take some time to relax.
According to the Airtasker poll, taking breaks was the most efficient strategy for remote employees to stay productive (37 percent ). Although longer breaks have been demonstrated to boost productivity, the study found that office workers took shorter breaks than remote workers.
Encourage your employees to get up from their desks during the day. Especially if they’re feeling particularly tired or distracted, to grab a healthy meal, take a walk around the house, phone a friend, meditate, and so on.
2. Stick to a routine.
Having regular work hours is the second most popular strategy for employees to stay productive at home (33% ). Encourage employees to stick to the same schedule they had when they first arrived at work. Following a schedule will make your employees feel more organized and efficient, as well as assist them to focus their attention.
3. Maintain a to-do list.
According to the Airtasker survey, 30% of remote employees said that keeping a to-do list helped them be more productive. Encourage staff to write down what they want to accomplish each day so that they don’t hop from task to task. Communication is crucial now that you and your team are working remotely. Set aside time each day or week for you and your team to discuss and prioritize initiatives.
4. Get rid of Distractions
Researchers discovered that, in addition to spending more time working, remote workers wasted 27 minutes each day to distractions compared to 37 minutes for distracted office workers. Only 8% of remote employees and 6% of office workers said it was difficult to focus on their tasks, according to the survey.
Distractions include text messages, phone calls, and social media. Employees at home, in particular, will face several interruptions throughout the day.
Advantages of Work From Home
One of the most significant advantages of working remotely is that employees no longer have to commute to work. According to the Airtasker report, commuting has caused at least 1 in 4 respondents to quit their jobs. Many employees stated that they would be willing to give up a lot of things to eliminate their commute.
The average commute time in the United States is now approaching 30 minutes. Because workers spend so much time on the road, they spend more money on gas as well as maintenance and repair expenditures owing to wear and strain on their vehicles. According to studies, the average remote worker saved more than $4,500 in fuel costs each year. Along with the coworkers, the absence of a daily commute also resulted in a minor reduction in maintenance costs. Remote workers spend $55 per month compared to $59 for office workers. It also benefits the environment by reducing the number of people who drive, train, or take the bus to and from work.
In addition to the financial benefits, respondents indicated they had a more spare time when their commutes were removed. As a result, employees reported having an extra 17 days of free time on average.
Some of the time that has been gained has been used to develop healthier workout habits. Researchers found that remote employees spent two hours and 44 minutes each week on physical activity. This is an increase of 25 minutes.
Sickness also spreads swiftly among coworkers who share the same workplace environment. Offices are frequently crammed with people who work in close quarters with one another and unknowingly share germs. To “flatten the curve” of the coronavirus epidemic, numerous states have issued stay-at-home orders. And many firms have demanded that employees work from home. Allowing your employees to work from home helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 among your employees and their families.
What we conclude
Depending on your arrangement, working from home can be a more productive work environment than a traditional office cubicle, allowing you to achieve a better work-life balance. The present epidemic has altered the way we work, with more businesses opting for at-home solutions.
To ensure that your employees’ productivity remains at corporate standards for months to come, make sure they are comfortable, organized, and healthy.