6 Reasons Why Remote Working Is Here To Stay

Published by Matthew Willis on December 1, 2022

It wasn’t long ago that the thought of working remotely seemed completely alien, but today, it’s considered the new normal. In fact, it’s so commonplace that it’s probably not even new anymore. Flexible work setups are now an expectation for job hunters, with the traditional office-based ‘9-to-5’ now considered a turn-off for many applicants.

The many benefits of remote working have been covered in detail, of course, but it suffices to say that working remotely offers a better work-life balance for employees, while providing business owners the opportunity to attract new talent from all over the globe. For these reasons and myriad others, the working landscape has been changed irreversibly: remote working is here to stay. But why?

In this post, we explore the 6 primary reasons remote work isn’t going anywhere soon.

When did remote working become popular?

Remote working has always theoretically been an option; however, pre-2020, it seemed that remote working opportunities were few and far between. It wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that working remotely became more widespread across all major industries, first as the result of enforced lockdowns, but later as a very valuable setup that benefits both employees and employers.

Fast forward to nearly 2023 and remote working is still widespread, despite most businesses reopening their offices. It seems, during the height of remote working, there was a complete refresh of people’s attitudes and expectations of work — including where they work and the hours they put in. This is essentially why remote and hybrid working practices have remained so popular.

Many new business owners also favor remote work. More and more startups are launching remotely from the very beginning, as it’s often less risky than having a dedicated office and spending additional money on operational costs.

Does remote work make you an attractive employer?

Let’s be honest, going into an office everyday 9-to-5 can be tiring, draining, and often pretty uninspiring. Today, people expect so much more from their jobs. The antithesis of the old 9-to-5 model, remote work can be a great attraction and retention tool for businesses, helping hiring managers to make their roles look more attractive and retain talented employees by boosting engagement.

You have to remember that your employees have lives outside of work. Simple life admin tasks like trying to schedule a doctor’s appointment or managing the school run can be a drain when you have to factor in commuting to and from an office, but this is made a whole lot easier when employees are able to work from home. A healthy work-life balance can have a big impact on the way your employees work.

Why is working remotely a game-changer for businesses?

The global recruitment landscape has evolved more rapidly since the pandemic than it did in the entire preceding decade. Working from the comfort of your home, local coffee shop, or while traveling are just a few of the options now available for those working remotely. And with that comes a whole number of benefits for employees and employers alike.

So, why is remote work here to stay? Here’s why:

1. Employees want more control over their work setups

According to Global Workplace Analytics, it’s estimated that 22% of the American workforce will work remotely by 2025. Why? Well, since the influx of remote working that was promoted by COVID-19, people are increasingly recognizing the advantages of working from home. Being able to choose where you work allows more control and a better work-life balance.

Some people work better from home where they’re undisturbed, while others want the option of being able to travel as they work — neither of which is possible when you’re expected to be in the office every day. The power balance is shifting from complete employer control to enabling employees to determine the makeup of their working weeks.

2. Onboarding remote employees creates new opportunities for businesses

Another main reason why remote working is here to stay is the number of new opportunities that can arise for businesses. The ability to onboard employees remotely means you can diversify your teams with specialist talent from all over the world, save money on operations (by negating the need for ample office space), and expand your business into new markets more easily.

Hiring international employees is now easier than ever. For example, if you want to hire someone from Mexico, an employer of record service can do the bulk of the work for you, including managing local compliance laws and paying your employees in their local currency (the peso). (If you are indeed recruiting remotely from Mexico, this guide should help: Guide on Hiring Employees in Mexico | Remote).

3. Working remotely can result in better productivity

Not everyone works at their best in an office setting. While it can encourage some people to get their heads down and power through their work, office distractions such as colleagues continually popping over for a quick chat can actually slow them down. On the other hand, working remotely can be more conducive to productivity.

Statistics have shown that in the last year, online job adverts including terms related to “home working” have increased at a faster rate than total adverts, and three times above 2020 averages. Clearly, employers are recognizing that remote working needn’t be a barrier to productivity, and in fact, it can result in a more engaged, more ‘switched-on’ workforce.

4. Businesses can save money by working remotely

Working from home can actually save businesses money. There are a lot of costs associated with managing an office, such as rent, insurance, maintenance, and utility bills. However, if your teams can work just as well outside of a central office, it could be time to let your HQ go — or at least downsize if you still require some office space for occasional in-person collaboration.

The money you save on operational expenses can then be channeled into other parts of the business, such as your recruitment or expansion strategy. It’s a good idea, however, to provide a small working-from-home contribution to your employees that will subsidize any additional costs they may incur while working at home (due to increased energy usage, for example).

5. Job hunters favor remote or hybrid roles

If you want to remain a competitive employer (and retain your most talented existing employees) then you need to understand what job hunters are looking for in their future employers. Flexibility often appears at the top of the list. Being open to flexible work indicates that you’re a modern, progressive employer that understands the importance of work-life balance.

LinkedIn has also jumped on the trend: by adding an ‘open to working remotely’ option, job seekers can show they’re interested in remote roles, while employers can advertise positions under a ‘hybrid’ or ‘remote’ filter. You may find that the quality and quantity of applicants improve when your job description promotes flexibility as a key workplace benefit.

6. Remote working allows businesses to utilize global talent

When you limit your talent search to a specific location — within reasonable commuting distance of an office, for example — there’s no guarantee that you’ll find someone who fits the criteria of the role — which can result in an underskilled workforce and high employee turnover. On the other hand, widening your talent search to a larger radius means you’ll have a better chance of finding the perfect fit.

Who knows, you may even find the most suitable applicants on the other side of the world. The additional upshot of this is that — if you’re attempting to expand your business to global markets — you can recruit talent with local expertise in the country or region you’re going after, helping you to gain a better understanding of the local market there.

It’s clear to see that remote working is here to stay in one way or another. If you want to keep your employees engaged and remain an attractive employer, incorporating a flexible work setup can provide a range of benefits that you won’t want to overlook.