The pandemic of the early 2020’s has caused a global shift in working environments, with more people working remotely than ever. These workers can work virtually anywhere with an internet connection and a laptop. Others have a hybrid arrangement where they spend part of their time in the office and the rest remotely. While these practices were essential to workers and the economy at the height of the pandemic, remote and hybrid work may well have become a modern way of working (and living), with many workers now preferring remote to in-office work. In fact, remote work is one of the many job trends that employees are actively seeking out.

Still, many employers and other sceptics question remote work and productivity of remote workers. So, is there a productivity loss or is remote work an advantage? This article shares data on the subject and discusses the pros, cons, and a general outlook on how remote work might affect your company and employees.

Comparison of in-office work vs remote work

Improved communications and connectivity software have made remote work more feasible than it was in recent years, although there are still some distinct differences. While a home office may be more conducive to working individually, the remote worker must access these new tools to meet and collaborate with coworkers. It can also be more challenging for socialisation and to avoid isolation working remotely. Estimates indicate no commute for remote workers saves the remote worker 8 ½ hours per week on average and as much as $4,500 annually. Workers can use this time to achieve more or for personal hobbies, exercise or other interests.

Although isolation can become a concern for remote workers, there is also less opportunity for socialising with coworkers, frequently translating to more time for work. Many remote workers have taken advantage of the time previously spent commuting and socialising to exercise or engage in other hobbies. Exercise is not only great stress relief but can also be beneficial to overall mental and physical health.

How does remote work productivity compare to in-office productivity?

A study over the initial 2 years of the pandemic shows that remote productivity has increased by 6% on average. A survey of remote workers found that at least 94 percent of employers reported their employees were as productive, if not more, working remotely. In the same survey, only 7% of workers said they desired to return to the office full-time, and 83% indicated they were pleased with remote work arrangements.

Remote work productivity increases are attributed to several likely factors, including personalisation of the workspace and hours. Flexible schedules allow remote employees to accommodate family and personal obligations, and we all have times of the day that are better than others for specific tasks. Flexibility enables remote workers to schedule tasks at a time that works best for them. Many workers report that flexibility in their schedule improves their focus on the work at hand, and they work more hours when working remotely. In addition, there is no commute, which reduces stress and provides time for other activities.

Besides increased employee satisfaction and productivity, there are several other benefits to remote or hybrid work. Employers no longer need as much office space, resulting in less overhead costs from rent, utilities, security, insurance, and other amenities. The need for parking areas is also significantly reduced with a remote workforce.

Tips for remote work and productivity

Remote work is not a new concept. The pros and cons have been discussed for many years. Some companies have even experimented with it, but many employers felt the potential for a drop in employee productivity was too risky. The new statistics regarding increased remote work productivity have resulted in rethinking the future of remote work. What can these companies do to help their employees set the stage for a positive experience that meets productivity expectations? Discover some remote work tips below or consult our in-depth blog post on remote teams best practices for engineers.

• Find an appropriate, private location for work with a desk, comfortable chair, and other essential work supplies.
• Communicate boundaries with people in your home or space.
• Manage notifications and email to avoid unnecessary interruptions.
• Organise your day around the times you are most productive.
• Avoid procrastinating. If you can get demanding tasks out of the way, they will not loom over the rest of your day.
• Request feedback regularly from managers and others you work with closely.
• Plan frequent video meetings with colleagues.
• Actively take part in virtual meetings.
• Communicate efficiently.
• Stick to a schedule.
• Take regular breaks.
• Make your health and self-care a priority.

Planned future investments to support remote work

Many governments plan to invest in infrastructure supporting remote and hybrid work, likely pushing higher productivity gains for remote work. Although remote work doesn’t always lend itself well to all sectors and occupations, it has grown in popularity in many fields. Governments have committed to infrastructure and other improvements to increase the use and productivity of remote and hybrid work. The US Government, for example, has grant funds available for capital projects which invest in assets to enable work, education, and health monitoring. These projects must also meet a critical need that became apparent during the pandemic and be crucial for the community the project will serve.

Likewise, EU member states and Government organisations are supporting telework and infrastructure advancements. They view telework as a desirable option, offering employees work-life balance and personal development improvements. A key benefit of telework can be its flexibility in combining working life and childcare. Still, other governments view remote and hybrid work as a way to temper commuter and rush-hour traffic. Companies, employer organisations, and trade unions also largely support remote work and productivity.

Similarly, companies are investigating and developing policies and practices around remote and hybrid work. Companies can aid in further productivity increases by looking at employees’ working styles, habits, and needs. Typically, employees show a great desire to spend 2 days or fewer each week in the office. Still, it is important to consider this and other worker desires when developing practices and standards to meet the needs of remote employees.

In line with this outlook, TechTeamz hybrid and remote engineering teams are ideally suited for companies with remote employees or those considering more remote employees. We build each team, with robust, stable local leadership or as team hubs anywhere in the world, according to our customer’s preferences. Our teams are used to working remotely and have the tools and skills to be productive. Typically, our clients combine in-person employees and freelancers to build high-value teams with the skills necessary for the project and remote work.

The positive productivity outcomes for remote work and other benefits mean we can likely expect an even more significant shift to hybrid and remote work soon. Traditional employers who may opt to continue offering only standard in-office work can expect to continue to lose workers to those with remote and hybrid opportunities. Remote work appears to be the way of the future and is advantageous for all involved. Employees appreciate the convenience and flexibility, while employers enjoy increased productivity and reduced overhead costs. TechTeamz is proud to be a part of the shift to remote work and all the amazing benefits it can bring.