Sleeping in, pajamas and laziness can be a few negative side effects of the Work from Home (WFM) phenomenon. But words like integrity and intensity, coupled with the desire for flexibility and independence can also accurately depict the millennial-driven workforce powering the industries and innovations of today.
In the midst of the digital era, organizations are becoming increasingly filled with young faces and fresh minds. In a recent study conducted by Ernst & Young, it was reported that, “millennials will make up 75% of the global working population by 2025.” As we witness a generation shift in the workplace, we also begin to observe a different kind of transformation; one dealing with flexibility and convenience.
Some people may view commuting to work and sitting at your cubical from 9-5 as almost ‘prehistoric’. In recent years, we have begun to witness the emergence of what is being called a “Digital Office”, or more commonly, working remotely.
If you asked your boss if you could work from home 10 years ago, he or she probably would have told you to go home and use a sick day. However, today that is far from the case.
In fact, for many job seekers today, the option to work remotely is almost a necessity when finding that ‘perfect fit.’ A recent study reported that:
Employees would take increased remote work opportunity over an increase in pay, with 74 percent of employees saying they would quit their jobs to work for an organization that would allow them to work remotely more often, even if their salary stayed the same.
A flexible policy with remote working options has the power to reduce employee turnover rate and allow organizations to retain top talent while opening the gates to a global market of accomplished professionals.
Allowing for this flexibility and freedom can enhance productivity at work; It’s not all about staying at home in your pajamas all day (that’s just an added bonus!) When you consistently have coworkers interrupting your schedule with last-minute tasks, requests, ideas or other information that could be shared in writing for a more convenient time, the workplace can quickly transform into a counterproductive environment.
Not only does working at home allow you to zone in and focus on the tasks at hand, but it also significantly improves your work-life balance. In a recent study, it was discovered that 75% of employees who were able to work remotely saw an increased balance in their work-life.
Take it from one of Vantage Agora’s own remote employee who says that working from home has provided them with the opportunity to be flexible, especially when it comes to their children. “If one of my kids gets sick and needs to stay home, I don’t have to call off. I can still work.”
For many, remote capabilities allow for a more functional work environment. However, there are some downfalls when it comes to this inclusive working style.
You may think it sounds nice to roll out of bed and walk down the hall to your office, but sometimes working alone all day can lead to feelings of isolation and a lack of valued company culture. Employers may also view this as a negative side effect of working from home.
A few big-name companies such as IBM and Yahoo! have revoked the “work from home” perk as they see it standing in the way of the optimal success of the company. The counterargument is that sometimes the best ideas come from face-to-face conversations or casual hallway chats in the office that won’t happen if everyone is working in the comfort of their homes.
We can see both sides to whether the WFH policy enables or derails success. If your company does allow for this ‘work perk’, then an established policy and system needs to be set in place for easy communication and clear standards. No organization can be successful without accountability, communication and a strong culture.
We at Vantage Agora have multiple remote employees, but with our Business Operating System, there is no lack of communication or feelings of isolation involved! We are a global company with remote employees staffed in multiple states and countries. Our all-inclusive platform has integrated chat, email, announcement and AI features that allow employees to easily connect to one another, even if they’re in different states or across the globe.
The “Digital Office” empowers employees to work in an environment that is best-suited to their personal needs, as well as professional aspirations. Adapting to this trend can be highly beneficial for all involved.
Who would have thought we’d see the day where we can work in separate states, even separate countries, sit in our PJs and still be highly-communicative and productive?! The time is now; remote working is here to stay, as the increase in popularity for this lifestyle continues to rise.
