The working-from-home model has grown on executives like kombucha. While many teams held off on allowing remote workers for years, many are considering the permanent switch due to quarantine. And that’s how the workplace of the future is taking shape right before our eyes, one in which people have the flexibility to work with people located all over the world.
What We’ve Learned from the WFH Experiment
It’s not just leaders who are enjoying the WFH model, it’s also employees. A recent survey from Robert Half found that 66% of Canadian employees who are working remotely are reporting they want to keep working from home. According to Upwork:
- 56% of managers are finding remote work is going better than they thought; one-third said productivity increased, one-third said productivity decreased.
- 62% plan to allow some flexibility for remote work in the future.
The Pros and Cons of the WFH Model
Of course, just like the traditional office, the WFH model isn’t perfect. It has its pros and cons:
Pros: Fewer meetings, reduced commutes, mid-day workouts, and most importantly, not having to listen to your co-worker talk about their new diet.
Cons: Technical issues, less communication, more distractions, and trouble separating work from personal life.
There are some additional struggles with the WFH model; black and Hispanic workers struggle with access and women take on much more of the “invisible work” at home including childcare and housework. As a leader, it’s crucial to provide remote employees with the technical support and flexibility they need to accomplish their work without added stress.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is… the bottom line, remote work saves companies lots of money. According to a Global Workplace Analytics report, the typical company can save an average of $11,000 per half-time telecommute per year.
It’s a challenging time for everyone, but we’ve learned that the remote model can help lower risks, reduce costs, grow teams exponentially, and give employees the freedom they want. Someday in the future, according to our experts, “remote work” will just be “work.” And especially because of COVID-19, we’re being pushed towards this future, quickly.
Transitioning your team to a remote model is no easy feat, but IT/IQ is a great place to start. Whether you’re looking to add an additional member to your team or an entire team itself to your company, IT/IQ Remote Teams take care of onboarding, HR, payroll, and amenities, all on one monthly invoice. Yes – you heard that right. Not only do we have an extensive network to expand your remote teams, but we also have the capacity to manage the teams you assemble. This way, you can lower your risk, reduce your costs, and grow your team exponentially.
Find the Future with IT/IQ Remote Teams
With locations in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto we can help cover all your hiring needs. To learn more about IT/IQ Remote Teams, visit our website or reach out to one of our veteran recruiters. We cannot wait to hear from you and to build a better global business culture together.
