Ten years ago, remote working was a pipe dream. The ability to do a full day’s work while not being in an office is something that has been challenged before, and to this day, leaves people on either side of the fence.
Since 2005, the number of people working from home has increased by 140%, according to Global Workplace Analytics, with smaller companies twice as likely to hire full-time remote workers. Upwork predicts that by the year 2028, 73% of all teams will have remote workers. This shift is partly due to a technologically advancing workforce as well as younger generations making headway into the working world and influencing the way the world functions.
Remote Working and Vacation
In the tech industry, services such as software development, DevOps, and cloud-based working make the working day a far easier one to accomplish when people are comfortable, relaxed, and less stressed. For many people, this means working remotely.
Whether you’re doing so from your home or from a coffee shop, the notion of having flexibility is what everyone is after. Studies on Buffer show that 40% of survey takers want to be able to use the flexible schedule that comes with remote working. In contrast, 30% prefer to work from any location.
Many forward-thinking companies also allow their employees to take unlimited vacations, something that sounds like it could be a potential risk. Still, studies show that the majority of those offered unlimited vacation take between 1 and 4 weeks a year.
At Theta, we utilize and champion remote-first in our work culture. It’s in doing this, that we can partner with the best talent that the US has to offer, working in small but agile teams, building custom solutions. To learn more about joining our remote-first work culture, check out our job board here.
Pushing Remote to Tech
The tech industry is massive, and that’s no secret. Statista shows that the tech industry has boomed to $3.3bn in 2019 and is expected to continue growing. That’s why tech companies need to adapt to the way the world functions.
- Less Commuting
Perhaps one of the most important factors for Theta adopting remote working is that it reduces the time that employees spend commuting. In major cities, commuting can take up a large portion of an employee’s own time, time that could be better spent on other times. When asked what the most attractive aspects of remote working are, most mention less commuting.
- Employee Retention
It’s an inherent advantage, but one that nevertheless exists. Giving employees the freedom to work remotely will make them happier, and this leads to higher employee retention. Being ahead of the curve before it becomes an industry standard will also allow you to hire the best employees.
- Scale Back Micromanagement
Nobody wants to come to work to do a lousy job! The majority of people want to go to work each day and do a good job when they are required to. This isn’t something that’s going to change with remote working. As long as you have a system in place that makes people accountable, you’d be surprised how the work still gets done. There’ll be no need to micromanage, giving your employees the feeling that they are trusted.
- Lower Overheads
With more remote workers comes the lesser need for an office. Office space is expensive, whether you’re owning or renting, it can be a burden on your bottom line. With people working remotely, this can be reduced. Employees may also be more willing to take more freedom in their jobs over a demanding payrise too, so there could also be a benefit to that. We’d never encourage employees being underpaid, though, but research shows 36% of employees would prefer remote working to a pay rise.
- Increased Health and Wellness
Finally, remote working provides employees with increased health and wellness. Allowing them to be flexible, sorting out “life admin,” spending more time with family, and ultimately, relaxing without any added pressure will give them a better outlook, thus increasing their productivity when the time comes. It’s a win/win scenario.
Final Thought
Whether you’re at a giant corporate company or a small to medium enterprise in the technology industry, it pays to do your research, find out what works best for your company, and look to the future. Remote working is the future in our world, and it’s best to get on board.