Working from home gives up a new set of possibilities for how firms might operate and arrange themselves. With the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, home working has provided some employers with the flexibility they require to continue business operations while prioritizing employee and customer health and well-being as part of their public health responsibilities.
Working from home was on the rise prior to the coronavirus epidemic, as many businesses recognized the benefits it may offer to their business and the improved work-life balance for their employees. Even if you do not believe that working from home would benefit your company, employees with 26 weeks of service have a statutory right to request flexible working arrangements such as home working, and you, as an employer, must seriously examine such requests.
Employees who work from home have several advantages.
With an increasing number of people working from home – or using the home as a working base for at least part of the week – it’s evident that there are a number of advantages for businesses, including:
Flexibility and Agility
Working from home allow for greater agility and flexibility in working circumstances. Employees may be better suited and more ready to work flexible hours, such as earlier or later in the day, or even on weekends, now that they are no longer tethered to an office. This may assist you in meeting certain business needs, such as trading with customers in a different time zone.
Improved Employee Retention
Because of the flexibility of home working, employees may fulfill childcare needs, cut their travel, and fit their work around their personal lives. Allowing employees to work from home increases their faith in their employer, which can contribute significantly to employee loyalty.
Attract New Talent
Offering home working as an incentive to come and work for you can help you attract fresh talent to your business. Even simply providing the option to work from home can provide you an advantage in the job market over competitors that do not provide this choice to their employees.
Increased Productivity
As a result of fewer interruptions that would normally occur in an office setting. Working from home, on the other hand, provides a more tranquil setting that can encourage more focused work. You may also find that some employees would like to increase their paid contractual hours as they save time commuting to and from work.
Increased Employee Motivation
Working from home allows employees to feel more trusted by their employer because the working relationship isn’t as closely watched and employees are given more leeway to get on with their tasks. Staff will also be happier if they can build a home working pattern that suits them, which can lead to them feeling more motivated to give their all.
Improved Employee Health and Well-being
Working from home eliminates the need for your employees to commute to work, which can be stressful. Saving time like this also allows employees to receive greater health benefits like getting more sleep, spending more time with family, exercising, or cooking better foods.
Financial Advantages
Financial advantages include cost savings on office space, office supplies, utility expenses, and other amenities. Staff may also be eligible for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) tax relief for working from home – see seek tax relief for your job expenses – working from home.
Convenience
You may have employees who make frequent visits to customer sites and are thus not regularly in the office. Allowing them to work from home may be more convenient and result in further time and expense savings.
Better Work/Life Balance
Working from home can help employees improve their work-life balance; for example, employees who would have had to commute will now be able to spend that time for themselves, laying the groundwork for a better work-life balance. Employees can also fit in domestic duties around their working day, allowing them more free time in the evenings, such as loading or emptying the dishwasher or preparing supper during their lunch break.
Technology Advantage
It is made easier by technology, as the internet allows employees to stay linked to the office at all times. Communication between coworkers and teams has become easier thanks to tools like Skype, which can sometimes lead to more efficient and successful meetings.
Staff is more likely to feel happier and more invigorated working from home, thus their immune system is less likely to be badly influenced by burnout. Furthermore, because staff operates in isolation, there is less likelihood of illnesses spreading than in an office setting.