How does home office work?
7 de November, 2019
Have you arrived at work and feel that if you had taken your laptop home, your day could have been more productive? How many times have you thought that, without distractions, you could perform better? Have you ever tried working from home? In this article, we’ll share with you the advantages and challenges of remote work. The new way of working that is winning over companies and employees.
With flexibility dictating the pace of evolution, the business market in Portugal is changing daily. From Social Benefits policies, which are on the rise among Portuguese companies, to the allocation of cell phones, cars and flexible working hours, promoting the well-being of employees is an increasingly present concern. Increasing team motivation and productivity are clear objectives. And in this sense, companies’ strategies are increasingly innovative. Remote work is no exception and if you don’t know what we’re talking about, read on. We’ll share with you all the advantages and challenges of this new way of working for both employees and companies.
What are the benefits of home office?
Does working from home sound like an impossible idea? Don’t be fooled. This is what remote work is all about. At home, in a café, in a coworking space or anywhere other than the office. And it’ s becoming more and more fashionable every day . Today, this trend is undoubtedly the right choice for most companies. Not just in Portugal, but all over the world. However, it’s essential to maintain a balance and, to do so, it’s important to be aware not only of the advantages, but also of the challenges. But what do you have to gain from remote work? If it’s not yet policy in your company, it’ s time we showed you some of the advantages:
- When you work outside the office, the first thing you’ll notice is the reduction in stress. Achieving your goals is still essential, but the mood and well-being with which you face each challenge is much greater;
- On the days you’re not in the office, your schedule is flexible. So not only will you be able to manage your time better, you’ll also have more time for your family;
- If you choose to work from home, your family budget also starts to grow. Spending on public transport and fuel is no longer a concern and the reduction in expenses is increasingly noticeable;
- The absence of interruptions is another plus. Without distractions, it will be easier to get your ideas across.
- You’ll also be in control of the pace of your work and, at the end of the day, you’ll have more free time;
All in all, the improvement in their quality of life is indisputable.
Do you already feel more motivated and ready to embrace home office?
Grab your things, put your laptop in your briefcase, talk to your manager and leave the office. Find the ideal space and, if it makes it easier, press “play” and put your favorite music on your headphones. And if you still need to convince your boss, show him or her the advantages of remote work for your company:
- By adopting a benefits strategy that includes home office, your company can even reduce costs. Both space and resources can be shared and used by several employees;
- Employee motivation, well-being and productivity will increase exponentially. Bearing in mind that by working away from the office, they will be able to reduce stress and absorb an extra dose of positive energy.
The important thing is that you keep your balance
However, it’s not all upside. It’s important to create a balance between working outside and inside the office. Remote work is indeed a great solution to keep you productive and motivated, but it can’t be routine.
Although it sounds great to isolate yourself from distractions and work away from your colleagues from time to time, that’s the key, “from time to time”. Not having colleagues close to you can easily become a disadvantage, as it makes it more difficult to schedule meetings, discuss ideas or organize to bring team projects to success.
And if you want to take on a new professional challenge, it’s important not to lose the habit of working in a team, in an office. If you stray too far from this reality, it will be much more difficult to readapt. On top of all this, for your company, remote work also makes it more difficult to control employees.
As well as interaction between departments and the development of team projects. That’s why, before taking a wrong step, it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of this professional trend. Depending on the job or function, remote work can be very positive or not so positive.
And although it may seem at first that working away from the office won’t make a difference, believe me, it will. If you stay at home, do you think you’ll be able to resist that movie you really wanted to see on TV yesterday? And if you go to the library, will swapping the noise of the office for absolute silence really work? Maybe it’s time to give it a try.
Home office is one solution, but there are many ways to increase motivation and productivity
Despite the challenges, this method is undoubtedly advantageous. According to a study by the International Labor Organization (ILO), remote work increases employee productivity by around 11%. Technology is constantly developing and the new generations are actively contributing to the evolution of the business market. Creating innovative strategies and ways of working is the daily challenge for companies. And among modern offices, with leisure and dining areas, there is still a lot to discover.
Social Benefits are therefore one of the most common policies for recognizing and valuing employees. At Edenred we have solutions with you in mind, in areas such as education, meal or rewards. Find out about all the benefits we have for you and your employees. Talk to us and ask for a simulation now. Join the Edenred family and add value to your business!