7 Reasons Coronavirus Will Enhance Future Remote Work Opportunities

Permanent Remote Work

The workplace is an ever changing area and more decidedly so due to coronavirus. Here are seven reasons why this pandemic will enhance future remote work opportunities for many.

Time

Much like virtual tours in real estate save time for everyone involved, the same goes for remote work. There are many ways working hours are organized; part-time, full-time, shared-time, vacations, sabbaticals, and sick leave are just a few time descriptions of work schedules. Coronavirus has forced a large segment of the workforce to re-evaluate how and when work is done. Before major shutdowns due to coronavirus, some people assumed that remote workers were merely slacking off because it seemed to be a causal method of work.

As the pandemic began to force communities to close businesses, working remotely became mainstream. The result is the realization that a significant amount of work can be done remotely. As attitudes shifted it became apparent that more work could be done in less time. Commutes, which could take an hour or more twice a day, were not necessary.

More time could be spent accomplishing productive work rather than getting ready to work. There is more time to spend with families or developing other healthy aspects of our lives.

More Immediate Work

Technology evolves at an astronomical rate, as needs arise in the remote work world technology fills those needs with smarter, more intuitive software. If a project requires collaboration or an ordered contribution from co-workers, the task can be done in real-time online.

Current software eliminates the need for physical files to be sent via messenger from floor to floor and hoping the right person receives the files. Questions or concerns can be addressed in less time than it took to walk to a co-worker’s office.

Teamwork

A group project may have required one or more of the participants to travel, book lodging, find food, locate the meeting place and most importantly; not leaving drawings, files, or schematics in the cab.

Zoom and a host of other video-conferencing sites have eliminated these issues. Video-conferencing is easy to set up and can work for small and large groups. Projects can be discussed, and arrangements finalized from almost anywhere on the globe.

Bottom Line

The costs of running a business pre-coronavirus included renting or owning a physical space. Maintaining the space often meant buying furniture and equipment, cleaning, hiring tech people, providing snacks and a beverage service of some type.

If the business place was in a large office complex it also required dealing with building managers, maintenance people and parking issues. Remote work alleviates many of the inconvenient and time-consuming aspects of working in an office. If contracts need to be signed, use a platform like DocuSign, and notarizations can be done legally and remotely as well.

Travel

For a national or international business, the return on investment (ROI) had to include all expenses for travel. In the design industry for example, this oftentimes meant sending a group of six or seven people to a location.

Air travel, food and lodging is a substantial cost for any business. Coronavirus has sped up the time frame for people to embrace remote work. The increase in technologies that have developed for many occupations increased the realization that much of the world functions beautifully at a distance and requires less travel.

Health and Safety

Coronavirus became an international pandemic in less than a year. More than any recent health scare, it has made people acutely aware of the health risks associated with personal contact in the work environment.

From real estate attorneys to music producers to salespeople, remote work is a feasible alternative to crowded offices in many industries. Reduction of contact helps people maintain their own health and the health of their families. In situations where work must be done in person–like healthcare–the actual mental and physical burden is a serious consideration for every employer and employee.

Human Resources

The physical distance of remote work reduces the physical interactions of co-workers. This can lessen the amount of issues that are handled by a human resource person, or department (HR). Complaints surrounding inappropriate contact are a non-issue. Communication in the workplace environment is monitored and can be retrieved if complaints are made. The risk of sexual misconduct is reduced exponentially. Spurred by the pandemic, the number of tasks learned and mastered by businesses around the globe proves the benefits of remote work, now and in the future.

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