Picture this: The ZipMobile has broken down (again), carmaggedon has ensued, and half your employees can’t get to the office. Do you mark it as a lost workday or can those employees work remotely from home?

In a little over ten years, the number of U.S. employees working from home increased 115 percent—from 1.8 million in 2005 to 3.9 million in 2017. This growing trend for remote work, also referred to as telecommuting, is fueled by the demands of an always-on work culture and advances in technology that has made it incredibly easy to work virtually.

Though it’s true that not every business can reasonably adopt or successfully execute a remote working arrangement, it is getting harder and harder not to ignore this dramatic shift in the way we work.

Not ready to let your employees trade the office cubicle for the living room couch just yet? Here are five reasons a remote working arrangement might be worth it.

1. Remote work boosts engagement.

Giving employees control over where and when they work can lead to pay-offs in engagement and satisfaction. In fact, remote workers are happier at work than their office counterparts, according to a TINYpulse survey of employees across all work arrangements. A remote working arrangement fosters trust and places value on the quality of an employee’s work, not merely the number of hours in an office seat.

2. Remote work promotes flexibility.

When facing the unexpected, remote working arrangements provide businesses the flexibility to ensure that productivity never falls off the rails. It also cuts down on unscheduled absenteeism costs, which can go as high as $3,600 per year per hourly employee.

3. Remote work reduces overhead costs.

Office space is not cheap. With fewer people in the office, you can mitigate the overhead costs of running a larger office space. It’s estimated that an average business could save up to $11,000 per employee per year if employees worked remotely just part-time.

4. Remote work helps retain top employees.

Remote working arrangements allow employees to continue working for your company, even if personal reasons force them to relocate. With high costs of living, it’s a reality for many Hawaii employers as more and more local residents are leaving the islands for the mainland.

5. Remote work expands talent pools.

Hawaii’s isolated geographical location means that local talent is limited. And if you can’t offer an attractive relocation package, your best bet may be to expand your recruitment efforts elsewhere to build a remote workforce.

In order to reap the benefits of a remote working arrangement, it’s crucial to set guidelines and expectations. simplicityHR by ALTRES can help!

Looking to outsource your HR?

Have a question for one of our HR experts? Click the button below to learn more about this issue or to schedule a free consultation on the advantages of human resources outsourcing.

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Picture this: The ZipMobile has broken down (again), carmaggedon has ensued, and half your employees can’t get to the office. Do you mark it as a lost workday or can those employees work remotely from home?

In a little over ten years, the number of U.S. employees working from home increased 115 percent—from 1.8 million in 2005 to 3.9 million in 2017. This growing trend for remote work, also referred to as telecommuting, is fueled by the demands of an always-on work culture and advances in technology that has made it incredibly easy to work virtually.

Though it’s true that not every business can reasonably adopt or successfully execute a remote working arrangement, it is getting harder and harder not to ignore this dramatic shift in the way we work.

Not ready to let your employees trade the office cubicle for the living room couch just yet? Here are five reasons a remote working arrangement might be worth it.

1. Remote work boosts engagement.

Giving employees control over where and when they work can lead to pay-offs in engagement and satisfaction. In fact, remote workers are happier at work than their office counterparts, according to a TINYpulse survey of employees across all work arrangements. A remote working arrangement fosters trust and places value on the quality of an employee’s work, not merely the number of hours in an office seat.

2. Remote work promotes flexibility.

When facing the unexpected, remote working arrangements provide businesses the flexibility to ensure that productivity never falls off the rails. It also cuts down on unscheduled absenteeism costs, which can go as high as $3,600 per year per hourly employee.

3. Remote work reduces overhead costs.

Office space is not cheap. With fewer people in the office, you can mitigate the overhead costs of running a larger office space. It’s estimated that an average business could save up to $11,000 per employee per year if employees worked remotely just part-time.

4. Remote work helps retain top employees.

Remote working arrangements allow employees to continue working for your company, even if personal reasons force them to relocate. With high costs of living, it’s a reality for many Hawaii employers as more and more local residents are leaving the islands for the mainland.

5. Remote work expands talent pools.

Hawaii’s isolated geographical location means that local talent is limited. And if you can’t offer an attractive relocation package, your best bet may be to expand your recruitment efforts elsewhere to build a remote workforce.

In order to reap the benefits of a remote working arrangement, it’s crucial to set guidelines and expectations. simplicityHR by ALTRES can help!

Looking to outsource your HR?

Have a question for one of our HR experts? Click the button below to learn more about this issue or to schedule a free consultation on the advantages of human resources outsourcing.

Sign up for our newsletter

Sign up for our monthly HIVE newsletter and get tips for finding a job, managing a business and advancing your career right in your inbox.

* indicates required