Working remotely has become the new normal for many employees due to the Covid-19 pandemic or changing workplace trends; remote work is here to stay and is set to grow even more in 2019.

People finding alternative work-from-home solutions find they have more time for other activities. Without commute time, coffee runs, or after work drinks meetings to attend to, people find they have more free time on their hands for other pursuits.

1. Work-Life Balance

Due to national lockdowns caused by COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations had no choice but to transition into remote work for the first time ever. And according to a McKinsey survey, most respondents believe these major transformations in how their companies work will continue for some time to come.

Employees benefit greatly from remote work because it gives them greater control of their schedules, giving them more time and flexibility for taking breaks, running errands or spending quality time with family. They can also tailor their workload according to natural peaks and valleys of energy throughout the day.

Flexibility at work can lead to improved work-life balance, which is vital for both physical and mental wellness. Yet the exact definition of what constitutes a healthy work-life balance may vary according to each individual; some may prefer spending part of each week at the office in order to interact with colleagues and focus on key projects.

2. Flexibility

Working remotely offers more than just convenience for employees; it also saves companies money. Companies can reduce office space needs and cut back on employee travel time to the workplace every day, which cuts costs associated with supplies like paper and coffee.

Employees also gain more flexibility, since they no longer need to worry about finding transportation after work or fitting their activities around coworker schedules. Instead, they can choose when it is most productive to work–early mornings, midday, or even at night if that is where their greatest output lies.

Working remotely is also beneficial for the environment. By eliminating commute times and gas emissions, employees save on costs such as fuel and CO2. They also get to live in communities with lower cost-of-living rates and can avoid high rent/mortgage areas.

3. Workplace Culture

Working remotely may be challenging for those accustomed to a more intimate workplace experience with coffee breaks, socializing and face-to-face meetings. Some find it easier to achieve work/life balance when they can close off distractions like home life during office hours so as to focus solely on their work during these hours.

As well, companies save money when employees opt to telecommute. When less people come into the office each day, this reduces space requirements for desks and equipment – saving companies both money and effort on overhead costs.

Individually, remote work can also open up more job opportunities for individuals. You could live in a smaller town with lower living costs while still accessing great career prospects like GitLab’s global employee base in over 68 countries!

4. Increased Productivity

Employers initially hesitated to try remote work during the pandemic, but many are now considering it as a permanent option. This trend bodes well: studies show that companies that provide flexible working have higher productivity levels.

Productivity increases when employees can reduce distractions and focus on their work without interruptions from home, such as meetings that don’t matter to them, as well as pre-reading memos or documents before meeting colleagues to avoid miscommunication and unnecessary political posturing.

Working remotely is also an excellent way to strengthen teamwork and collaboration. In-person meetings can be replaced by video conferencing software like Zoom; Slack makes working across time zones effortless while fostering relationships between employees from different countries.

5. Increased Employee Engagement

Remote work offers many employees more than cost savings or the chance to bypass morning rush-hour traffic; it enables them to pursue their passions, exercise more often, and spend more time with friends. Studies show that companies with high employee engagement experience 37% fewer absenteeism cases and 18% increased productivity levels.

Managers need to keep employees informed and communicate regularly with their teams; otherwise employee engagement could suffer severely. This is especially relevant for remote workers, so having clear methods of communication and regular virtual check-ins with team members will ensure that they don’t feel disconnected from company culture or that their concerns aren’t being heard is paramount for employee retention.