Coronavirus is having an unprecedented global impact. There are currently 124,474 infected patients and 8,965 death across 170 countries. This includes China, Italy and Iran. The US has reported a total of 149 deaths and 8,500 positive cases.
The COVID-19 disease, once in a century public-health crisis, has thrown the world’s economy into recession and severely disrupted economic activity.
In an effort to stop the spread of the virus, IT organizations are now requiring their employees to use work-from-home models.
Technology giants like Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Salesforce, as well as Apple, Facebook and Twitter, have closed down their offices and asked employees to leave. They also introduced mandatory remote work policies.
Remote work, also known as telecommuting, working at home (WFH), mobile, or flexible work, can be a powerful tool to limit the spread of disease. Companies can also avoid significant productivity losses and protect public health.
Work-from-Home: Benefits for Employees
No commute stress.
There are fewer interruptions that distract coworkers.
Minimal office politics.
More productivity.
Better work-life balance
It’s a boon for family and social life.
A general increase in happiness.
Employers get benefits
Increased productivity and employee satisfaction
You can have a truly diverse set of thoughts by not limiting talent to one area.
Creation of work-and community socialness
Reduced office space means more savings for employees.
Manage your Work-from-Home schedule, stay productive and deliver results
Focus on self-renewal and make the most of your morning commute.
Be organized, but be flexible when choosing work areas in your home. You don’t have to limit your work space to one desk or office.
Your surroundings should reflect the type of work you do. This could be a quiet area in your home for in-depth analysis or an outdoor space for managing your housekeeping tasks and responding to emails.
To avoid losing productivity, treat it as a formal job. Sit in a straight chair and move away from distractions.
Communicate clearly with your boss, reporting manager or client and streamline communication.
Video conference calls are a personal approach that allows you to see each other’s faces whenever possible.
Encourage social interaction by encouraging regular check-ins between your managers and team members. It can help you avoid loneliness, share progress updates and address pressing issues, as well as brainstorm ideas. FaceTime, Zoom and many other video tools can all be used to do the same.
You can pause the computer and take breaks for coffee, lunch, or breathers. It makes you more productive, efficient, and perspective-driven.
Define your work schedule and allot time for leisure. Be disciplined and adhere to the boundaries. This will help you finish your workday on time and allow you to move into your own space.
You can designate certain spaces as work-free zones. You can unwind after a long day by going to places that you don’t associate with work.
In the US, the contribution of the home-based workforce has tripled over the past 15 years. About 25% of US employees and more than 50% of those working in the information sector dial into meetings to consult clients or complete other tasks from their laptops at work.
Although work-from-home has seen a significant increase in adoption, not everyone is convinced. The negative interpretations of remote work show it to be lonely and does not foster creativity, companionship, or psychological safety, which are essential qualities for productive teams.
The debate continues! The statistics show a much bigger picture.
In the US, the number of companies offering work-from home options has increased by 40% over the past five years. Companies that offer remote work have lower turnover rates. Remote work is a way to save $44 billion annually.
Since 2005, the number of regular work-from-home workers (excluding self-employed) has increased by 115%. More than 3 million people work from home at least 50% of the time.
Remote work flexibility is a benefit that more than 65% of managers see as a result of increased employee productivity.
86% of employees feel most productive when working alone. Remote employees work an average of 1.4 days per month more than their in-office colleagues. 82% report lower stress levels.
68% of millennial job-seekers consider work-from-home a major factor in their interest in a company.
A pandemic and its subsequent scenarios may not be enough