The positive results that industries receive will be a decisive factor for modifying labor policies and incorporating definitive models of remote work.
The Coronavirus health emergency and the isolation requirements have created an unprecedented opportunity towards demonstrating the benefits of remote work, for both businesses and their collaborators.
While shelter at home orders have been issued, remote work remains the right recipe to guarantee the continuity of the operations of most companies around the world. However, experts emphasize that this could be a trend without a return point.
According to data published by the Inter-American Development Bank, before Coronavirus, Brazil was the most advanced country in Latin America in terms of remote work, with 12 million remote workers. It was followed by Mexico (with 2.6 million), Argentina (with 2 million) and Chile (with half a million), while Costa Rica had just 30,000 employees who had the possibility of working from home.
“The spread of the Coronavirus created a scenario where working from home stopped being a privilege and became a necessity. However, it represents the greatest opportunity in our history to demonstrate the effectiveness of remote work as a permanent model,” said Luis Carlos Chaves, COO of Avantica.
Chaves believes that the current scenario will allow the necessary organizational leap to change the face-to-face culture and lead the way for working towards a more accepted practice of doing business remotely.
The following are some of the main benefits demonstrated by companies that have adopted full or part-time remote work:
- Savings: Companies perceive an important reduction in the expenditures of electricity, water, office supplies, and other utilities. On average, remote work could save an American company up to $ 11,000 a year per employee.
- Efficiency boost: Although productivity is one of the biggest concerns of managers when implementing work from home, a recent survey by Owl Labs in the United States revealed that 8 out of 10 workers who work remotely achieve a better focus on their tasks.
- Stronger organizational culture: People who work remotely a few days a week have demonstrated better stress and frustration management. On average, they are 29% happier than on-site workers.
- Reduction of carbon footprint: By avoiding the commute to workplaces, companies can contribute to reducing fuel consumption.
- Better balance between work and personal life: Those with personal or family commitments, such as caring for children or elderly parents, can get the flexibility to work at more convenient hours.
- Greater inclusion: Remote work can break down barriers that make it difficult for people with disabilities to access a job.
To achieve positive outcomes and to maintain productivity levels during this isolation period, companies must ensure the streamlining of their information and communication systems. Furthermore, supervisors must provide workers the right guidance and support to carry out their duties.
“I foresee that this pandemic will give the trend of remote work a vigorous boost, both for companies that have never experimented with working from home before, as well as for those that have already adopted partial models, but have never faced the urgency of sending 100% of their personnel to work at home,” added Chaves.
