What is the Best Working Model?
For many people around the world, working remotely has become the new norm in recent years. Candidates are looking for remote job opportunities and employees don't want to leave their virtual offices. This wave has sparked a debate within companies. Which model is best - remote, hybrid or perhaps good old-fashioned in-house?
It all depends on the situation, but we are remote-first from day one. Most of our team doesn't work 9 to 5, we don't have a physical office and we come from different regions. Not every industry can offer a distributed work environment, but we believe that in many cases it is simply a fear of giving employees too much freedom.
What we want to highlight here is that remote working is not just for the small players. The market leaders are getting into the game as well. Like Atlassian, which is introducing its Team Anywhere approach, or Dropbox, which allows its employees to work from home.
In this article, we look at the benefits of working remotely and share our tips for being productive anywhere.
5 Benefits of Remote Work
Wide talent pool
When recruiting for our team, we don't have to focus on specific regions or stick to geographical boundaries. For us, this is especially useful when recruiting IT professionals. Experienced people who fit our company can be anywhere. Whether you live in a small town or are a digital nomad, you are welcome to join us!
Remote work is a popular choice among developers, with 41% of them choosing to work outside of a traditional office setting, according to a Stack Overflow survey.
No commuting
Research shows that the average one-way travel time in the US is 28 minutes, and for 39% of Europeans it's more than 45 minutes. We don't want to waste our time, money and increase our carbon footprint. We can stay at home in a comfortable environment .
Increased inclusivity
Remote working doesn't exclude based on location and is more accessible for people with disabilities. Everyone can tailor their home office workspace to their own needs, with no additional noise or architectural barriers. Wear soft slippers or business attire, whatever makes you feel most comfortable.
Workation & travel
Your adventure can start as soon as you put your laptop in your suitcase. Workation is the new way to explore the world without taking a day off. Have you ever wanted to spend a week at a friend's cottage? Or go abroad for a month? Remote working doesn’t have to be limited to your city.
Cost-saving
Office maintenance and related costs are an extra expense for the company. We don’t have an office and all our team members are remote workers. What if some of our employees prefer to work in an office or need faster internet? We haven't had this situation yet, but one of the solutions is to pay for a coworking space pass.
5 Best Tips for Remote Work
If all you need is your computer, you can work from anywhere. Still, not everyone will adapt to the new way of working right away. How do you stay productive? Here are some of our best practices for working remotely.
Specified schedule
Working at peak productivity is a smart solution. Flexible schedules often go hand in hand with remote working. But in the age of emails and notifications, you may feel you need to be available 24/7. Always keep working and resting separately.
Create habits
Routine is closely related to the previous point. It allows your mind to know when it's time to do certain activities. Morning rituals are a great way to get into work mode. Start the day with a fresh cup of coffee and a comfortable outfit. In the late afternoon, close your laptop, leave your desk and feel relaxed after intense work.
Communication is key
Working remotely means that you are not sitting next to your boss's desk. Effective communication makes you visible in the work environment. Don't be afraid to schedule meetings and share your thoughts with team members. Take a proactive approach and regularly update your manager on your work.
Create a comfortable working environment
Working from anywhere is great, but it can be hard to focus when you are surrounded by distractions. If you work from home, try to have a dedicated space. If you work outside your home office, find a quiet, comfortable place. A pair of noise canceling headphones with pleasant music is highly recommended.
Take care of your security
Protecting your account access and data isn't a joke. Update your software regularly to fix bugs and prevent vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. Treat passwords like toothbrushes - don't share them! Use multi-factor authentication for added security. Avoid discussing important matters in public places and be suspicious of anything that could be a potential threat.
Bonus: Live offline!
Try to maintain a good work/life balance and look after your health. Take regular breaks and exercise to keep your body moving. If you fear loneliness when working remotely, try to find group activities in your area. Maybe even your remote colleagues wouldn't mind having coffee together? Give it a go!
Conclusion
Remote working is a great way to help employees achieve a better work-life balance, reduce maintenance costs, and find specialists around the world. To get the most out of it, remember to physically and mentally separate your time away from work. Don't be afraid to advocate for your needs and achievements. With that in mind, you and your team are ready to go remote!
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