Virtual work is performed at a distance, while remote work allows you to be in an office or other fixed location. Virtual and remote workers both take part in the same job, regardless of their physical location.
There are a number of benefits for an employer to allow remote work, including access to a larger skill set and the ability to hire talent in overseas locations. Remote work also allows employees the freedom to work outside traditional office hours.
This article is going to explain the types of remote and virtual workers, as well as outline some of the benefits and risks associated with allowing your workforce to be mobile.
How Remote Work Can Revolutionize Your Business Prospects
Remote work is nothing new. It’s a time-honoured tradition, and it’s been a key component of many business models for centuries.
Technology has allowed more and more workers to be mobile, and there are now plenty of companies that allow employees to work remotely.
Whether you have someone working from home or using one of the many international offices you have set up across the world, you will want to make it easy for them to get their job done wherever they are – no matter what the circumstances or conditions.
Some of the benefits of working remotely include:
Lower Overhead Costs
You don’t need to maintain an office with expensive facilities, such as building and renting a desk space that’s next door to your employees.
This also means less stress for your employees because it allows them to focus on their jobs more easily without worrying about being “on-site”.
Outsourced Specialists
Being 100% remote as a business will allow you to hire and contract specialists if you don’t need a full-time team member.
Take HR, for example. Companies like The HR Dept are remote and virtual based teams, allowing companies to get the benefit of a full and experienced HR team without the need to have a full-time team on the payroll.
Convenience
Your employees won’t need to rush through the door for a 9-5 job and can fit work around their life.
You can work from home or in your own space, and you’ll have access to all your files, data, and information, as long as you have an internet connection.
That means less time doing unnecessary admin tasks and more time on what really matters.
Access To Incredible Talent
With remote work, you will have access to a much larger talent pool. Instead of being restricted by the location of your offices, you can hire talented employees from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
This obviously means employees who can’t relocate or don’t want to leave their home country, but it also gives you access to talent from places and regions that you may not have been able to find before.
Better Employee Flexibility
You have the full power to manage and control your team. Instead of relying on a fixed time slot or working to in-house rules and regulations, remote workers can work at any time they choose.
This gives you a great deal of flexibility, which may be something you’re looking for, and will certainly be something your employees will want.
New Markets
There are a number of countries around the world that you might want to expand your business into but may be unsure if you’ll be able to find the people you need.
With remote work, you can headhunt talent from all over the world and use employees wherever they happen to be based. If a worker is available and willing to relocate, then their location won’t matter.
Employee Retention
Remote workers don’t have to put up with endless commuting hours and can avoid the usual stresses associated with working in an office or in-house environment.
This means that workers will feel happier with their work and content with their jobs. They will be more loyal and spend less time looking for another job – and that’s good for everyone.
Improved Lead Time and Response Time
If your employees can work from just about anywhere, you’ll no longer have to worry about “office hours”, which means that lead times and response times can both be improved.
Remote Work: Risks And Challenges For Employers To Consider
While there are plenty of benefits, there are also some challenges that you’ll need to consider when employing remote workers.
These downsides may include:
- Lack of communication
- Lack of collaboration
- New employees can feel left out
- Difficulty building teams
