Working in PJs: Why Remote Work Is Here to Stay for the Better

TL; DR: This article explores the new normal of remote work to outline key remote work benefits for 2023. Considering the aspects impacting remote work for businesses and talent alike, this blog is a quick run-down of main considerations for working from home and upholding IT remote positions, which include flexibility, cutting back on costs, accessing a wider talent pool and improved talent satisfaction and retention. It also outlines four remote work trends along the lines of communication and results oriented practices in hybrid work models, and more.  

The phone may be ringing, but our mute button has got us. Our child may be sleeping or need feeding, and our cats may be jumping all over our keyboard, but we’re happy working in our PJs if needed. By now, we’ve seen millions of people showing underpants and colored socks underneath work jackets and tight suits. Google Meet and Microsoft Teams’ background pictures, let alone Zoom’s and other virtual platforms’, are getting more inventive by the day, and we all know our work culture has changed to be more accepting of our working spaces back home. That’s because, as Forbes has reported, people want better freedom and flexibility at work right now, whether that means staying at home to be with their families, pets, being all by themselves drinking juice in their pyjamas, or working out of anywhere they choose. This panoramic is the basis for my new blog article. 

Taking those circumstances for a given, we’re going over reduced overhead costs, increased productivity, and a better work-life balance for our talent today as companies have reported saving up to 30% on office expenses by switching to a remote work model. Let’s explore what’s made the remote work trend a reality by covering its multiple benefits, emerging developments, and what the future holds for us in that sense. Got your mug and a comfy spot to read this? We’re glad you’re here.  

Multiplied Benefits and Lots of Virtual High-Fives for Remote IT Work  

Remote work has proven to be a game-changer for talent as much as companies. By working in our chosen surroundings, talent is now reporting higher levels of job satisfaction and a better work-life balance. Studies have also shown that remote work can lead to increased productivity as talent are free to work during their most productive hours and avoid office distractions.  

Looking back at 2022 for a minute, remote workers in 15 out of 17 markets earned an average of $3,000 more that year than their in-office counterparts, because, of course, we haven’t even mentioned commuting costs and time demands here, yet. We’ll get there!  

For now, let’s just say the wide list of remote work benefits that this model brings to the table are now 

well established, and companies are increasingly embracing virtual work environments as a way to 

attract and retain top talent. That’s also a heavy marker on this topic; remote options are now an 

employer advantage in most cases. However, other benefits of a remote work environment include: 

1. Increased Flexibility 

A virtual workforce allows people to work from any location with an internet connection. This factor already provides unparalleled flexibility! It’s particularly beneficial for single parents who would otherwise have to cover expensive sums in childcare just to make a living. All sorts of families can now schedule work around their particular needs while avoiding the stress and cost of commuting. Virtual teams can also operate across multiple time zones, allowing 24/7 coverage and increased productivity for any company. 

2. Access to a Wider Talent Pool 

When a company works as a remote-first business the way Nearsure does, we can hire people located in any particular part of the world based on their skills and experience rather than fixed locations. This also means businesses can gain access to wider talent pools to not restrict themselves to a certain perimeter, but to hire the best talent for the specific IT remote position, for example, and/or who are better aligned with their organizational culture. This benefit is particularly advantageous for organizations in niche industries, where the pool of local talent may be limited.  

Remote work also provides opportunities for companies to diversify their workforce and hire employees with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Doing so can lead to greater innovation and creativity within any company. 

3. Lower Costs 

One of the most significant advantages of having a virtual workforce is cost savings. With a virtual team, companies may no longer need to lease office space nor cover expensive utilities and other services such as meals and transportation, which can amount to a significant line of expense cuts. Reducing overhead costs that way, organizations can allocate funds to other business areas, such as hiring more staff, investing in technology and powerful digital transformations, or increasing marketing efforts.  

Additionally, as we promised earlier, virtual teams can naturally help talent reduce expenses related to commuting, parking, and other related costs.  

In case this wasn’t absolutely clear, the cost savings associated with remote work can easily result in a more efficient and profitable organization for everyone. 

4. Improved Employee Satisfaction and Retention 

This should probably have been our starting remote work benefit as this kind of work modality can more importantly lead to higher levels of employee satisfaction and retention. People who are working from home report greater job satisfaction due to increased flexibility and autonomy over their workday, and what’s not to like about working with people who are happier doing what they were hired to do? In the case of Nearsure, for instance, our 100% remote mindset functions on a basis of trust, but also on the principle that we love working with people who are at their best to do what they know best. The model seems to work all the way around for everyone! Seen in terms of figures and productivity, providing employees with a better work-life balance can increase talent loyalty and reduce turnover. 

Related Read: Top Remote Developer Benefits In Today’s Compensation Packages 

5. Reduced Environmental Impact: We also Have a Planet to Consider 

Moreover, virtual teams have a positive impact on the environment. By cutting back on the need for employees to commute to work and have a big office, organizations reduce carbon emissions and lower their carbon footprint. Virtual teams also reduce the amount of waste that traditional office spaces generate, which means cutting back on paper waste and energy consumption, amongst other climate-related expenses.   

4 Trends on Working Remotely in 2023 

Like I said, remote work continues to gain traction as the new normal. Because of that, businesses are paying closer attention to the emerging trends, which are also indicative of work modalities’ changing nature. There’s a big spotlight on companies’ need to adapt to a remote workforce and its clear demands. Let’s check a few of the latest remote work trends out for this year:  

1. Hybrid Work Models 

So, not everyone might be ready to let you work solo, out of the comfort of any place you’d like to suit your business goals in a work routine of your choice. In their defense, some industries might need person-to-person live interaction. Here’s where hybrid work models come into place.  

By far not a new practice, many companies have embraced having talent split their time between working from home and working in the office. Doing so provides teams with a sort of flexibility to balance work and personal responsibilities while still maintaining some face-to-face interaction with colleagues. Let’s just say this must be a balance between the famous “best of both worlds” to some degree. Yet, I’d also like to acknowledge how much hybrid models might still be insufficient for talent seeking to stay competitive in a worldwide tech market, for instance. 

2. Greater Infrastructure Investment 

With more employees working off-site, organizations are now investing in virtual infrastructure to ensure their teams have the technology and tools needed to work from home effectively. This includes a range of solutions, such as video conferencing software, cloud-based collaboration tools, and cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data.  

3. Saying It Right! An Emphasis on Communication 

Though remote work sounds more lenient, the truth is that it requires a lot more effective messaging, as well. Being able to communicate well online is crucial in a remote working environment. Therefore, many companies adopt asynchronous communication tools such as Slack or Teams to foster team communication. The beauty of these tools is their added flexibility at allowing people to reach out to each other at their own pace. On the other hand, organizations are more heavily taxed with the need for managing clear and consistent interaction to ensure remote teams stay connected, engaged, and productive. 

4. A Greater Focus on Results-based Performance 

Now, maybe I would’ve loved to leave productivity out of this long consideration of remote work. However, being honest, this remote-first structure can make it challenging for companies to track their staff’s productive results. While we remove ourselves from any hardware monitoring at Nearsure, we also believe and trust our teams to stay focused on their roles as needed. We also keep our growth, professionalism, and career paths in check with internal measures for advancement. However, many other companies find themselves shifting their focus from “hours worked” to “results achieved.” The plus side to this approach is how much it emphasizes the quality and quantity of work completed by team members rather than the amount of time they spend in front of a computer. 

So, as part of our remote work tips, reap the benefits of remote work! 

As remote work gains momentum, it’s becoming increasingly clear that it’s not just a temporary solution, but a permanent and desirable way of working for many. By embracing remote work, organizations can attract and retain top talent while benefiting from increased productivity, reduced costs, and improved work-life balance. Employers who are ready to adapt to this new way of working and prioritize their employees’ well-being can certainly be better positioned to thrive in today’s competitive job market. 

Also, did you note how we failed to address COVID-19 all throughout this article, almost? 

Undoubtedly a booster for our current remote work modality, we purposely left this topic out until now not to make the pandemic an enormous argument why remote work is here to stay. We’ve known a lot about that, already. The recent health crisis seismically shifted how we work while adapting to remote work during lockdown, but that’s been all over the news and our bodies for a long time now. It’s in our memories and it’s also a tiring time to remember as we quickly move over to our new normalcy.  

We’d rather send our congratulations to you for making it this far and support you in living the life of your dreams, doing what you love wherever you choose to be located.  

As a remote-first company, we’d love to explore how our remote tech talent can help businesses thrive while we seize great opportunities for amazing tech talent in the region.  

Are you looking for a new job role? Check out our Careers page.