The Future of Remote Work
Remote work and collaboration is the new standard, thanks to a revolutionary cultural shift in the business world due to COVID-19. Companies around the world, including NetCents, have embraced remote work and shifted the traditional office workforce for their employees to be able to work from home during this pandemic.
Without the hurdles of relocation, geography is becoming less important for those looking for employment - and those seeking new talent as well. Not only are companies saving more money on office space, but the pool of prospective employees is wider without having to relocate new hires. Potential candidates are now prioritizing quality of life and affordability, instead of proximity. Now, companies can truly find a best-fit candidate even if they don’t live within the driving distance of a local office. This will also lead to an overall more diverse workforce.
Not only has this changed the relationship between companies and their employees, but it has also impacted the local economies and cities and communities of all sizes. We can see the direct effects, rent prices have fallen and vacancies have risen in popular cities. It is now easier for smaller cities to compete with Silicon Valley and other major tech areas by launching campaigns to attract remote workers.
Although it is safe to assume not everyone is enjoying their time working from home, we know our team is. Some are looking to escape the chaos of family life and are looking forward to seeing their colleagues in person again. With the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and the gradual reopening of workplaces, more employers may be looking to get their employees back in the office, while most will continue to adopt the modern workforce or even a hybrid model (part-time in office and part-time working from home).
I believe remote work can generate both positive business results and better employee work-life integration, if a company and its employees can narrow in on a system that works best for them. In order to appeal to and support remote workers, communities will need to build out more complete ecosystems for them to live, work and gather with adequate broadband connectivity, of course.
How do you feel regarding the geo-shifting of work? Does your company plan on working at home, in-person, or a hybrid model for the rest of 2021?
