Ditching the office: The perks of remote work
Have you been working the same old 9 to 5 job for more time than you’d care to admit? Do you feel caught in a cycle of clocking in, sitting in front of a computer and working on uninspiring projects in the hopes that the day is over as soon as possible? If this hits close to home, you might be surprised to know that you’re not alone. Just last year, The Wall Street Journal reported that although job satisfaction had been at its highest point in ten years, more than half of U.S. workers still felt unhappy with their current situation.
Although this paints a grim picture, the good news is that you don’t have to buy into it. The times they are a-changin’, and with the advent of technology, software development no longer has to be relegated to the realm of stuffy offices, inflexible schedules and annoying coworkers. In fact, you could do everything from the comfort of your own home — pants optional.
From an employee’s point of view, it’s easy to understand the appeal of working remotely. In contrast with more traditional jobs at brick and mortar institutions, you have the independence to approach tasks as you see fit, as well as the flexibility of choosing when and where you work. Feel like getting coffee one day? How about hanging out at your friend’s place? Maybe a beach day sounds appealing. As long as you have an Internet connection, you could code almost anywhere.
According to a survey conducted by TINYpulse in 2016, you might also find yourself in a better mood, seeing as people working remotely reported feeling happier, more valued and more productive than other workers.
Now, what about those on the other side? For employers looking to capitalize on the growing opportunities afforded through remote work, now is as good a time as ever to take the leap. When distance is no longer an object, you will have access to more talented developers than ever at your fingertips. The benefits enjoyed by your workers will also transform into one of your company’s biggest assets as you witness increased productivity, higher levels of engagement and top-quality work being delivered consistently.
By hiring remote software developers you will likely also save on infrastructure and other overhead costs — valuable income that you can have at your disposal for other purposes. If they’re happy doing their work, chances are they will also be less likely to leave, and this decrease in employee turnover will also translate into more savings (and less headaches) for you.
Sometimes the answer you’re looking for can be standing right under your nose. Whether you’re a software developer dissatisfied with your current job or someone looking to revitalize their business, you might just need to ditch the office and change things up. Who knows where it could take you? With the future of remote work looking so promising, it’s about time you get in on the action.
