The multiple benefits of a mobile workforce

Allowing employees to work remotely, from home or on the go is beneficial to people and organizations alike. Here are 4 reasons why…

Remote working, whether it’s from the train into work, from a home office or from a café, is becoming increasingly popular with both businesses and employees.

With the advance of portable technology and digital platforms to aid mobile collaboration, the mobile workforce is continuing to grow. Around 43% of Americans say they now work remotely either full or part-time.

Here are the top reasons why mobile working is beneficial, not only for employees but for businesses too.

1. A mobile workforce keeps costs down

All businesses, particularly small businesses and start-ups, need to try to keep expenses to a minimum. But hiring enough staff to cope with growing demand means creating more workspace, which costs more money — a catch-22 for an expanding business.

Plus, as well as the expense, there’s the time and distraction involved in finding and settling into new premises.

Having freedom and flexibility to work remotely boost employee engagement

Encouraging employees to work remotely one or two days a week can save on some of these costs. It can reduce bills too, as fewer people will be using workplace utilities.

2. Flexible working boosts employee engagement

Research shows that having the freedom and flexibility to work remotely boosts employee engagement. This can quickly reflect in a company’s productivity.

People can cut the commute — meaning a less stressful start and end to the day

And it’s hardly surprising that employees value the option. ‘Anywhere working’ using portable technology means people can carry out their tasks during the hours that suit them.

This often enables them to cut out the commute to and from work — meaning a less stressful start and the end to the day.

3. Mobile working can boost recruitment

According to a Powwownow survey [1], 70% of workers feel that offering flexible working makes a job more attractive to them.

And from an organization’s point of view, allowing mobile working means a much wider pool of job candidates are available to them.

70% of workers think flexible working makes a job look more attractive

Geography is less of a barrier if people don’t have to come into the workplace every day. And jobs can be more accessible to people with disabilities, giving employers the chance to benefit from their talents.

4. Mobile working increases productivity

Being able to work on the move means people can use previously ‘dead’ time, like travel to off-site meetings, more productively. And mobile collaboration tools, like Workplace, enable people to take part in meetings, share ideas and stay connected, wherever they are.

Studies suggest that voluntary home workers take less time off work

When employees work remotely from home, productivity can be boosted even further. A Stanford study [2] found that voluntary work-from-homers were far less likely to finish work early, begin late, take breaks and full hour-long lunches.

They even took less time off over a 6-month period. Bloom’s study proves that just because employees are working off-site doesn’t mean they’re off the radar.

In fact, with more and more businesses expanding into different countries, having tools to collaborate with off-site employees is essential.

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[1] Flexible Working in 2017, Powwownow
[2] A 2-Year Stanford Study Shows the Astonishing Productivity Boost of Working From Home, Inc.com

Originally published at www.workplace.com.