Why Go Remote? Benefits and Tips for Remote Workers

Changes in the workplace

For many people around the world, working remotely has become the new norm in recent years. Candidates are looking for remote job opportunities and employees don't want to leave their virtual offices. This wave has sparked a debate within companies. Which model is best - remote, hybrid or perhaps good old-fashioned in-house?

Remote working is not just for the small players. The market leaders are getting into the game as well. Like Atlassian, which is introducing its Team Anywhere approach, or Dropbox, which allows its employees to work from home.

Not every industry can offer a distributed work environment, but we believe that in many cases it is simply a fear of giving employees too much freedom.

We are remote-first from day one. Most of our team doesn't work 9 to 5, we don't have a physical office and we come from different countries. In this article, we look at the benefits of working remotely and share our tricks for being productive anywhere.

5 benefits of remote work

Wide talent pool

When recruiting for our team, we don't have to focus on specific regions or stick to geographical boundaries. For us, this is especially useful when recruiting IT professionals. Experienced people who fit our company can be anywhere. Whether you live in a small town or are a digital nomad, you are welcome to join us!

Remote work is a popular choice among developers, with 41% of them choosing to work outside of a traditional office setting, according to a Stack Overflow survey.

No commuting

Research shows that the average one-way travel time in the US is 28 minutes, and for 39% of Europeans it's more than 45 minutes. We don't want to waste our time, money and increase our carbon footprint. We can stay at home in a comfortable environment .

Increased inclusivity

Remote working doesn't exclude based on location and is more accessible for people with disabilities. Everyone can tailor their home office workspace to their own needs, with no additional noise or architectural barriers. Wear soft slippers or business attire, whatever makes you feel most comfortable.

Workation & travel

Your adventure can start as soon as you put your laptop in your suitcase. Workation is the new way to explore the world without taking a day off. Have you ever wanted to spend a week at a friend's cottage? Or go abroad for a month? Remote working doesn’t have to be limited to your city.

Cost-saving

Office maintenance and related costs are an extra expense for the company. We don’t have an office and all our team members are remote workers. What if some of our employees prefer to work in an office or need faster internet? We haven't had this situation yet, but one of the solutions is paying a coworking pass.

6 Best tips for remote work

If you only need your computer to work, then it can be done from anywhere. Still, not everyone will adapt to the new work style immediately. How can you stay productive? Here are some of our best remote working practices.

Specified schedule

Working at peak productivity is a smart solution. Flexible schedules often go hand in hand with remote working. But in the age of emails and notifications, you may feel you need to be available 24/7. Always keep working and resting separately.

Create habits

Routine is closely related to the previous point. It allows your mind to know when it's time to do certain activities. Morning rituals are a great way to get into work mode. Start the day with a fresh cup of coffee and a comfortable outfit. In the late afternoon, close your laptop, leave your desk and feel relaxed after intense work.

Communication is key

Working remotely means that you are not sitting next to your boss's desk. Effective communication makes you visible in the work environment. Don't be afraid to schedule meetings and share your thoughts with team members. Take a proactive approach and regularly update your manager on your work.

Create a comfortable working environment

Working from anywhere is great, but it can be hard to focus. If you work from home, try to have a dedicated space. If you work outside the home office, find a quiet place with no distractions. A pair of noise canceling headphones with pleasant music is highly recommended.

Take care of your security

Protecting your account access and data isn't a joke. Update your software regularly to fix bugs and prevent vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. Treat passwords like toothbrushes - don't share them. Use multi-factor authentication for added security. Avoid discussing important matters in public places and be suspicious of anything that could be a potential threat.

Live offline

Try to maintain a good work/life balance and look after your health. Take regular breaks and exercise to keep your body moving. If you fear loneliness when working remotely, try to find group activities in your area. Maybe even your remote colleagues wouldn't mind having coffee together? Give it a go!

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Conclusion

Remote working is a great way to help employees achieve a better work-life balance, reduce maintenance costs, and find specialists around the world. To get the most out of it, remember to physically and mentally separate your time away from work. Don't be afraid to advocate for your needs and achievements. With that in mind, you and your team are ready to go remote!

Sources:

• Stack Overflow 2023 Developer Survey, n=73,810 respondents
• United States Commuting At A Glance: American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates
• Michael Page research - THE EUROPEAN COMMUTE: calm and relaxed or stressful and inefficient?