While remote work is not a new trend, it is a new solution for a lot of companies across the globe that might not have thought it was a possible option. Since the global onset of COVID-19, millions of businesses switched to a hybrid or full-time work from home (WFH) model with varying top-level support to continue the practice two years later. However, according to a 2022 study for the State of Remote Work, 97% of current remote workers wish to work remotely for the rest of their career. Moreover, only a marginal 3% of respondents said they do not recommend it to others. While many companies continue to push their workforce back to their cubicles, thousands of employees are leaving their positions to make the shift to partial or full remote work. Is this truly the better solution?
Budget Considerations
Consider the budget of a traditional business: real estate rental fees, utility rates, maintenance fees, cleaning supplies, insurance — the cost adds up. Even the hidden fees of traveling to meet a client for lunch make an extreme impact on a growing business. A recent study from Global Workplace Analytics noted that even based on conservative assumptions, a typical U.S. employer can save an average of $11,000 per half-time telecommuter per year. Not only does this save the company money, it also allows employees to save anywhere between $600 to $6,000 of their own annual income. Employees save by reducing their own expenditures on car maintenance, gas, travel, food and parking associated with their typical commutes. A tight labor market makes every penny count for employee retention, so why not save both the employer and employee money while reinvesting in their growth and quality of life?
It is possible with the right tools to make the shift to a full remote work model and reinvest this money back into individual WFH workspaces while saving tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. As you offer employees the ability to work from home, it is important to offer them WFH workspaces best suited for their style and communication needs.
Connect with Your Employees
Carve out a time to speak with your employees about their technological needs. Furthermore, revisit the discussion throughout the year. Build in an annual home office budget that can help an employee upgrade their space. Not every employee will need a multi-thousand-dollar ergonomic chair. There are many simple and cost-effective solutions to drastically improve the functionality of an office setup and increase overall morale.
Fostering Collaboration from Thousands of Miles Away
Investing in high-quality tech for telecommunication is not just a pandemic safety measure. It is also a savings technique. By minimizing the need for business-related travel, an employer can save thousands annually on gas cards, hotels, flights, meals and more. The time and money spent on meeting in person redistribute back to the company for increased wages, better equipment, employee retention or other growth investments.
Culturally, video calls have become stale since the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic. Zoom alone reports over 300 million users with daily meeting participation in 2021, and that number is expected to grow over the next decade with the rise of virtual meeting spaces like Meta. As companies make the permanent switch to virtual communication, it is necessary to provide the tools for the best communication experience possible. Crisp audio and webcams with clear, high-frame-rate images are this decade’s version of a freshly pressed suit.
Desktop Versatility
Laptops can be versatile and highly agile devices. However, it is important to have the ability to switch to a larger set-up for multitasking or from documents to spreadsheets. Long gone are the days of confinement to a cubicle. The use of double monitors, Bluetooth-powered keyboards and computer mice, and portable high-definition portable webcams allow employees to edit and rearrange a WFH workspace for their needs, even if that changes throughout the day.
Foolproof, plug-and-play devices can minimize time spent transitioning from a desk to the table. Moreover, they save an employee the hassle of a more antiquated stationary set-up. Combined audio and video systems like the Toucan Conference System HD with omnidirectional microphones and 1080p 60 fps video quality weigh a little over two pounds and serve as a multipurpose alternative to a heavier desktop or a factory-setting laptop system. Double-duty conference speakers can also serve as audio players for those who desire background noise to help with their concentration.
