4 Reasons Why Employees Still Prefer WFH in 2022 — and How To Effectively Manage It

A Future of Work Study conducted by consulting firm Accenture in 2021 found that the vast majority of workers still prefer a hybrid work model, with more than half of “high-growth companies” already adopting a “productivity anywhere” approach to the traditional workforce. 

In fact, experts say that remote work will even increase through 2023, which means that employers have to adjust to this significant shift in the mindset of existing and potential employees of organisations everywhere. Employee well-being is a priority for many these days. 

And with the Great Resignation happening all around the world, it’s important to understand the key reasons why remote work is continuing to grow in popularity with employees everywhere — despite the fact that many in the workforce are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 — and how to optimise this situation for employee retention and recruitment. 

1. Flexibility

The pandemic has accelerated digitalisation plans all around the world, but many argue that this shift towards the digital sphere was already in motion prior to the pandemic. This has also led to a shift in priorities for the average worker, with employees now looking for a degree of flexibility in their day-to-day work. 

This isn’t necessarily something that is exclusive to working from home; there are a number of modern work models that can combine flexibility with other benefits for both employers and employees. These include: 

• Global hiring 
• Hybrid work models
• Flexible hours
• Etc. 
  

Consider changing the way you measure work, with a focus on results and deliverables instead of the more traditional approach of measuring the work hours, or even the physical locations of your employees. 

2. Efficiency and productivity 

Ironically, flexible work arrangements such as work-from-home models can even result in a boost in productivity for many employees. This can be attributed to the potential of flexible models in enabling a more efficient use of time for many — particularly when you factor in the usual costs (in time) of commuting, alternate arrangements for family/kids, and other external factors. 

Multiple reports have confirmed this, with as many as 68 percent of enterprise respondents believing that remote work has boosted employee productivity during the pandemic. There are certainly challenges to effectively managing a remote or hybrid workforce, but with investment into the right digital tools, the benefits of working from home can be reaped by companies of all sizes. 

Some examples include: 

• Daily check-ins with altHR
• Project management 
• Virtual phone lines with Omni Hotline 
• End-to-end HR management with altHR
  

Read more about how Digi-X successfully manages a hybrid workforce here.

3. A global pool of employers

We recently spoke to the Co-Founder of a prominent Malaysian-bred startup, who explained that a high percentage of their team worked in different regions outside of Malaysia. Besides implementing a unique four-day work week, the company also reaped the benefits of having access to a global talent pool, allowing them to hire the very best fits for the organisation. 

This works the other way round, too, with workers now able to look for remote work from all over the world. It doesn’t necessarily need to be full-time employment, either, with many platforms out there empowering freelancers to source projects and work from all over the world. This, of course, is an extension of working from home — although many choose to work from co-working spaces, or even Wi-Fi-equipped cafes. 

The world is your oyster! 

4. Cost-saving

Working from home can also be a cost-saving measure, with reduced expenditure required from employers on office space, utilities, and other workplace-related costs. From the employees’ point of view, working from home also allows them to save on costs like commuting, vehicle maintenance, or even nanny fees for those who are parents. 

This comes with a caveat, however, with work-from-home models requiring stable and fast connectivity, as well as the right equipment (such as furniture, devices) to ensure a conducive working environment. Consider working out a subsidy/benefits programme with your employees, allowing them to offset some of these costs — you’ll be saving on expenditure otherwise allocated to the physical workplace, in any case.