The Risks of Not Adopting a Liberal Remote Workforce Policy

In today's job market, a liberal remote workforce policy is not just a perk but a necessity for companies seeking to retain top talent. The modern employee values flexibility as much as salary. A study by Buffer on the State of Remote Work highlights that the ability to work from anywhere is not just preferred but expected by employees in the tech industry and beyond.

Companies that fail to offer remote work options may find themselves at a disadvantage, particularly when competing for younger talent. Millennials and Gen Z workers have shown a strong preference for remote work, with Deloitte's surveys revealing that flexible working arrangements are a top priority for this demographic, second only to a positive work-life balance.

Employee morale and productivity may also suffer from the absence of remote work options. According to a Harvard Business Review article, there is a favorable relationship between increased employee performance and happiness with working remotely. Businesses that disregard these results may have trouble attracting and retaining new employees as well as with retention.

In addition, remote labor has become a health and safety concern due to the COVID-19 pandemic's longevity. Companies without remote rules risk reputational harm in addition to resignations. According to Forbes, prospective employers are being evaluated by their employees depending on how they handled the pandemic.

Finally, a strict position on office work might have a financial impact on staff members, who might quit for jobs that save money on transportation and other work-related costs. According to research from Global Workplace Analytics, there are financial benefits associated with working remotely in addition to convenience.

References:

Buffer: The 2021 State of Remote Work, https://buffer.com/state-of-remote-work/2021

Deloitte: Millennial Survey 2021, https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/millennialsurvey.html

Harvard Business Review: The Implications of Working Without an Office, https://hbr.org/2020/08/the-implications-of-working-without-an-office

Forbes: How The Coronavirus Pandemic Is Accelerating The Future Of Work, https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2020/03/30/how-the-coronavirus-pandemic-is-accelerating-the-future-of-work/

Global Workplace Analytics: Work-At-Home After Covid-19—Our Forecast, https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/work-at-home-after-covid-19-our-forecast