Why Start-Ups Should Offer Remote Work Options

When the pandemic first struck all the way back in the spring of 2020, there was a general assumption that we would collectively resume our pre-Covid patterns of office-based working once the pandemic came to an end. Yet, nearly four years on, that's not quite how things have panned out.

A recent survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans reveals that approximately three-quarters (74%) of employers now provide hybrid work options – impressive considering how, in 2019, just 4.7% of employees worked from home in the UK. Start-up businesses have been at the forefront of embracing remote work because of their need for flexibility, adaptability, and cost-efficiency, setting the stage for the future of work.

It remains very popular now. Findings from the World Economic Forum indicate that most employees (68%) prefer hybrid work arrangements, with only 28% desiring full-time remote work and eight per cent preferring full-time on-site work. So, is hybrid-remote work here to stay?

If the corporate leaders of the world had their way, the answer would be a loud and resounding no. Goldman Sachs is pushing for employees to return to the office five days a week, while Google is going as far as factoring in-office attendance into their performance evaluations.

Even companies that jumped on the remote/hybrid work bandwagon in 2020-21 have changed their tunes. Salesforce is a prime example. In the wake of the pandemic and the shift to working from home, they boldly claimed the ‘9-to-5 workday is dead’ when they announced that employees would only come into the office a few days a week. Since then, their CEO, Marc Benioff, has changed his tune. During an appearance on the "On With Kara Swisher" podcast, Benioff asserted that new hires perform better when physically present in the office for meetings, onboarding, and training.

Despite this resistance, there are many benefits of remote working, especially for start-ups. In today’s article we will discuss the reasons why employers want their teams to return to the office and why forcing them back may not be the best solution. We will also share some practical tips for start-up founders so their remote workers can succeed in this new era of work.

Why are Employers Pushing for a Return to the Office?

So, why are employers so eager to get their employees back into the office? There are a few different reasons. Primarily, it revolves around the belief that in-person interactions foster collaboration, maintain company culture, and optimise productivity through spontaneous idea exchanges.

While these reasons are perfectly reasonable, recent research from the University of Birmingham paints a different picture. Their study surveyed 597 UK managers across various industries and company sizes, revealing that 52% of managers agreed that working from home improves concentration, 60% noted improved productivity, and 63% stated increased motivation. This shift in perspective challenges the longstanding belief that remote work leads to distractions and reduced productivity, highlighting a disconnect between senior management and frontline managers.

Beyond these benefits of working from home, employees want to work from home. While certain employees may welcome a return to the office, particularly younger workers who often value the social aspects of office life, many others remain hesitant. In a recent poll, 65% of workers expressed an indefinite preference for remote work, citing reasons such as the flexibility, autonomy, and improved work-life balance that remote work offers.

There are other contributing factors as well, from no longer needing to daily commute, which has long been a source of stress and exhaustion for many people, to the high cost of childcare for working parents. Given all this, it is perfectly understandable why people would want to work from home – if they can lead healthier lives, save money, and strike a better work-life balance while still being productive and effective at work, then why would they want to return to the office?

Why Should Companies Embrace Remote Work Rather Than Resist Change?

Business leaders must acknowledge and understand how their employees feel. Going all-in on the return to the office and trying to force employees back to the office may be a terrible mistake for companies in the long term. A recent Randstad study found that more than half of workers consider flexibility as "non-negotiable," it's clear that rigid return-to-office mandates risk alienating valuable talent and may lead to increased turnover, recruitment costs, and diminished employee morale and performance – which can ultimately negatively impact your business performance. There has to be a better solution: one that prioritises employee wellbeing and productivity while also meeting the needs of the business.?

Instead of trying to force employees back into the office, companies should focus on finding ways to support their success in a hybrid/remote work environment. While it presents its own set of challenges, there are numerous benefits for companies that embrace hybrid/remote work, including increased employee satisfaction, higher retention rates, reduced overhead costs, and access to a broader talent pool.?

How Can Start-Ups Support Success in a Hybrid/Remote Work Environment?

Expanding on previous discussions about how start-ups can improve remote teams, it's clear that companies need to invest in the necessary infrastructure and technology to support remote collaboration and communication. Providing employees with access to reliable internet connections, collaborative software tools, and virtual meeting platforms is essential for maintaining seamless workflows and facilitating effective teamwork.?

This is just the first step. Once the IT infrastructure is in place, companies need to foster a culture of trust and autonomy. Empowering employees to manage their own schedules and workspaces can promote a sense of ownership and accountability, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. Companies should also prioritise ongoing communication and feedback mechanisms to stay connected with remote teams. Regular check-ins, team meetings, and virtual social events can help create a sense of belonging and camaraderie, even in a distributed work setting where people are on the other side of the world.

It is also important to acknowledge the challenges of fully remote work. Onboarding and integrating junior employees into a remote work environment present unique challenges that require innovative solutions. The absence of face-to-face interaction and direct mentorship can hinder the learning curve and newcomers' sense of belonging. Implementing structured remote pair-working sessions is a promising strategy to address this.

Pair-working sessions involve pairing a junior employee with a more experienced colleague within the same team or department to collaborate on tasks, projects, or training exercises. This setup provides several benefits for both the junior employee and the organisation as a whole, providing a structured framework for learning and integration. By delineating clear objectives, tasks, and milestones, the organisation ensures that junior employees receive comprehensive training and exposure to various aspects of their roles. This structured approach also means managers can track progress, identify areas for improvement, and provide timely feedback to facilitate continuous growth. By leveraging the collective knowledge and experience of the team, organisations can expedite the learning curve, encourage meaningful connections, and build a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Start-ups can succeed in the hybrid/remote era with a multifaceted approach that includes technological investment and infrastructure development and a strong emphasis on nurturing a supportive and inclusive work culture. By recognising the importance of both technological resources and human connections, start-ups can create an environment where remote teams thrive.

Conclusion

So, it is clear that remote teams are becoming a permanent fixture in the modern workplace. Rather than resisting change, start-ups should embrace it and implement processes to build stronger teams. By embracing remote work and adapting to its challenges, companies can harness its potential to drive innovation, collaboration, and success.