Now that 58% of Americans are working from home at least one day a week, the business landscape has dramatically changed. Remote work is certainly here to stay, and between 25% and 30% of Americans are estimated to work entirely from home by 2025.
Not only have the business dynamics of companies shifted, but other surprising changes have also occurred as well. From reduced air pollution due to less commuting to an increase in the birth rate, remote work offers numerous benefits across the board.
Environmental Benefits of Remote Work
From saving paper and reducing plastic usage to cleaner air, remote work has a significant positive environmental impact.
1. Significantly reduced carbon emissions
The average commuter creates 3.2 tons of carbon dioxide emissions a day, driving an average of 32 miles. For employees, commuting creates 98% of their carbon footprint. Not only is the footprint of a commute reduced with remote work, but companies also use fewer resources to power, cool, heat, and occupy physical office spaces. For example, office space for people would create roughly 234 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, which is almost double the emissions of working from home. This is also improving air quality in big cities and the suburbs.
2. Usage of cleaner technology sources
Companies use lots of different tools, cloud providers, platforms, and software to run their day-to-day operations. Data centers take up a huge chunk of those resources, generating 3% of the US total electricity use. When companies work remotely without a headquarters, they’re able to explore more flexible, sustainable technology options. For example, cloud data storage centers like AWS committed to 100% sustainable servers by 2030. On-site data centers are extremely cost-effective to maintain and gobble up natural resources. With remote working, companies are not constrained to a physical location and can seek out alternative, cleaner technology sources.
3. Less paper and plastic usage
Employees are less likely to print hefty documents or use single-use plastic when they’re working from home. A “paperless” home office can save as much as 14.7 pounds of carbon dioxide. Workers use fewer office supplies in general, and companies can again reduce their physical footprint when they don’t have to physically store tons of files and paperwork.
Cultural Benefits of Remote Work
For both working parents and the general public, remote work offers better work-life balance, increased productivity and flexibility, and more opportunities to focus on wellness.
1. Increased quality of life for working parents
Working parents are often spread thin, but a shift to remote work has led to better work-life balance, a reduction in stress, less time commuting, and more time spent with family and children. Working mothers are 32% less likely to leave their jobs if they’re allowed to work from home, creating more financial stability for their families. Working parents have more flexibility with their schedules when working remotely and feel more balanced than when they’re forced to go into an office every day.
2. Improved mental health
97% of people say that having a more flexible job would improve their quality of life. Remote working means less stress around the daily commute, and in lower socioeconomic areas, workers have the opportunity to seek out a higher-paying job without uprooting their life.
3. Improved physical health
77% of people said that a remote job would help them be physically healthier, giving them time for walks, breaks, and exercise. Remote workers can also make healthier, cheaper meals at home versus spending money on over-processed fast food and snacks. Workers feel less burned out, physically and mentally.
Business Benefits of Remote Work
While remote working is beneficial to employees, it’s also positive for their employers.
1. Reduced costs
Businesses can save up to $11,000 per employee when working remotely, which can add up quickly with hundreds of workers. Companies save on overhead costs and resources and can use smaller office spaces for occasional co-working. Research shows remote work could save US companies $500 billion annually, allowing them to spend that saved money on investments in technology, more skilled employees, better benefits, and more. For example, companies can invest in vanity phone numbers from 800.com over huge call centers.
2. Increased employee retention
Remote workers are also less likely to quit their jobs, reducing hiring and onboarding costs. It costs roughly $4,000 just to hire a new employee, and flexible remote working allows employees to stay in a job longer.
3. Increased focus and productivity
It’s estimated that companies lose $600 billion annually to workplace distractions, and remote workers are often 35% to 40% more productive. There are fewer interruptions, and employees can cultivate their preferred working environment without worrying about office politics.
Remote Work is the Future
Remote working offers a slew of benefits across American society. From positive environmental impacts to improved mental health to tighter-knit families, the opportunities are endless. As more companies explore remote working, we can expect more research to show the long-term impacts of at-home work environments.
