Working from home is no longer a temporary fix and seems to be the solution that both employees and employers around the globe are turning to during these unprecedented times. Remote work gives each person the opportunity to choose a workplace that best suits them, and with this, both employees and employers get to reap the benefits. We have taken some time to research the benefits of working from home and can confirm, it’s worth some REAL consideration. Enjoy the read and let us help you weigh up the big decision.
- Zero commute – Time can be reinvested
Among Australians who travel to and from full-time employment, an average of four hours and ten minutes is spent commuting per week. Not only do these hours add up, they also don’t guarantee you arriving to work on time or returning home at a reasonable hour. The software company Deputy, analysed over 400,000 shifts for a report which revealed that 40% of them were started late, and over half of these workers claim that traffic and public transport were the cause. With no morning commute, both employees and employers can have peace of mind knowing work will be started on time and without commuting delays that are out of their control.
With these hours reclaimed, more time can be spent easing into the mornings, spending some quality time with the family, enjoying some morning exercise, or simply jumping online early to get a productive head start on the day.
In a Human Resources Development (HRD) study, stats reported that 42% of people claim they are working longer hours from home than in the office. Though longer hours are not necessarily encouraged, being in the comfort of your own home whilst working overtime or work simply having the opportunity to work more flexible hours proves to show great benefits to all involved.
Bearing this in mind, it is important that your home office is set up in such a way that you can create a good work/life balance. Putting healthy boundaries in place so that you create separation from work and have appropriate time to switch off each day. We recommend forming a defined office space within your home, as this will assist you to establish what areas are for work, and what areas are for relaxation and family time. Ideally a space where you can shut the door and be well and truly done for the day.
2. Better work life balance – Increased happiness and flexibility
With the daily commute to work cut out, additional flexibility is achieved, and more time can be spent on personal commitments. This might mean, making it to a 5:30pm gym class, being able to pick up the kids from school or even enjoying just a few more hours sleep.
7 out of 10 Australian respondents in an HRD report believed that their work-life balance had improved thanks to remote working, with a staggering 86% saying they had a greater appreciation for life outside their workplace.
COVID was an extreme case in forcing many professionals to either permanently or part-time work from home, and this hybrid model of blending both work types has become a preferred arrangement among many workplaces. In 2020, a report during COVID by Swinburne University of Technology Australia, found that only 10% of employees believe they will not work from home in the future. With statistics so favoured to this WFH lifestyle, it is worth researching and looking into how you can set up your home office in the most efficient way, to enjoy this continued flexible lifestyle.
3. Increased savings – Money can be invested elsewhere
A surprising yet exciting statistic that has come to light with increased remote working, is the cost savings for both employees and employers.
With less commuting days, considerable money can be saved on not only travel, but also the surrounding personal expenses. Australia ranks second as the most expensive public transport in the world, with an average of $104.00 spent per month. Tie this in with personal expenses for lunches, clothing, makeup/ hair products, etc. Australians spend a lot of money to get to and from work and present themselves appropriately, each day.
For employers, leasing costs and utilities are the two main sectors that can be slashed. With CBRE reporting increased vacancy rates during and after Covid, it is clear that companies are downsizing to cut costs, but to also accommodate for the increased remote lifestyle. With less employees in the office, a smaller footprint can be optimised, thus decreasing rent, utilities and …our environmental impact!! Its a win-win.
With these extra savings by both parties, it is important to invest these savings wisely to ensure the work life balance at home is not compromised. Many companies have turned to reimbursements for employees to get set up effectively in their new home-office which is really great to see. After all it really is in everyone’s best interest that you are in a comfortable environment.
Tax deductions can also be claimed for expenses incurred relating to working from home. As per the ATO, these can be additional running expenses such as electricity, internet and phone expenses, the decline in value of plant, equipment, or furniture expenses and more. The rate if you choose to work from home is 52 cents per hour and a higher rate if you have needed to make this move due to your employers’ directions. It’s worth chatting to both your employer and your accountant to ensure you make the most of the available tax benefits.
4. Fewer interruptions – Increased productivity
With increased open plan office designs, interruptions are becoming part and parcel of everyday life for many Australians. On average, workers are interrupted 3 times per hour. Every 20 minutes, an interruption, a question, a phone call or loud noise will interrupt you in the office. Working from home cuts these workplace interruptions and creates more focused hours, benefiting both the employee and employer. With less disruptions, tasks can be completed more promptly and in a more concentrated environment.
Ensuring your home office setup allows for this focused time is essential. Let’s talk about the elephant in the room and all the possible home-office distractions such as procrastinating on social media, cleaning the house, being interrupted by the family or neighbours deciding to mow the lawn! The reality is that there will need to be a few ground rules to set you up for success. Instead of working on the kitchen bench, in front of the TV or from the comfort of your own bed, investing in an effective home office setup is crucial to ensuring all attention is directed to the job at hand. Consider these implementing these three tips:
- Create a zone that you can knuckle down in, and focus will help curb these distractions and a create a routine more comparable to an office like environment.
- Consider creating set work hours so that your family and friends can respect that time and not just interrupt you because you are at home. This includes giving you some accountability too so you don’t decide to bake a loaf of bread instead of writing that monthly report!
- Shower, get out of your pj’s and do your hair. Feeling vibrant and ready to tackle the day will help get you out of the cozy home vibe and into the fresh morning energy that will set you up for a flying start to the day. They say that the way you spend the first hour of your day will set you up for the rest.
The beauty in all of this is the fact that there is room to be FLEXIBLE, however having a clear sense of structure will set you up for optimal success in working from home.
5. Increased comfort levels – Personalised office environment
Hot Desking is an extremely popular trend sweeping many Australian offices. Human Resource Management (HRM) surveyed over 1,000 workers in hot desking offices and returned with results showing 67% of respondents felt anxious about finding a spot to sit each day. Working from home creates a more comfortable working environment and removes the time taken to also find a seat.
Comfort is key when it comes to efficiency and productivity in the workplace. Comfortable clothing, temperature and a customised space can all be relished when working remotely and with studies showing a 14% increase in productivity purely from employee comfort, everyone enjoys the benefits.
Comfortable clothing and temperature can only take you so far when working remotely. You need to also consider the possibility of increased storage, a customised worktop, ergonomic chair and desk, and an uninterrupted work zone purely for you. This is a recipe that will assist in added relaxation, improve productivity, and form a more personalised working experience that will benefit your physical and mental wellbeing.
Final thoughts:
This list could go on and on and on. Working from home is no phase or fad and comes with innumerable benefits both employees and employers. Investing time and effort into setting up an appropriate space will guarantee all advantages are secured and experienced by all. WFH is here to stay, and we are here to help you turn that into a reality.
Get in touch with us to start the design process today. We can turn any space, big or small into a productive, ergonomic work haven, for you to enjoy for years to come.
References:
- https://australiainstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DP78_8.pdf
- https://www.deputy.com/blog/why-are-so-many-australians-late-to-work
- https://www.smh.com.au/business/small-business/the-upside-of-being-interrupted-at-work-20210304-p577v8.html
- https://www.hcamag.com/au/news/general/pandemic-has-improved-work-life-balance/235640
- https://www.cbre.com.au/about/content-feeds/expert-opinions/articles/rising-sydney-office-incentives-aim-to-lure-tenants
- https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/australia-expensive-public-transport-globehunters-research/bbc22fa0-1987-4832-85bc-37cd9a5024ad
- https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/sites/clerks-work-from-home/research/am202098-research-reference-list-su-241120.pdf
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7803014Images sourced from Pinterest.
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2. Katrina Chambers
4. Joyelle West
