18 Benefits of Working Close to Home

Remote and Hybrid Work Arrangement Facilitate Work Closer to Home

The new era of work is transforming how professionals and businesses work. Remote and hybrid work models are the norm rather than the exception for many today. Even though recent news highlights organizations that have started banning hybrid and remote work, these organizations appear to be the exception. A study published by The Conference Board shows that only 3% of organizations said they plan to eliminate remote or hybrid work, while 5% actually indicated they plan to expand it this year. One of the outcomes of remote or hybrid work is the ability for workers to work closer to home. Doing so enables them to harmonize their productivity, flexibility, and quality of life.

On-demand Workspace Providers Bolster Work Close to Home

Offerings from flexible workspace providers, such as Davinci Meeting Rooms, bolsters this trend by offering professional environments for those who cannot or prefer not to work from a conventional office. This post detail 18 benefits of embracing this new work-life paradigm and discuss the challenges to provide a comprehensive understanding of the matter. It also examines 10 disadvantages that can arise from remote and hybrid work scenarios. 

18 Advantages of Working Closer To Home

The following 18 advantages are some but not all of the advantages of working closer to home:

1. Eliminate the Commute: Commuting can be both time-consuming and stressful, significantly impacting one's work-life balance. Working close to home, be it remotely or at a local coworking space, eliminates or reduces this concern, freeing up valuable time for both personal and work-related tasks. There are a number of benefits for professionals to eliminate or even reduce their commutes. A nationwide study found that the farther someone commutes to work via vehicle, the higher their blood pressure.

2. Achieve Work-Life Harmony: The flexibility that comes with working near home allows individuals to better integrate their personal and professional responsibilities. This shift can lead to increased job satisfaction, reduced stress, and overall improved quality of life.

3. Economic Benefits for Employees: Working from home or nearby significantly cuts down costs associated with transportation, meals, professional attire, and more. These savings, over time, can have a substantial impact on an individual's financial health.

4. Environmental Impact: Working close to home means fewer vehicles on the road, leading to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This lifestyle choice contributes to the fight against climate change, encouraging a more sustainable future.

5. Access to Global Talent: Businesses adopting remote and hybrid models can source talent from across the globe. This practice diversifies the workforce and brings together a variety of skills and perspectives.

6. Enhanced Productivity: Studies, such as the one conducted by Stanford University, show that remote workers can be up to 13% more productive. The quiet comfort of home or a local coworking space often provides a more conducive environment for concentration.

7. Flexible Work Arrangements: With no strict nine-to-five schedule to adhere to, employees can work during their most productive hours, boosting efficiency and job satisfaction.

8. Cost Savings: A remote or hybrid workforce allows businesses to save on office rent, utilities, equipment, and more. These savings can be channeled towards growth initiatives, employee benefits, or improving profit margins.

9. Employee Retention: The flexibility and work-life harmony that come with remote and hybrid work models significantly improve employee retention. Employees who feel trusted and appreciated are more likely to stay loyal to their companies.

10. Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Remote work infrastructure provides businesses with the ability to continue operations during unforeseen circumstances, be it natural disasters, pandemics, or other disruptions.

11. Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: By enabling companies to hire beyond geographical restrictions, remote work promotes a more diverse and inclusive workforce, enriching organizational culture and fostering innovation.

12. Fostering Innovation: The flexibility and autonomy that come with remote work can stimulate creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, driving innovation in the business.

13. Greater Autonomy for Employees: Remote work models necessitate trust and foster a sense of ownership and autonomy among employees, leading to higher job satisfaction and motivation.

14. Optimal Use of Coworking Spaces: Local coworking spaces, like those offered by Davinci Meeting Rooms, provide a productive environment for those who need a break from home offices. They also offer networking opportunities and access to a network of like-minded professionals. 

15. Professional Meeting Rooms: Businesses can opt to rent professional meeting rooms as needed for client meetings, training sessions, or important team gatherings. This helps maintain a strong professional image without the financial burden of maintaining a permanent office.

16. Day Office Facilities: For remote workers who occasionally need an office environment, day offices provide a professional, well-equipped workspace. This flexibility enhances productivity and suits the variable needs of a hybrid workforce.

17. Global Presence: By leveraging rented meeting rooms and day offices across the globe, businesses can establish a virtual international presence. This access allows companies to penetrate new markets without significant upfront investment.

18. Improved Health and Wellbeing: The time saved from commuting can be invested in physical activities, cooking healthy meals, and self-care routines. This benefit leads to improved overall well-being and contributes to more energized, satisfied, and productive employees.

Challenges of Working from Home

Despite the numerous advantages, working from home isn't without its challenges. Following are 10 potential drawbacks to consider:

1. Isolation: Remote work can sometimes result in feelings of isolation and loneliness due to the lack of regular face-to-face interactions. These feelings can affect an individual's mental well-being and hinder team cohesion.

2. Work-life Balance Disruption: When your home also serves as your office, drawing a boundary between work and personal life can be challenging. This overlap can lead to overworking and potential burnout.

3. Home Distraction: Homes can be full of distractions, ranging from family members and pets to household chores. These distractions can sometimes hamper productivity and focus.

4. Reduced Physical Activity: Although saved commuting time can be used for exercise, the close proximity of all necessities can also lead to a sedentary lifestyle.

5. Communication Misunderstandings: The lack of physical cues and potential technical difficulties in virtual communication can lead to misunderstandings, potentially causing conflict or errors.

6. Overdependence on Technology: With remote work being inherently reliant on technology, technical issues or lack of digital literacy can pose significant challenges and disrupt workflow.

7. Overworking: Without the physical separation of work and home, employees may find themselves working beyond their work hours, leading to increased stress and burnout.

8. Security and Privacy Concerns: Ensuring the security of company data can be more complex when employees are working remotely, requiring additional measures and protocols.

9. Delayed Problem-solving: Immediate assistance that's typically available in an office environment may not be as accessible in a remote setup, possibly leading to delayed problem resolution.

10. Cultivating a Remote Team Culture: Building a cohesive team culture and nurturing camaraderie among employees can be challenging with remote teams. Regular team-building activities and communication are key to overcoming this hurdle.

Get Started by Working Close to Home

The potential challenges of remote work can be managed effectively with the right strategies in place. Regular virtual team-building activities, a dedicated workspace at home, setting boundaries, regular breaks, exercise, robust technology infrastructure, and comprehensive security measures are just some of the solutions. Additionally, options like coworking spaces and rented meeting rooms, such as those offered by Davinci Meeting Rooms, can provide a professional and focused work environment when needed.

Working near home using remote and hybrid work models offers significant benefits for employees and businesses alike. Although there are challenges associated with these models, with thoughtful planning and execution, they can be effectively mitigated. The future of work is here, and it is a future that promises greater flexibility, productivity, and satisfaction. It is time for businesses to embrace this new era and realize its full potential.

About Patrick Spencer

Patrick Spencer (Ph.D.) is the President and Founder of TIRO Communications that helps companies develop, build, and manage content, customer, advocacy, and demand-gen programs. Included in its offerings is TIRO Cognition Insights, a data analytics tool that enables B2C and B2B businesses to pinpoint what their customers and competitors’ customers are saying and to identify corresponding actionable product, services, competitive, sales, and marketing intelligence. LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn Website: www.tirocommunications.com