Just a few decades ago, many people thought of work as something to be done at a specific place. In recent years, however, environmental concerns, the Covid-19 pandemic, and global quarantines have made remote work a need rather than an option.
Technology, especially cloud computing, also played an important role here. Being a key enabler of remote work, it permits numerous forms of tasks to be done off-site, eliminating the need for travel, which has several benefits for businesses, workers, and society, not to mention our cities and the planet.
In 2019, the average daily commute in the UK was 59 minutes long, and the time spent in mass transit kept on growing. Nevertheless, as the pandemic spread, the number of hours spent travelling was substantially reduced. But as life returns to normal, will we revert to the old commute culture and fixed working patterns?
Even though there are immense benefits to no-commuting culture, the concept is frequently faced with opposition, raising the question of whether such a culture can trend permanently in the future.
In this article, we will be looking at the main concerns surrounding the future of remote work and the benefits arising from people working from home rather than on-premises.
Continue reading to learn more.
Why Is There Reluctance to Adopt No-Commute Jobs?
There are several concerns about the no-commute culture, but employee productivity and motivation are the most significant sticking points.
All or Nothing Employers
Following the end of the pandemic, many businesses began pushing employees to head back to offices. While some companies are more lenient, i.e., offering hybrid work models, others insist on a full-blown return.
Many managers believe in the presenteeism way of managing the workforce. They argue that specific jobs require to be present at the premises, or that employees should be at least coming in for important meetings. In other words, an in-office employee equals an employee that can be easily monitored to ensure maximum productivity.
According to Forbes, 84% of executives favour face-to-face meetings because they allow teams to create stronger, more meaningful, and more productive relationships while reducing distractions and overcoming technical and internet-induced barriers.
Technological Barriers
You probably experienced how poor-quality video cameras or an unstable internet connection can negatively affect a team’s ability to participate, often annoying everybody. It is evident that if not all employees are equipped with the up-to-date tech, they cannot productively participate in the video conferences.
Widespread Overwhelm and Video Fatigue
Likewise, when such remote meetings start dragging or even end up being rescheduled, many often feel like they are not the best use of their time. They take our focus away from the tasks, leaving us frustrated, overwhelmed, and burnout. Zoom fatigue is a real issue, and the overuse of virtual meetings can intensify the adverse effects of a work-from-home setup.
Benefits of Working Remotely. Making a Case for No-Commute Culture
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but decreasing travel to work can offer numerous advantages that outweigh the drawbacks.
Employee Wellbeing
Every employer’s goal should be to maintain a positive working environment, and for many employees, it is all about workplace flexibility. One survey reports that 60% of women and 52% of men would search for a new job if they were not allowed to continue remote work in their current roles.
As a result, remote-only or hybrid employment is an essential factor that many consider when evaluating a job. Thus, as an employer, you should take this on board, making reasonable adjustments to future workplaces.
Better Work-Life Balance
Workers like never before are looking for better work-life balance, as that helps them derive satisfaction from work. Not wasting time in a car or on crowded trains leads to increased productivity and enjoyment. In contrast, the time employees save can be spent on family and social activities – a win-win situation for them and your business.
One of The Ways to Reduce Overhead Costs
Managing employee well-being and productivity is crucial, but so is finding ways to improve the company’s bottom line. If a business goes remote-first, no-commuting culture can save them up to £14,000 or $18,000 in annual office space maintenance costs. Multiply this cost by the number of individuals working for your enterprise, and here you have an indication of the cost reductions that remote work can provide.
My G-Nation is the leading digital office for hybrid and remote working that enables organisations to overcome traditional barriers to providing and maintaining workspaces. Our platform is like a physical office, but for a fraction of the cost! By utilising our metaverse digital office, you can get access to a digital workplace with desks and dedicated rooms for work.
Commute to Work too Long? Reconsidering Carbon Footprint
Finally, the widespread adoption of technology and cloud computing means that work can be performed regardless of location. If employees are not commuting frequently (if at all), they are contributing to reducing carbon dioxide emissions – something we have seen at the beginning of the pandemic. Choosing to adopt a no-commuting culture as a worldwide solution could help tackle the environmental issues and address customer pressure for fighting climate change.
Concluding Thoughts
No-commuting culture is a new phenomenon that continues to grow in popularity, requiring a permanent change to the workplace arrangements. Job seekers may give priority to companies that offer virtual or hybrid positions; thus, organisations must find a perfect balance between employee satisfaction, productivity, and cost implications.
At My G-Nation, we understand that businesses must navigate the new reality. While conceptually adopting remote work appears straightforward, operationally connecting key organisational pillars may be challenging. Our solution can help bridge the gap between in-person and virtual employment. Now is your time to become a future-proof business with the help of our virtual office platform!
