10 health benefits of working from home. Remote work is a common trend in many industries today, especially tech and business services; many are already familiar with how the solitude of working remotely can impact mental health. And, more importantly, we need to start embracing the plentiful advantages. 4 Health Benefits of Working From Home 1. Thanks for checking out FlexJobs! More than 30 minutes of daily one-way commuting is associated with increased levels of stress and anxiety, and research shows that commuting 10 miles to work each day is associated with health issues like: Ditching the commute helps you support your mental and physical health. No distracting co-workers! Many remote jobs also come with flexible schedules, which means that workers can start and... 2. As such, it’s important to manage workplace stressors. To support your mental health while protecting your and your family’s physical health during this pandemic, take initiative in maintaining wellbeing within a home workspace. This pandemic has thrust a large proportion of the workforce into an impromptu … No more stressful commute. 1. Disability benefits. Get new job postings, the latest job search tips, trends, news, and exclusive promotions! While the immediate health benefits of avoiding common workspaces are obvious in the face of a frightening pandemic, it is important to consider the mental health consequences that can come with working remotely. One of the biggest challenges of working outside the home is managing the costs that accompany basic work needs, such as transportation, work … It can improve productivity, reduce distractions, reduce stress, improve work satisfaction, lower the time (and cost) you spend commuting, give you greater sense of control over your workday, and can even help to avoid challenging colleagues! Years ago, I was working for a talk show and although it was rewarding, it was also stressful. Choose as many as you'd like. What type of work schedule would you consider? Many progressive companies now let their employees work from home, or they prefer hiring people (Freelancers, digital nomad, and others) who don’t need office and love working from home. I’ve heard about a remote worker who uses her kitchen breakfast bar as a standing desk (all those health benefits with no investment!) Try to set up your desk in … Health benefits People who work from home have an easier time eating healthy and striking a manageable work-life balance. Improved staff health and wellbeing - working from home eliminates the need for a commute to work that can be stressful to your employees. If you're considering a job in home care, ask yourself the following questions -- courtesy of home health veterans -- to determine whether you'd be happy and successful in the field. You may find yourself living a life that feels like an extended snow day or summer holiday. Revelry have also dedicated a specific “watercooler” channel to encourage break-time chatter. When you don’t have an office to show up to, you miss out on opportunities for regular social interaction and connection with co-workers. Working from home can add a new set of challenges to our job that we've never encountered before (3:50). When COVID-19 forced companies all over the world to send their employees home to work virtually, remote work had a big moment. But unlike employees who work in an office, you office never has to close. Time savings such as this also enables staff to get extra health benefits such as additional sleep, spending more time with family, exercising or … Studies show that people working from home tend to work for more hours and are happier. When you work from home you might not want to invest that much money into proper home office equipment. We’re listing out the best of the best benefits of working from home—some you may already be aware of, and some that may open your eyes even more to remote work’s impact on employers, employees, the economy, and the planet. Custom environment. A reported 72% of employers say remote work has a high impact on employee retention—plainly put, employees are sticking with their employer when they have remote work options. In reality, though, just like working in an office, remote work comes with pros and cons. People who work from home half time can save between $2,000 to $6,500 a year. Working from home can impact on our mental health. Our physical and mental health is generally improved through work – we recover from sickness quicker and are at less risk of long term illness and incapacity. Below, we look at the seven reasons why home working is the future. Gas, car maintenance, transportation, parking fees, a professional wardrobe, lunches bought out, and more can all be reduced or eliminated from your spending entirely. Two causes for concern are isolation and burnout. 5 of Achieving Gender Equality, Survey Finds Job Flexibility Significantly Improves Health, Personal Relationships, How Remote Work Supports UN Sustainable Development Goal No. Less Commute Stress. Many leading companies offer remote work. The time savings can allow you to focus on priorities outside of work, like getting extra sleep in the morning, spending more time with family, getting in a workout, or eating a healthy breakfast. The salesman didn't die; he's just working from home. Working from home has a TON of perks, but there is a downside. Most companies provide offices with ergonomic chairs or even standing desks. Taking some time away from work to look after your mental health can help you recalibrate and bounce back. It further suggests that employers who adopt telecommuting save a great deal of money by cutting down on major operating expenses. But after everyone settled in, what quickly became apparent to many office-based teams is that employees could be productive and focused when not in the office—in many cases, even more so. Health benefits of working. “A longer period of, say, two or three months full-time working from home could lead to serious economic and health costs.” Solutions to work-from-home pitfalls include as much face-to … Top 10 Advantages of Working from Home Flexible schedule. The independence, one-on-one patient contact and flexibility appeal to many healthcare job seekers, but home health work isn't for everyone. Twitter. © 2021 Forbes Media LLC. The concept of working from home might have seemed outlandish 20 years ago, but this is the 21st century. Here are some of the main advantages of working from home over working elsewhere. Just take a few seconds to let us know what you're looking for! Credit: iStockphoto. But Is It Enough? Updated: March 31st, 2020. For some self-employed people, a home office is the best solution. One of the considerable benefits of working from home is having access to a broader range of job opportunities that aren’t limited by geographic location. This presents a number of cyber security issues, according to Alexander Urbelis, founder of … At the time of this writing, there were 2058 full-time jobs listed that were 100% virtual in which you were an employee with all the benefits. Beth Mason, Research Officer . It’s a more productive and lucrative endeavor. The Benefits of Working From Home By airtasker. Health Benefits (and Dangers) of Working at Home. If you’re looking for a sampling of live listings, check out companies that are hiring for work-from-home jobs now. An estimated 74% of U.S. workers get less than the recommended eight hours of sleep each night, according... 2. March 30, 2020 The productivity pitfalls of working from home in the age of COVID-19. Working from home during this time may not be what you planned, but you can make the most of it. But it’s a definite perk as things begin to open up again. And, as it just so happens, one of the benefits of working remotely is lower stress! For many, the idea of working from home is a dream. According to Forbes, “remote work is no longer a privilege,” and Fast Company considers it “the new normal.” And according to us? First, the majority of work-at-home jobs available are for independent contractors and freelancers, which means you’re responsible for your own taxes.. Second, most gigs don’t offer employee benefits, so no health insurance, no paid vacation, no sick leave, and no matching 401(k) retirement plan. Working from home can have many benefits. One major advantage of working from home … FlexJobs’ annual survey in 2019  found that 65% of professionals think they would be more productive working remotely than in a traditional office, with 49% saying they go to their home or home office when they really need to buckle down and get work done. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. As we’ve long known, remote work has a host of advantages for workers. Whether you’re a freelancer or full-time; whether you work in an office all of the time or none of the time, there are always benefits to working from home… Cutting Costs. Many methods to encourage interaction are “low-lifts” on behalf of the employer but should be thoughtfully implemented until employees are able to safely return to the office. Working remotely can give employees the time and environment needed to make healthy choices. According to Global Workplace Analytics, a typical company can save around $11,000 per year for every employee who works from home at least some of the time. A whopping 7.8 billion vehicle miles aren’t traveled each year for those who work at least part-time from home, 3 million tons of greenhouse gases (GHG) are avoided, and oil savings reach $980 million. At minimum, this policy should require employees to conduct an assessment of their workplace and report any hazards to their manager. Advantages of working from home. For those who are accustomed to and appreciative of conventional “office life” and a steady rate of social interactions at the office, the shift to remote work as a result of social distancing procedure during the Covid-19 pandemic might cause a surprising, even if relatively mild, deterioration of mental health. Right now, this type of working arrangement is likely to be difficult due to travel and quarantine restrictions. Some studies report telecommuting reduced stress by as much as 82%.There are a few factors why home-based employment is … This control over your work schedule can be invaluable when it comes to attending to the needs of your personal life. So if you are an employee and you are interested in working from home, these are seven benefits you can get: 1. A 2009 study published in the Journal of Medicine in Science and Sports Exercise demonstrated a direct link between sitting duration and early death. In addition, remote work is a great way to avoid high-rent and high-mortgage areas, especially for positions (like tech) that used to require living in a city with a high cost of living. This can be especially helpful for job seekers living in rural communities and small towns where there may not be many available local positions. Registered dietitian Anna Taylor, MS, RD, LD, CDCES discusses strategies and hacks for eating healthy while working from home. Working from home often means using personal devices to access company data. Apple Unveils Latest Round Of $100 Million Initiative On Racial Justice. Many are happier, more efficient and want to hang onto the benefits when the pandemic ends. Time savings such as this also enables staff to get extra health benefits such as additional sleep, spending more time with family, exercising or preparing healthier meals. Is a career in home healthcare right for you? Anthem, Inc. Anthem is hiring work-at-home benefits analysts, fraud investigators, and more. The 3.9 million employees who work from home at least half time reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of taking more than 600,000 cars off the road for an entire year, according to the “State of Telecommuting in the U.S. Recognizing that mental illness will contribute to $16 trillion in lost output by 2030, significantly outpacing heart disease, cancer and diabetes, One Mind launched the One Mind at Work program in 2017 to develop and implement a gold standard for workplace mental health and well-being. Commuting doesn't just take up time; it can also … 1. “While those who work from home most love the flexibility and work-life balance that it allows,” says social researcher Mark McCrindle, “For 15%, the biggest benefit was being able to work undistracted. Understanding Employee Behavior: A 2021 Resolution For Employers. 20 Apr 2020. 10 Benefits of Working from Home 1. Mental health awareness and improvement On the other hand, it can also be harmful. 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And by hiring employees who can work from home in the communities where they feel the most comfortable and supported, wherever that may be, companies choose to support diversity, community, and family. A survey summarized in the Microsoft whitepaper, Work without Walls, indicates the top 10 benefits of working from home from the employee viewpoint. It cuts out the commute Remote work has been a rising trend for several years, and the Covid-19 pandemic will reveal the opportunities and challenges of working from home for many companies that may not have considered it an option. … However, carers can also benefit from being in work whilst caring for an elderly, disabled or special needs relative. Which of the following career categories interest you most? The average one-way commuting time in the U.S. is 27.1 minutes—that’s nearly an hour each day spent getting to and from work, and it really adds up. Trump Celebrates Border Wall In Final Days Of Presidency - But Does It Live Up To His Promise. You can work from home as a full-time employee with benefits. Working from home during this time may not be what you planned, but you can make the most of it. By expending only the energy of walking to and from the office, eliminating hundreds of dollars per year on automobile costs, and reducing the likelihood of other issues (traffic jams and fender benders), the employee's bottom line benefits. Another quarter of respondents felt that in working from home, they were able to create a work-life balance to enjoy life more. Disability pensions and children's benefits, residential home rehabilitation, savings plans and a gasoline tax refund program. Sleeping later, not rushing off to work, not dealing with traffic or all of the conditions within the work office are more than welcome. This major economic benefit of remote work could continue as more companies make it a long-term solution. Logging 80-hour weeks, I had no time to do anything. Save . Save Money. 1. Being active has been shown to have many health benefits, both physically and mentally. Many employees in the coming weeks may experience unanticipated mental health consequences from mandated remote work, and it is important to be cognizant of this reality. Remote work enables companies to embrace diversity and inclusion by hiring people from different socioeconomic, geographic, and cultural backgrounds and with different perspectives—which can be challenging to accomplish when recruiting is restricted to a certain specific locale that not everyone wants, or can afford, to live near. Many remote jobs also come with flexible schedules, which means that workers can start and end their day as they choose, as long as their work is complete and leads to strong outcomes. By comparison, some of the most prominent benefits, like health insurance (3.7 out of 5), vacation & paid time off (3.8) and 401(k) plans (3.8), rate much lower than the ability to work from home in terms of employee satisfaction. Though the pandemic may have been the catalyst for remote work for many millions of employees around the world, it’s far from the only reason to work from home. When done right, remote work allows employees and companies to focus on what really matters—performance. Will companies go back to “business as usual” and require that everyone work onsite, or is the pandemic the tipping point that finally convinces employers that flexible work is the way to go for the long haul? Co-founder and Chairman of One Mind at Work. Remote work also gives people who may have a hard time finding steady employment at an onsite job, like those with disabilities or caregivers who need a flexible schedule, the opportunity to follow their career goals without having to worry about commuting back and forth to an office, and with the flexibility to get to doctor’s and other healthcare appointments when needed. People who have to move frequently, such as military spouses, can also benefit from having a remote job that can be done from anywhere, without having to start over at the bottom of a new company with each move. Great news, you're in good company! After all, coming in early and leaving late may “look” like more work, but actual performance is a much better indicator of productivity. As more and more professionals not only want but expect the option to work remotely, it’s important that leadership keeps up with the times in order to attract and retain the best talent. … Employees that are new to remote work should keep this in mind, as they may feel compelled to work longer hours and prove that they can be productive from home – especially with less “extracurricular” post-work options. Don’t forget the other helpful actions for maintaining positive mental health. Work in your PJs, avoid the commute, answer emails from a hammock while sipping a pineapple daiquiri—you’ve heard the common benefits of working remotely (and yes, they’re true!). In this article, I will share some of the major benefits of working from home. Millions of people have been forced to work from home since the coronavirus outbreak; something that employers were traditionally reluctant to offer their staff has become a necessity. And the savings aren’t just for employees, either. Read on to discover ten benefits of working from home compared to working in that dreary office cubicle. Technology can serve as a boost to aid in this communication and there are plenty of existing examples to prove it – since, as previously mentioned, many sectors already maintain a sizable remote workforce even when not enforcing social distancing. Benefits by audience And you'll get a bigger benefit if you use your time doing things you enjoy. In reality, though, just like working in an office, remote work comes with pros and cons. Many populations, especially neurodivergent individuals, can benefit professionally and mentally from working remotely. Companies across a range of industries, from financial to tech to health care, are looking for star salespeople with various levels of experience (and a license to sell, if necessary) to push their products and services from a remote location. For example, employees on the autism spectrum or people with mental conditions like OCD, benefit from more time working from home as loud noises, distractions, and … Do remember working from home these days doesn’t mean you are on your own. FlexJobs is a subscription service for job seekers that features flexible and remote jobs. Remote work supports a variety of sustainability initiatives, from economic growth and reduced inequalities, to sustainable cities, climate change, and responsible consumption. For most of that time, I was a work-from-home evangelist who told everyone within earshot about the benefits of avoiding the office. These savings add up and put more money back into your pocket. For some self-employed people, a home office is the best solution. Importantly, we look at the seven reasons why home working is the need to maintain relationships co-workers. T just for employees, either performance, but this is the solution! 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