It’s become so mainstream that it even has its own abbreviation. For those who haven’t yet caught on, we’re referring to the concept of working from home.
Put simply, this is something that has risen immensely over the last few years. It’s something that was absolutely frowned upon not too long ago, but it’s now getting more and more popular. In fact, some sources believe that it will soon become the new normal.
However, what has driven this new concept? Today’s article has been pieced together to find out just why WFH continues to thrive.
Technology has become a major reason
There are a few strands to this first point.
First and foremost, the technology that we use on a day-to-day basis has improved massively. When computers first arrived on the scene, the thought of accessing your files from anywhere but the office was unheard of. Now, not only can we obviously take our equipment home with us, but through the likes of the cloud, files are accessible from anywhere in the world.
Then, there is the more advanced technology, which really taps deep inside the cloud’s benefits. For example, if we hone in on Cenareo’s dooh services, this is something that allows outdoor screens to be controlled from any location in the world. Of course, this is just one example, but the fact that screens in any location, can be controlled by another random location, speaks volumes about the leverage that technology has given us from the comfort of our own home.
Employee expectations are another factor
Few would disagree that employees tend to have more power in the workplace than ever before. Of course, there are limitations, but a lot of legislation has passed over the years which means that they have to be treated fairly – and rightly so.
One example of such legislation comes in the form of flexible working. This stipulates that unless there is a valid business reason to not allow it, all employees should have the opportunity to work flexibly.
Sometimes, this results in different hours, but the rules can be applied to working from home as well. Ultimately, this shift in legislation combined with the changing culture of the office, means that working from home is considered a much more acceptable practice nowadays.
The green and cost benefits
Finally, it’s also coming down to costs, and green benefits. After all, the two can play hand-in-hand.
If we look at the direct impact on costs, it’s clear that having staff working from home is something that reduces a company’s office bills.
Then, let’s turn to the green points of view. As we all know, there is an increased emphasis to make the world a greener place, and removing the transport of workers to an office everyday goes a long way in achieving this. This is something that can also play into staff retention; with some employees being much happier working for those companies that attempt to abide by such environmental initiatives.