In the last decade alone, technology has evolved to an extent where it is possible to work from a remote location with the help of basic working tools such as a laptop, cell phone, and WiFi connection. While many companies are yet to embrace the concept of remote work environments, start-ups are getting geared to accept this idea willingly mainly because of the plethora of benefits this option provides. 

The concept of remote work for start-ups has helped various small businesses save exponential amounts of resources on building an office and ensuring that employees turn up to work every day without absenteeism. Remote work environments for start-ups work brilliantly for companies that do not want to invest resources on in-house teams as well as hardware, software and office furniture amongst other expenses. 

4 Reasons to Lean In to Remote Work as a Startup 

Remote work promotes better work/life balance 

Employees that are permitted to work from within their own homes, or another location of their choosing, feel more relaxed, less stressed out and are able to provide higher quality work in shorter spans of time. This system of working remotely has also increased the overall output of work completed by employees due to an absence of distractions such as office gossip, politics, and any other non-work-related activities. 

Remote work promotes a reduction of costs across the board 

One of the noteworthy perks of startups choosing a remote work culture is the creation of new jobs at a reduced overall operation cost to the firm. Without wasting any resources on a physical space, companies can hire team-coordinators to ensure that the workflow is in place. Training can also be held online, through virtual classrooms and online certifications are also a real possibility. 

Startups that are interested in maximizing gains while reducing operational costs with the remote work environment often hire employees to work from the employee’s chosen location on a full-time basis as part of the company’s payroll. This ensures that employees have job security and are less likely to go AWOL due to be unsure about their importance in the company. Employees that are given this option can also maintain a healthy work and personal life balance which ensures a well-adjusted team of professionals. 

Remote work promotes higher retention rates 

Attrition rates for employees who have chosen to work in a remote work setup are also much lower than employees who are mandated to work at a client location. One of the contributing causes to more productive and happier employees that work in a remote environment, is the lack of travel that is needed to reach the client’s location and head back home in traffic especially during peak hours. The absence of traveling cost as well as the effort and time that is taken by employees to get an available mode of transport can significantly help employers in retaining worthy talent. 

Remote work promotes limitless talent pools 

The biggest reason for creating a remote workforce is your talent pool isn’t limited to a geographical area. The talent you’re able to hire can be anywhere in the world — which is not only a perk for the candidate but gives the company limitless talent pools and places to recruit. If you’re having a hard time recruiting someone in let’s say, Flagstaff, consider a remote position. Your workforce doesn’t have to be 100% remote, but when you can’t fill a certain position or you’re looking for better talent considering going partially remote.  

Remote Work is a Win-Win 

It can be said that remote work as a startup is a fruitful venture not only for the firm but also for the workforce that comprises of hardworking, dedicated, relaxed employees that provide high quality work with maximum output as they are not confined to working long hours in a workspace after traveling hours in traffic on days when they are healthy and maybe even sick. Even if you’re not able to create an entirely remote workforce — consider these benefits and the quality of work that it’ll promote within your organization while saving you money.  

The downside of working from home is that after a while it can be isolating so make sure, if you do decide to partake in a telecommuting culture, that you provide the digital communication tools needed such as video conferencing (ex, Zoom) and chat platforms (ex, Slack, FB for Work, etc. Also, that you include your remote employees in some of the benefits that your onsite employees have (ex. Some companies send remote employees monthly “snack boxes” filled with some of the snacks that are featured in the office), and you give them opportunities to connect IRL. All the benefits stated above still apply.  

At Proactive Talent, our workforce is 100% remote but we make sure to get together at conferences and once a year for a company offsite to continue to foster relationships and bond as a team.