Why it's Time to Embrace Remote Work

In the year 1999 I worked for a company entering the online auto financing space. In 1999 the top way to finance a car for people with medium to bad credit was by walking into a dealership and sitting around for hours waiting for the finance manager to get your application approved. When customers used our website to get an approval with a check in-hand, it was a game changer. Why did this matter? Most people don't know that there is a buy rate and a contract rate. That friendly finance manager might have an approval for you at 8% but the contract states 9.25%. That extra 1.25% is going into the finance manager's pocket. The new "internet check" was making most finance managers unhappy. The dealership was selling a car but now all of those extra things they are used to doing are not happening. I remember listening to the complaints of dealers saying this wasn't going to work. Dealers would never get on board with internet financing. FAST FORWARD 20 years and we are able to buy a car through an app on our smart phones and have it delivered to our house without setting foot in a dealership.

Why am I bringing up this story? It is a great example how technology changes business and adds new opportunities. There are hundreds of examples of business/industry death or evolution. VHS, DVD to streaming. Land line phones and faxes to cell phones and scanners. Having only limited things delivered to now hundreds of companies that will deliver anything from a milk shake to furniture and in some cases it arrives within an hour.

Remote work didn't really exist in the beginning of my career. Meeting rooms had white boards and phones. Most people had desktop computers vs laptops and VPN access was reserved for higher level positions. We didn't have things like Skype or Zoom set up in rooms and we certainly didn't have webcams to see each others. As time progressed each company and each position opened up more flexibility to work remotely. Over time this became more important to me as a company feature vs a Foosball table or snacks. I understand that some industries do not lend to remote work. You can't cut someone's hair virtually. You must be present. I wouldn't be going out on a limb to say that 90% if not 100% of administrative, marketing, sales and technical jobs can be completed successfully from any location.

There are pros and cons to everything. If you are brand new it can be advantageous to sit physically next to someone and watch what they do. If you have 20 years experience it can be better to sit quietly without interruption. In my 20s and 30s I enjoyed the office environment. It was all I knew. I loved happy hour with friends, bagel Friday or dressing up for Halloween. In my late 30s through now, my late 40s, I enjoy solitude. When I'm at work, I'm there to work. I'm not there to play pool, gossip, dress up, or try to trouble shoot a printer. I want time with my family. I want time to live.

Why do employees want more flexible hours or remote work?

• Zero commute. It's like getting a raise. Less money spent on gas, tolls, parking, business casual clothes, or lunch. No stress sitting in traffic, getting in an accident, or a victim of road rage.

• More time at home. Sleep in a little, work out, snuggle with your pets, pick up your kids from school, repairs on your home, accept a delivery and more.

• Less time on grooming. This is more important for me as a woman. I'm not spending time fixing my hair or make up or picking out an outfit. I can simply put on a hat and get to work.

• No guilt for sick days. You can work from home or the hospital and keep your job.

• Quite time to work. There is this illusion that we must be in a office for collaboration. My experience has been that when I was in the office I accomplished less. The day was filled with meetings or distractions and I'd end up working until 10pm or later once I arrived at home.

Why should you embrace remote work as an employer?

• Fewer days missed. Sick kid at home, inclement weather, allergies, teeth cleaning, doctor appointment, home repair, flat tire, car trouble etc.

• Happier employees (Who doesn't want that?) I'm sure there is a study out there to support this.

• Ability to hire quality candidates from any location. Your company is in Indiana but the best client is in Florida and not willing to relocate.

• Less money spent on real estate, office equipment or anything that involves a physical space. (electricity, wifi, food)

How would an employer transition into offering flex hours or 100% remote work? There are companies out there who help with this transition. Take a look at Firstbase.

Evolve or die. Do you think Blockbuster video would have made a different choice when Netflix approached them? Office space may not die completely but there isn't a reason that you shouldn't offer flex hours to your employees. Trust your employees to do the job you hired them to do.

This isn't 1999. We have enough technology available that companies can offer remote work as a perk. Where will the remote work perk be in 10 years? My guess is that remote/flex work will be on the list of benefits at more companies if they want to remain competitive.

Do you work remotely? What are your favorite things about it?