Home working opens up a new range of possibilities for the way businesses can work and structure themselves. With the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, home working has given some employers the flexibility they need to continue their business operations while prioritising staff and customer health and wellbeing as part of their public health responsibility. Show
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, working from home was on the increase as many employers identified the benefits that it can bring to their business and the improved work-life balance for their employees. Even if you don't think working from home would be beneficial for your business, employees with 26 weeks service have a statutory right to request flexible-working arrangements such as home working and you, as an employer, have to seriously consider such requests. Advantages of employees working from homeWith increasing numbers of employees working at home - or using home as a working base for at least part of the week - it's clear there are a number of benefits for business, such as:
Disadvantages of employees working from homeThough there are some disadvantages to employees working from home, most of these relate to those working from home for all, as opposed to part, of their working week:
The coronavirus pandemic has given some employers, who may not have otherwise considered working from home an option for staff, a practical insight into how it affects their business and employees. It has enabled employers to have first-hand experience of the advantages and disadvantages of home working. This experience can be very beneficial in helping employers determine working practices that will benefit their business. For further information see the Labour Relation Agency's (LRA) practical guide to working from home: COVID-19 and beyond. Hybrid working approachA shift towards home working doesn't mean employees have to work only at home. Often splitting time between home and the workplace is the most productive solution and you may want the home worker to attend meetings to keep them fully involved and informed. For further guidance see the LRA's practical guide to hybrid working. Is the term used to describe working away from the traditional office setting?A remote worker is someone who is employed by a company but works outside of the traditional office work environment. Remote workers can also be digital nomads, freelancers, and contractors not employed full-time, but still working remotely from anywhere in the world.
What are traditional workplaces?Meaning. A traditional workspace is a place or office with a physical location, usually in the headquarter or building owned by the company where employees work. On the other hand, remote work is the modern setup where employees work remotely in their home offices.
What is allowing employees to do all or some of their work away from the office called?Telecommuting and working remotely are near-synonyms and may often be conflated with one another. However, the distinction lies in distance. Remote work implies that the employee lives outside the geographic area of the organization's location.
What does the company do that makes it a place where people want to work?A great place to work cares about and supports its employees while also challenging them to grow with the company. At these companies, managers and their employees trust and respect each other and have a shared commitment to both individual and company success.
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