For many employees, working from home is a dream. It means not having to waste time or spend money commuting, and it generally makes for a less stressful morning routine (no more worrying over what to wear or rushing to make lunch on the way out the door).
But it turns out that work-from-home arrangements aren't just good for employees -- they also benefit the companies that support them. Here are the top reasons employers like having a work-from-home staff, according to LinkedIn.
1. More flexibility from employees
Working from home introduces a world of flexibility for both employer and employee. When you let your workers do their jobs from home, they're apt to be more flexible with you. This means they can make themselves available at times when they'd normally be traveling to and from the office.
Workers who are granted the option to do their jobs from home might also return the favor by logging on during nights and weekends, as needed, as opposed to pushing back when such requests are made.
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2. The ability to retain top talent
Retaining talent is a challenge, in general, but it's even more difficult during periods when the job market is hot. Letting employees work from home is a good way to keep them on board, even when more money is thrown their way by competitors.
3. Increased employee morale
Employees who are content with their work arrangements tend to be happier, on the whole. And when morale is high, your company is a more pleasant place to work for everyone, management included.
4. Cost savings
The more employees work from home within your organization, the less money you need to spend on desks, equipment, and overhead. Let enough people work from home, and you might even manage to downsize to a smaller office. Whether you're a larger company or a small one, the associated savings could be huge.
5. Increased productivity
Many office workers regularly fall victim to workplace distractions, whether it's background chatter, dinging computers, or ringing phones. On the other hand, those who do their jobs from home often report an uptick in productivity, largely because they're privy to quiet and aren't put in situations where they frequently lose their train of thought. And the more output you get out of your employees, the more your business gains.
6. The option to attract new talent
Enticing potential hires to accept a job offer isn't easy when the market is as competitive as it is today. Another perk of having a work-from-home arrangement is that you're giving job candidates a reason to work for you that doesn't cost you more money in terms of salary. Upholding a work-from-home policy also gives you access to a larger pool of talent since you're not limited to applicants within a specific geographic region.
7. Improved company culture
A positive company culture can help your business' reputation and attract new customers, as well as employees. Offering a work-from-home arrangement can lend to a worker-first culture that's built on respect, trust, and of course, flexibility.
It's easy to think of working from home as something that benefits employees, but a business stands to gain, too. If you've yet to consider a work-from-home policy, it may be time to give it a go, at least on a trial basis. You may find that you lose little to nothing, but gain a lot.
