Remote Workers Have a Way Better Life Than You Because…

Remote Workers are the Future

It’s estimated that telecommuting has risen 79% since 2005, and 2.6% of the American workforce is now composed of remote workers. The percentage would be even larger if it took into account the workforce that telecommutes part-time. In fact, 24% of the U.S. workforce reported teleworking at least part of their workweek in 2012, and the percentage has likely increased. Teleworking encourages a positive work/life balance, and it allows those remote workers to have a more flexible schedule, which is why so many employers are offering this style of work to take place within their organizations.

In fact, a recent survey from PGi found that a compelling amount of employers are offering telecommuting technology to employees to help them work remotely. Ninety-one percent of employees in the PGi survey stated that their company had issued them laptops, and 62% of employees reported employers had issued them cellphones and/or smartphones. Not only are employers providing the hardware, they’re also granting access to telecommuting tools. A full 75% of employees have access to Web conferencing tools, and 76% of employees have access to company data via the organization’s virtual private network.

While employers are granting access and providing the technology needed to work while away, remote workers are finding that telecommuting doesn’t decrease the opportunity for collaboration like one would assume. In fact, recruiting teams of all sizes can benefit from telecommunication technology, whether they are part of a large corporation’s recruiting department or a small staffing company. Let’s fill in that blank:

Working on a Remote Recruiting Team is Better for Your Career

Working remotely can be better for your career because it can increase productivity, which in turn improves your opportunities for career advancement. On average, remote workers produce 43% more business volume than their colleagues who work in the office. An astonishing 70% of employees report that their productivity increases when working remotely, and supervisors are noticing that increase too! In fact, 20-40% of supervisors notice that remote workers are more productive and are able to complete tasks at higher quality and in less time. Beat that, cubicle-dwellers!

Working on a Remote Recruiting Team is Better for Your Health

Think about all of the stress you feel getting ready for work and getting to work. From the time you smash your alarm clock against the wall, to the moment you slam on your brakes (honk your horn, maybe even throw a mini-tantrum) in early-morning rush hour, your morning can be completely full of stress.

Now, if you worked at home (on your own schedule) you could wake up peacefully, have an extra hour of sleep, and avoid the catastrophes that entail getting to work. Amazingly, 82% of remote workers report experiencing lower stress levels. Sixty-nine percent of remote workers report missing fewer workdays, and 80% feel like they have higher morale when working from home.

When your physical health is better, your mental health is better too. Lower stress levels and higher morale combine to make you a happier and more mentally sound employee in general.

Working on a Remote Recruiting Team is Better for Your… 

Read more to find out!

Originally posted on Recruiter.com

photo credit: danielfoster437 via photopin cc

Maren Hogan

Maren Hogan is CEO of Red Branch and general Bad@$$

Maren Hogan is a seasoned marketer and community builder in the HR and Recruiting industry. Maren started Red Branch Media and, before she hired all the smiling faces you see below, she ran it on her own. In marketing for over 15 years, she has deep experience in strategic campaigns and a long-term, results-based operational approach.