The Coronavirus has limited our face-to-face communication while catapulting the digital space and remote work to new heights. Millions of people have had to suddenly change their regular routines and shift from working in an office to working remotely. In this article, we take a look at how this change is impacting people and businesses.

Is Working From Home Here to Stay?

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, many companies are establishing hiring procedures, systems, and processes for remote work, and workers are getting accustomed to working remotely. As a result of these changes, many jobs are expected to remain virtual even after the pandemic subsides.

The pandemic has likely sped up a process which was already developing – more people working from home. In addition to the number of remote employees increasing, the number of freelance workers is also expected to increase each year.

According to a report by Statista on the number of freelancers, “It is projected that in 2027, 86.5 million people will be freelancing in the United States and will make up 50.9 percent of the total U.S. workforce.” If we add the number of remote employees to this, we can see that most of the U.S. workforce will be working remotely, whether as an employee or as a freelancer.

No Commuting Time Means More Free Time

Since Americans spend approximately one hour each day on their work commute, working remotely saves about an hour each day. If you add the time it takes to get ready for work, then even more time is saved. Having more free time and flexibility creates happier workers. In addition, working from home helps the environment by reducing traffic and pollution.

Working in the Environment that Suits You

Remote workers can work from any location and in the environment that suits them. This means that they can be more comfortable and focus more since they can completely eliminate any distractions. They can also dress as they choose. Also, because remote workers do not work in the same location, the company cultural fit of employees is less of a concern.

Saving Money

Remote workers can save a lot of money on things such as car maintenance and gas. Working virtually also means that they are more likely to eat their lunches at home rather than eating out. For companies, having remote workers can also mean significant cost savings. Office space and office costs are often a large expense for a business, which can be eliminated or reduced by having remote workers.

More Productivity

Research has shown that employees who work from home are more productive and satisfied. According to and Inc.com article on remote worker productivity, a survey found that remote workers “worked an average of 1.4 more days every month, or 16.8 more days every year” compared to office workers. It was also found that the best ways to stay productive were to take breaks, follow set hours for work, and to create to-do lists.

A coach can help you to establish systems and processes for the changes happening in your company. Get in touch today.