Work From Home- Beneficial For Both Companies And Employees?

Since the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic worldwide, work from home has come into the spotlight. To follow the government's instructions to abide by the lockdown and keep the business going, as usual, many companies instructed their employees to work from home. So working professionals in India left metro cities with bags and baggage and started living in their villages or small towns. Now they work from home, and their salary is credited in respective bank accounts. Small as well as big companies have adopted work from home due to its numerous benefits. Is work from home beneficial for both companies and employees? It's time to make a candid analysis. Let's get started. 

A Basic Introduction To Working From The Home Mechanism

As clear from its name, work from home is a technique in which companies allow their employees to keep working from home or from any other location they want. In this process, employees have to mark their attendance digitally on a particular app, complete the given assignment and send a work report to their seniors and team leaders. As employees don't see each other physically, they are supposed to communicate with their colleagues on Skype, Gmail, mobile phones to keep the work going, as usual, exchange data, and take the business to the next level. Work from home is now considered a win-win situation for both companies and employees. We will analyze the pros and cons of this working mechanism and believe whether companies and employees can continue working in this mode or not?

Work From Home: What Do Companies Get From It?

• The Competent Workforce At Lower Expenses

In recent years, the cost to hire an experienced employee has increased by leaps and bounds. No company can deny the importance of having a team of highly motivated, qualified, and knowledgeable employees who can perform the task with absolute perfection in a short period and contribute to the growth of the company and its business. An experienced employee can go the extra mile to promote a particular brand, its products, and services, attract many customers, sell products and services, and generate good leads for companies. But the problem is that experienced employees always expect a higher return for the intelligent work they do for their employer. So, every 1 and 2 years, they ask for a salary increment of 30% to 40% of their actual CTC. We all know that the business climate is quite volatile these days. Small and big companies are finding it very difficult to increase profit margins and keep their customer base growing. Due to reduced income and a high unemployment rate, millions of people worldwide have cut unnecessary expenses. This may include costs on tours and travel, dining out in a five-star hotel, buying luxury items, etc. These have negatively affected the business climate, and we can see a slump in overall business activities. So work from home allows companies to hire a competent workforce at a limited price tag. It helps company owners save billions of dollars on talent acquisition, salary increments, and other associated benefits that employees should get while working in the office. 

• Reduced Operational Cost

To run a company smoothly, you need to have sufficient money to meet daily expenses. Office rent, electricity bill, internet bill, breakfast and tea arrangements for employees, occasional tours, etc., put an enormous financial burden on companies' budgets. All the expenses keep growing from time to time, making it difficult for company owners to have sufficient money for all these activities. If the company is not benefiting from its daily sales activities, bearing all these expenses can be burdensome. Work from home is an excellent way out of all these issues. Employees working from home use their resources like electricity and the Internet. So companies can save a large amount of money if they continue to adopt work from home. You must have heard the news that Google, Twitter, and other American tech companies have allowed their employees to work from home permanently if they wish to do so. 

• Increased Output

In India, it is often said that an employee who wishes to work can contribute from any location. On the other hand, if an employee doesn't want to work, we will not perform his duties even while working in the office under the supervision of seniors. One of the main benefits of working from home is that companies can get their work done by employees quickly and see their output skyrocket by leaps and bounds. They just need to streamline the workflow professionally and ensure that the employee has enough time to work on different projects. Many companies have allowed their employees to work anytime in 24 hours and complete their 9 hours shifts at their convenience. It has helped companies get their work done and deliver urgent projects to their clients in a timely fashion.

Work From Home- Benefits For Employees

Employees get lots of benefits from working from home. Some of them are listed here below-

• Living With Family Members

All individuals want to live with their family members and friends. Due to the unavailability of jobs in Bihar, fresh graduates have to leave their family members and friends behind and move to metro cities of the country. Separation from family members and close associates negatively affects their lifestyle and well-being. After 8 to 10 months, many employees feel homesick and wish to return to their home state to meet their family members and anyone they like most. While working from home, they can live with all their near and dear ones. 

• Saving Expenses On Room Rent And Traveling

In recent years, room rent and travelling expenses have increased a lot in almost all major Indian cities. Employees have to travel a lot to reach the office in time and vice versa. Sometimes the availability of public transportation becomes an issue for employees who don't have personal means of transportation. Similarly, employees spend a large chunk of their salaries on room rent which increases every one or two years. Working from home allows you to stay away from these expenses. It helps save a significant amount of money every month which strengthens your financial condition. 

• Work Flexibility

It is one of the significant benefits of working from home. Many companies allow their employees to work anytime in 24 hours and complete their shifts. You can complete your assignments at your convenience and send the work report to your senior anytime in the day. You can't enjoy search work flexibility while working in an office. 

• Increased Productivity

Working from home can help increase your productivity to a great extent as there is no one to supervise your work every time. As a result, you feel relaxed and give your best almost every day.  

Bonus

How To Prepare Yourself For Work From Home?

Due to the growing trend of work from home, employees need to arrange the required setup to turn their room into a makeshift office and perform their tasks with absolute perfection. Here are some helpful tips to be a good employee while working from home and impress your boss.

• Proper Sitting Arrangement

To work 9 hours every day, you should have a proper sitting arrangement in your room. Purchase a table and chair that is designed for office work.  It will allow you to keep your laptop, mobiles, and other electronic gadgets around you and perform your task comfortably. Ensure that you sit in the correct position, as it will determine how much you can work every day. Improper sitting arrangements don't let you feel relaxed while you work. 

• Uninterrupted Electricity Supply

In many villages and small towns in India, unannounced electricity power cuts are quite common even today. Frequent power cuts can affect your work performance negatively. I live in a small village in Bihar where frequent power cuts are expected. If you are in a similar situation, purchase a good quality inverter from a recognized brand. Ensure that your inverter gives 5 to 6 hours back up power supply if there is electricity cut in your area. This will allow you to maintain continuity in your performance and focus your attention on everyday work without getting worried about frequent power cuts. I, too, installed an excellent inverter in my house when my work started getting affected by frequent power cuts. Now I am relaxed as I can get an interrupted power supply even if the electricity is cut for a considerable period. 

• Internet Connection

While working from home, you need to have a good quality internet connection to perform your daily task without any interruptions. On average, you may require 3- 4GB of high-speed internet data foto browse the internet, download from the web, upload assignments on web platforms, and participate in Skype calls and videos. You can purchase Jio net fiber at affordable prices or recharge your mobile numbers for the same. Airtel and Vodafone also offer special packages for work-from-home employees. 

• A Safe And Sound Environment

Employees working from home have to participate in audio and video calls and their other colleagues and team members to discuss daily activities and create a plan for future to-do lists. You need to ensure a safe and sound environment for yourself. While working from home, there should not be any loud noise in your background. Ask your family members to turn off their TVs when you work. If there are too many small children in your house, make sure that they don't make a noise in your room or create any kind of disturbance. 

What Is The Future of Work From Home In India?

Due to the coronavirus epidemic, many IT companies and other organizations have allowed their employees to work from home.  It is expected that when the coronavirus mess comes to an end, companies will ask their employees to return to the office. However, in western countries, many companies have proposed that if any employee wants to continue working from home, they can do so without any problem. I have seen many advertisements on LinkedIn and naukri.com. It was mentioned that now companies are looking for highly qualified employees ready to work from home in their total capacity. Being an IT employee, I believe that working from home is the need of time. It greatly benefits both employees and companies and allows them to keep their usual activities going without hindrance. While working from home, I didn't need to take any leave from office work. Work from home ensures 100% attendance of employees on all working days and increases company productivity. What is your opinion? Share your views with me.