Microsoft CEO Nails it on the Head on Remote Work
Remote work has been steadily increasing in popularity over the last decade. However, its prevalence has skyrocketed since the onslaught of the pandemic. More workers prefer to perform their job duties from home than ever before. The pandemic has shown that many positions, especially those in the technology and software development industry, can smoothly transition from brick-and-mortar to remote. Some top tech companies are taking notice, including Google, Apple, and Facebook, which all offer hybrid positions. Studies have shown a boost in productivity levels thanks to offsite workers. For example, a Standford study showed that productivity increased roughly 13% due to several factors, such as fewer sick days, quieter work environments with fewer distractions, and higher job satisfaction rates. Many employees prefer to work from home for several additional reasons. They no longer have to commute, saving time and money on gas and vehicle maintenance. Employees with children or in different caretaker roles may not have to spend money monthly on childcare or home health workers. Many people feel a sense of relief as they do not feel as much pressure to be extroverted and dress according to employer standards. They feel more relaxed and comfortable in their home environment.
Why are Some Employers Not on Board?
Despite these findings, not all employers are interested in transitioning to a remote workplace due to several factors. For example, many employers own or rent large workspaces, and having no employees to fill them can negatively impact the company’s image. Additionally, middle management may feel their positions are becoming obsolete since people are proving they can perform well and follow procedures without someone overseeing them directly. According to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, a major contributing factor behind the push to return to the office is the productivity paranoia many employers internalize. He believes most employees feel more productive at home, yet management is still concerned about productivity levels. This paranoia causes more companies to implement tracking software, which damages professional relationships and causes mistrust. Nadella feels employers should rely on the productivity level data they collect and use it to guide decision-making. He also encourages employers to set their employees up for success by setting clearly defined goals. He has implemented these ideals throughout Microsoft, where employees can work from home at least a portion of the time and request additional remote hours from supervisors. This is a growing trend among many tech companies. According to The Economist regarding programming positions, “The pandemic accelerated a change that was already taking place: between January 2016 and March 2020, the proportion of jobs mentioning remote work jumped from 20% to 35%.” Many software developers are taking a step even further and becoming digital nomads. In this movement, programmers and other people in the tech industry are taking advantage of their remote positions and traveling the world while they work on projects. This is becoming incredibly popular, and more employers will need to consider the workforce’s changing ideologies regarding personal freedoms to hire the most qualified candidates and stay ahead of the curve.
Potential Benefits for Employers
Not only do employees realize the advantages of remote work, but there are also numerous benefits for employers. As previously mentioned, productivity levels rise when workers are allowed to work from home. Additionally, since location restraints do not limit them, companies can broaden their talent pool and reach more qualified and diverse candidates. Going remote can save on overhead if they can downsize brick-and-mortar locations. This means lower rent and utilities as well as fewer maintenance fees. They will also have to spend less on amenities like food and beverages, cleaning services, and taxes. Retention rates increase as well. Since employees are often happier working remotely, they are more likely to keep their positions for longer. If your company constantly rotates new employees, this can quickly become very costly. You will have to spend extra money advertising open jobs and training new hires, which eats your profits.
Companies need to continue to grow and innovate as the world moves forward and more employees express the desire for remote work, especially for IT staffing. In the past, transitioning to a remote workforce may not have been feasible. However, today’s technology makes it very convenient, and the pandemic caused many companies to invest in the necessary software. So, the infrastructure is already in place to make the transition possible. Employers need to put more trust in their employee’s ability to succeed without being micromanaged and follow the productivity data. Many employers are insisting workers return to the office as public concern for the pandemic slowly dwindles. However, this might not be the best course of action and could backfire in the long run. According to a study by the ADP Research Institute, “Two-thirds (64%) of the workforce would consider looking for a new job if they were required to return to the office full time, and over half would be ready to take a pay drop to make more flexible arrangements.” Overall, the demand for offsite employment is steadily increasing, and companies may fall behind when retaining talented candidates if they cannot keep up with the trends.
