Running a business from home has become a popular option in recent months. And it looks like it’s here to stay for many organisations
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home was becoming an increasingly popular option among employers and employees alike. With the launch of cloud-based platforms and team communication software such as Slack and Basecamp, remote working had become both accessible and convenient.
At the start of the pandemic, however, virtually all businesses were required to adapt to remote working due to lockdown and forced closures. And by proving that home working could be both productive and efficient, it has grown into a widely accepted and popular option for organisations of all shapes and sizes.
Many of the businesses who began working from home during the pandemic have kept up the tradition even after the reopening of offices and workplaces. In fact, Global Workplace Analytics reports that around 25-30% of the workforce have committed to working fully from home even after the pandemic.
But COVID-19 isn’t the only thing keeping business owners at home. From reduced commuting costs to flexibility, there are plenty of benefits to running a home-based business.
Flexibility and choice
The pandemic gave many people the time to reconsider their lifestyle and goals, including their career. This could mean a change of job, or simply reassessing work/life balance.
Home working is widely praised because it offers maximum flexibility in this regard. Childcare, household duties and lunch-hour errands all become easier to manage when working from home, as staff have been able to establish a work pattern that places less strain on daily life. Rather than having to stick rigidly to the 9-5 office hours, many home workers have also used their improved flexibility to start and finish at different times to leave scope for school runs and other daily tasks.
Accessibility
One of the many consequences of the COVID-19 crisis has been the number of people who’ve lost their jobs. Global job losses as a result of the economic pressure of the pandemic have reached upwards of 200 million people.
This has led to many people seeking new employment or starting fresh with a new business idea. The ability to work from home in many roles not only saves on workplace and commute costs, but it also gives people the freedom to look for employment in different areas and sectors. More and more, industries are incorporating remote working into their routine, making use of online platforms to cast the net wide.
Minimal risk
After the devastation caused by COVID-19, it’s understandable that people may be wary of taking on opportunities that come with high levels of risk. One of the benefits of home working is the reduced overheads and the minimal investment requirements in order to get up and running.
In many cases, there are no physical facilities to cater for, freeing up a new start’s resources for actually launching a brand and getting the word out.
Mental wellbeing
Mental health concerns have come increasingly under the spotlight in recent years, especially since the onset of the pandemic. With home working providing a better work/life balance and a smaller risk, it could be the preferred option for many business owners struggling with anxiety, stress and other mental health concerns.
Working from home allows you to set your own schedule, which means it’s easier to prioritise other lifestyle factors like exercise, meals, family time and more.