Should companies hire more remote workers? CEOs, employees weigh in
December 22, 2017
Should companies hire more remote workers?
Wooed by the appeal of waking up later and working in pajamas, many company employees would answer with an emphatic “yes.”
And some company leaders agree.
“The happiest and most productive companies are staffed by teams who work remotely,” says Brian de Haaff, CEO of product roadmap software Aha!.
De Haaff, who leads a team of remote workers, believes remote work gives employers access to a larger talent pool, while giving remote workers more freedom, better health, a bigger sense of accomplishment and more room to be productive.
De Haaf, who says remote workers are outperforming office-bound employees, cites benefits for remote workers as follows:
- No need to settle for a job within driving distance of one’s home
- No need to rush home for family duties -- you’re already there
- No commute means more time for sleep and exercise
- Distance makes the heart grow fonder, not complacent, which means working remotely leads to more meaningful conversations with co-workers
- Fewer office distractions means more time to be productive
“Remote work leads to happier and more productive teams. And when workers are happy and productive, they bring their best to each day -- which in turn leads to happier customers,” de Haaff wrote in a LinkedIn blog post. “In other words, everyone benefits.”
But Richard Laermer, CEO of RLM Public Relations, believes otherwise.