Embracing a remote environment has perks for both the employer and the employee. Granted – it takes a disciplined person to be employed in a remote environment, but for me it is the cat’s cradle. It gives me the freedom to crank my music, to sing along while I work, to be able to enjoy the home that I built, to have all of my favorite foods at my finger tips. Most importantly, it allows me to embrace the work habits that allow me to be the most productive and to be on my best game.
But why would a company want to work with people remotely? There are some advantages that are obvious and commonly argued – the utility consumption for the employee is paid by the remote worker instead of the company. Those snacks and coffee supplies in the break room? The remote worker takes care of their own. The square footage for the office or workspace? provided by the remote worker.
Let’s take it a step further – as a remote worker I bring six different machines that I can develop and test on. I have nine mobile devices that I use for testing. Heck – I even bring in my own test group. As a disciplined remote worker – if there is technology that I need to learn for my contract or employer – I do not count that on the clock. In an office I have to perform my continuing education on the clock. That extra hour or two that i would be used to commute into an office? The company that hires me gets those as added work hours as a perk. Heck, I even provide membership to my own private on-site exercise room!
I get that remote work does not work for every employee. I am fortunate that I am one for whom it does.