The combination of COVID-19 and the Great Resignation is forcing employers to rethink their policies on remote work. Since the onset of the pandemic, more and more workers are demanding a better work-life balance that can only be achieved through a remote or mobile workforce. Workers want to continue working but still get time for their families and personal lives. The growing trend of a mobile workforce has created an opportunity for business owners to utilize outsourced HR services to realize the full benefits of remote work. The benefits of a mobile workforce become clear when you compare aspects like productivity, turnover, and job satisfaction.
A mobile worker is a worker who completes office assignments from locations other than a physical office. Mobile workers use information technology to receive and complete work assignments, either from the comfort of their home or other remote locations. For many companies, a mobile workforce solution goes beyond working from home. It encompasses a hybrid work model, which refers to having both a remote and in-office workforce.
Although mobile workers have been on a steady rise since the advent of the internet and teleconferencing, the Covid-19 pandemic has created a sharp rise in the number of workers willing to work remotely. As of 2020, 35% of US workers were working from home. Although the statistics may decline after the ease of pandemic restrictions, experts believe 93.5 million workers will be working remotely by 2024.
Having a mobile workforce comes with five distinct advantages, which explains why 70% of employers are considering adopting a hybrid workstation model. Through the hybrid model, workers can complete most assignments remotely using devices like a mobile phone, a laptop, or computers and only report to the offices when tasks cannot be completed remotely.
As your business recovers from the effects of the pandemic, cost-saving should be a priority if you are to remain competitive in your industry. Cutting costs helps businesses enhance efficiency by reducing the cost of production while still maintaining the same or higher output. A mobile workforce helps you cut down expenses related to office space and employee subsistence.
Since your workforce is mobile and does not need to work from a physical office, you do not have to rent expansive office spaces. You can manage a large team in a small office used only for administrative purposes. When the workers are not operating from the office, you cut subsistence costs such as office tea and travel allowances.
Having a mobile workforce helps reduce employee stress and other inconveniences that reduce your team's productivity. Workers in a hybrid system or entirely remote workstation model have a better work-life balance. Workers can have time for their families and still make enough time to complete official assignments. A work-life balance also reduces absenteeism, as workers can attend to their personal matters and get time for official tasks. The workers do not have to contend with the stress of daily travel to and from their workstations. Reducing the morning commuter stress helps to enhance the productivity of your workers as they can access their assignments from any location.
A mobile workforce enables your business to hire workers from different time zones, meaning you can have longer working days without increasing costs related to employee benefits like overtime. Your workers can also work during the day or night, depending on their convenience.
Small businesses compete with large multinationals for top talent. In most cases, the top local talents are taken by the large corporations, reducing the pool of talents for small business enterprises. However, a mobile workforce broadens your talent pool by removing geographical barriers. You can hire talent from different states or even from abroad and have them work without relocating.
Studies have found a strong correlation between remote work and increased job satisfaction. Workers have different preferences regarding working time. Some workers like to work during the day, while others are comfortable completing their assignments at night. Having a mobile workforce or a remote workforce allows workers to work during their preferred time, provided they remain within timelines. Similarly, there are workers who prefer working remotely and others enjoy working from an office. Arrangements that provide convenience for workers increase job satisfaction.
A business that employs a mobile workforce may encounter the following challenges
HR managers can enhance company culture and strengthen communication among the team through virtual meetings and in-person team-building sessions. Data security, on the other hand, can be enhanced through the use of features such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to reduce data security threats.
A mobile workforce allows workers to operate from locations other than conventional offices. Adopting a mobile workforce enables a business to cut costs related to real estate and office space and employee subsistence, reduce employee stress, increase job satisfaction, enhance productivity, and broaden your talent pool.