When remote work kicked in at the beginning of the pandemic, a lot of people and companies were extremely skeptical and thought that productivity at work would take a huge knock in the wrong direction.
This is why so many people have been shocked at the fact that research has shown that there has in fact been an increase in productivity at work since remote work became the norm.
In this article, we will be discussing what research says about remote work productivity in 2022, and ways that you can also maximize remote work productivity.
Remote Work And Productivity
As we mentioned, research has shown that the majority of workers felt like their productivity had increased since working from home.
A recent study showed that 83% of employees said they were more productive working from home than they were in the office, while only 15% felt that the opposite had happened.
Reasons Why Working From Home Has Increased Productivity At Work
More Flexibility
Working from home offers so much more flexibility than working in the office does. Most companies allow you to choose your work hours, as long as you get all of your work done in a day.
Some employees, especially those who are parents, are most productive in the morning before their children wake up, and in the evenings after their children have gone to sleep. So, this concept is amazing for them.
When employees worked in the office, they typically had to be there from 09:00 to 17:00. But for some people, their energy levels slump around 15:00, leaving them with 2 hours of being extremely unproductive at work.
But, if they had been working from home, they could have potentially used those two hours to exercise, do some household chores, or play with their children instead.
Then, once they have eaten at night and subsequently feel more energized, they can finish those last two hours of work and be more productive than they would have normally been at 15:00.
Time Is Saved On Commuting
Before people started working from home, US employees spent approximately 54 minutes of their day traveling to and from work. This adds up to a lot of time spent on the go each week.
Rushing to and from work can really make you feel quite exhausted, and lead to less productivity.
Now that they don’t have to spend so much time commuting each day, employees can use that time to wake up later, have some quiet time in the morning, or start their evening chores a lot earlier – all of which can lead to being more productive at work.
Commuting on the train, or driving to work, can also be quite stressful in the mornings. This can lead to employees arriving at work and not being calm or focused. This can throw their whole day off and cause decreased productivity.
By eliminating that, remote employees can now start their workday feeling calm, positive, and rested, which all leads to a much more productive day.
More Time For Exercise
With more flexibility and less time spent on commuting to and from work, there is actually enough time in the day to get in some exercise.
Exercising releases endorphins, boosts your energy, decreases fatigue, enhances concentration, decreases stress, and improves your mood.
If employees can now take an hour a day to exercise or go to the gym during their lunch break, this could help them to be more productive at work.
Employees Are Working From A Quieter Space
Employees who work alone in their own office are likely to be much more productive.
They don’t have the distraction of chatty colleagues, people walking up and down, or annoying noises in the background that distract them from working.
When they work from their own space at home, they can be much more productive and stay focused for much longer.
There Is More Of A Work-Life Balance
Working from home has allowed workers to have more of a work-life balance. They are able to see their family more, do more of what they enjoy in life, and structure their workdays to get the most out of work and life in general.
This has led to employees just being a lot happier and more positive overall. This happiness and newfound balance can lead to workers feeling a lot less stressed and overwhelmed than they used to when working in the office.
Overall, these factors can potentially lead to workers being more motivated and productive in the times that they have to work, as they have more things to look forward to out of their workspace.
Reasons Why Working From Home May Negatively Impact Work Productivity
While the majority of research has shown that working from home has boosted overall productivity for most employees, there will always be a select few that feel that the opposite has happened.
This could be because they have children running around, they struggle with time management, or they just feel too distracted. Below, we will discuss ways to combat that and maximize remote work productivity.
How Do You Maximize Remote Work Productivity?
Set Up Routines And Schedules
If you are lucky to be afforded a flexible work schedule, figure out what times of the day you are most productive, and which times you are least productive.
In the times that you aren’t productive, use this to do other things that need to be done, and save the work for when you feel most productive.
It is also important that you set up a work schedule so that you don’t overwork and burn out. It is very easy to constantly work when you are at home, so sticking to a schedule will help with this.
Having a schedule will also help you to maintain a work-life balance, and it will make your remote work experience much more enjoyable.
Make Sure You Have A Quiet And Comfortable Space To Work In
Having a quiet and comfortable workspace is one of the best things you can do to maximize productivity.
Make sure that you are away from TVs, the kitchen, loud noises, and anything that can distract you.
Set up a desk with a comfortable chair that allows you to focus solely on the work in front of you.
Change Your Environment If You Lack Motivation
Working from one place, especially the place where you spend all of your time, can get very monotonous, and can cause productivity to decrease.
For this reason, we recommend switching up your environment every now and again. Whether that means working from different cafes, a library, or different places in your house, try and move around if you feel like working from one space is suffocating you a bit.
Stay Organized
Make sure your workspace is always neat and organized. If you are working in a messy environment, it will make you feel stressed and decrease your productivity dramatically.
Take Breaks
Take regular breaks and try and work in short intervals. Rather work for 30 minutes, with a 5-10 minute break in between than for 3 hours non-stop. You will be much more productive working in short bouts.
