In the last year, this country has seen a lot of unpredictability. Due to the Coronavirus, we’ve experienced the highest amount of job losses since the Great Depression. There’s nothing for it – we must practice social distancing to ensure everyone’s health and safety.
But where does that leave us financially? How can we continue to provide for our families?
Whether you need work now or are looking for job security in the future, you may want to consider applying for jobs that let you work remotely. COVID-19 health protocols aside, there are a lot of benefits of working remotely. Keep reading for our top nine reasons you should consider this alternative career path.
1. Enjoy Flexible Hours
Depending on what company you work for and what you do for them, your schedule may be completely up to you. While some remote jobs still require the basic nine-to-five schedules, others are much more lenient. However, this may also come down to whether you are full-time, part-time, or have option of being either.
Assuming you’re not on a strict schedule, one of the major benefits of working remotely is being able to ditch the rigid schedule most American workers are subjected to. This could allow you time in your day to see your child’s school play, catch up with a visiting friend over coffee, and more. For those who are more productive during certain hours, you can get in your work whenever you want, whether it’s 3 o’clock in the morning or just past noon.
2. Work From Home…Or Anywhere Else With a Wifi Connection
Obviously, working from the comfort of your own home is one of the most appealing reasons to find jobs that let you work remotely. However, remote work (in many cases) can literally be done from anywhere in the world, assuming you are connected to the internet. Why is this important?
The average American full-time employee only gets only 15 paid vacation days a year. We work 260 days a year (assuming a five-day work schedule) for just two weeks of freedom. With a remote job, you can work from Rome, Bali, the Florida coast, or anywhere else you want, as long as you remain accountable to your obligations.
3. Avoid Office Distractions
While some worry about not being able to focus in a non-office environment, working at home could actually result in better concentration. An office typically has a dozen or more people all creating small distractions throughout the day, such as:
- Side conversations
- Coughing, sneezing, rocking in their chairs, tapping their pens, etc.
- Loud phone conversations
- Getting up for bathroom breaks, water, snack machine, etc.
- Employee meetings
- And more
One of the major benefits of working from home is that there aren’t dozens of other employees there to distract you. You can work in peace. This also allows you to avoid common workplace dramas and cliques.
4. Save On Daycare Costs
Another reason to consider jobs that let you work remotely is to save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars a month on daycare. The average childcare cost in America is $800-$1250 a month.
We understand having your child at home may mean being more distracted while trying to work. However, most families struggle to pay these exorbitant daycare costs, which can lead to financial strain and constant indebtedness.
5. Gain Access to More Job Opportunities
If you’re wondering “What are the advantage of remote working for my future?” think about it in terms of opportunities. When you work at a physical job location, your career is limited based on your geographic location. You may have fewer options for your specific qualifications, for promotions, or maybe forced to relocate based on the needs of the company.
However, when you work remotely, your options open up exponentially. You could work for a business that’s across the country or across the world. However, when working nationally and internationally, you should take the time to learn the best practices for remote workers in regard to cybersecurity.
6. Skip the Daily Commute
Perhaps one of the most stress-saving benefits of remote work is being able to skip daily rush-hour traffic. The average commute in this country is between 17 and 44 minutes – one way. During this time, you may experience road rage, traffic blocks, or even get into a car accident.
On a different note, driving your car every day is rough on the environment and expensive. Imagine how much money you’d save in fuel alone not driving back and forth to work five days a week.
7. Create Your Ideal Work Environment
Another great thing about jobs that let you work remotely is that they provide you the freedom to customize your workspace. While office spaces typically allow you to decorate your cubical with photos of friends and family, that’s pretty much the extent of your options.
When you work at home, you can create your ideal work environment, you can listen to whatever music inspires the most productivity, decorate however you see fit, and even drink beer or wine while working (though it may not be the best habit to get into).
8. Decrease Work-Related Anxiety
There’s nothing wrong with your boss holding you accountable to a certain standard of work. However, they can also cross the line into micro-management and end up doing more harm than good. This scenario can create a stressful and less productive work environment.
Workplace anxiety can also be caused by abrasive bosses, rude co-workers, or unrelated social anxiety.
9. Do Your Own Thing
Finally, jobs that let you work remotely give you space to do your own thing. For example, in most office space work environments, workers keep themselves awake with coffee, energy drinks, and sodas – not exactly the healthiest habit. When you work from home, however, you can take a quick 15-minute power nap on your couch or bed.
Unless you’re obligated to make video conference calls, you also aren’t held to any sort of dress code. And if you do make conference calls, there’s nothing saying you have to wear pants – just don’t stand up during the call.
Looking for More on Jobs That Let You Work Remotely?
Most people are unhappy with their day to day lives, primarily their jobs. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re thinking about making a career change, consider jobs that let you work remotely.
We can help. Be sure to check out some of our other business-related articles for more information.