As the world returns to normal, many CEOs are now requiring their employees to return to the office again. They reason that working from home isn’t “real work” and isn’t as productive as working in an office.
However, many employees are resisting the return to office policy. After almost two years of experiencing the benefits of remote work, many employees don’t want to return to the office anymore.
In fact, a study about remote work and happiness shows that being able to work remotely is strongly linked to employee happiness.
So, why are remote workers much happier than their office counterparts? Let’s find out.
Remote Workers Don’t Need to Commute Anymore
One of the main reasons why remote workers are happier is because they don’t have to commute anymore. With how atrocious commuting in the Philippines is, it’s hardly surprising.
According to the study above, employee happiness decreases as commute time increases. When an employee’s commute time exceeds an hour, there is a sharp decrease in employee happiness.
This means they can spend more time getting some much-needed sleep before work instead of waking up early to catch the bus. This allows them to go to work feeling refreshed and ready instead of stressed and haggard.
Additionally, commuting has become expensive lately due to inflation. Removing this expense from your daily budget frees up money you can spend on the things that make you happy instead.
Remote Work Offers Improved Work-Life Balance
In an ideal world, we don’t have to spend most of our time working or traveling to and from work. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case today… or is it?
Having more control over your work schedule is a keystone benefit of remote work. This allows you to spend more time with your loved ones, indulge in your hobbies, or visit more places on your travel bucket list.
Being able to do these things while still achieving your career goals is often why remote workers are happier than office workers. The flexibility to work from almost anywhere reduces burnout and increases your job satisfaction.
Remote Work is More Inclusive
Not everyone can work in a typical office setup. People like Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), single moms, and senior citizens often struggle to land traditional jobs.
Fortunately, remote work eliminates many of the barriers an office setup has, such as conflicting schedules, the need to commute, and requiring specialized equipment. It allows PWDs to work effectively with their assistive tools, for example.
Additionally, working from home reduces workplace discrimination since this setup prioritizes results over pretty much everything else.
This increased inclusivity that working from home brings creates a sense of equality and belonging, significantly boosting confidence and productivity.
Remote Work Gives Employees More Autonomy
Many remote workers enjoy the autonomy working online offers. This way, you don’t have supervisors constantly hovering over your shoulder.
Yes, you may still have employee monitoring and time-tracking apps in place to ensure you’re working during your shift. That said, you can adjust your work schedule by negotiating with your manager, something you can’t do in a traditional nine-to-five job.
This autonomy empowers employees to tailor their schedules to when they’re most productive, reducing the chances of burnout.
Working From Home Reduces Stress
Stressed from your office job? Why not give remote work a shot?
Working from home means you don’t have to deal with commuting and dealing with difficult co-workers and office politics that much anymore. This helps you focus on work instead of worrying about these distractions.
This doesn’t mean they don’t exist in this setup. It means you’re far less likely to be affected by them here since you rarely meet your boss and co-workers face-to-face.
Working From Home: The Secret to Better Job Satisfaction?
Remote work has been a blessing for many workers. So much so that many are hesitant to return to office.
It’s not hard to see why; just look at the various reasons remote workers are happier than office workers listed above. Being happy at work makes you more motivated to do your be
If you want to get in on this action but are still looking for online jobs, Remote Staff is here to help.
Our jobs list has various available positions for you to choose from, so you’ll never run out of options. The best part? We regularly update this with new openings, so if you don’t see a job you like, you can try again tomorrow.
Good luck!
