Was sind die Vorteile der Telearbeit? Warum ist die Cloud-Telefonie für Remote-Mitarbeiter unerlässlich?

Fernarbeit ist heutzutage ein wichtiges Thema für Unternehmen aller Größenordnungen. Sie ermöglicht es Mitarbeitern, ihre beruflichen Aufgaben außerhalb des Büros zu erledigen.

Vorteile einer flexiblen Arbeitspolitik für das Unternehmen

Weltweit erhöhte Produktivität

Es ist erwiesen, dass das Arbeiten aus der Ferne - teilweise oder ganztags - die Produktivität der Arbeitnehmer steigert: Eine bessere Optimierung des Zeitplans sowie weniger Ablenkung während des Heimarbeitsplatzes führen dazu, dass ein ganzes Team produktiver ist.

Tägliche Fahrten zur Arbeit sind mit Stresssituationen verbunden - wie z.B. zu spät zur Arbeit zu kommen. Fernarbeit beseitigt dieses Problem. Die Zeitersparnis auf dem Weg zur Arbeit hilft den Mitarbeitern, ihre täglichen Aufgaben effektiver zu erledigen.

Wie unterstützt die Cloud-Technologie die Produktivität von Remote-Mitarbeitern?

Ein Cloud-basiertes Telefonsystem das zu den Bedürfnissen des Unternehmens passt ist für die Produktivität eines Fernarbeiters von entscheidender Bedeutung. Es bietet unabhängig vom Standort der Mitarbeiter eine direkte Konnektivität mit dem Telefonsystem des Unternehmens.

In der Regel erhalten Heimarbeiter verschiedene Software und/oder Apps mit allen Funktionen eines Bürotelefons. Dies ermöglicht es ihnen auch, Audio-, Video- und Webkonferenz-Add-ons für die Durchführung von Besprechungen zu verwenden und so viele Probleme zu lösen, ohne ihre Kollegen, Kunden oder Partner persönlich zu treffen.

Wenn ein Mitarbeiter zu Hause oder unterwegs ist - von einem Hotel oder einem Flughafen aus arbeitet, kann er sich mit seinen mobilen Geräten mit dem Telefonsystem des Unternehmens verbinden. Eine mobile Anwendung wie MIXcall oder einen webbasierten Dienst wie Cloud Softphone stellt sicher, dass er nie wieder einen wichtigen Anruf verpasst. Dadurch, dass er immer die Möglichkeit hat, seine geschäftliche Telefonnummer zu benutzen, wird ein Telearbeiter immer im Büro zu sein scheinen.

Teleworkers can choose the most convenient device to work with:

• a VoIP desk phone,
• a tablet or smartphone,
• their personal laptop or PC with a softphone

Thanks to modern communications, a remote worker has a similar access to all functionalities of a business than his office based colleagues.

Cost optimization

Applying a flexible working policy within an organization can bring significant cost reductions. The company can reduce its real estate costs as it will spend less on utilities, office supplies and room for office/parking space.

According to Vodafone UK Survey – UK plc. can potentially save around £34bn by freeing up desk space and working more flexibly.

Cloud telephony helps businesses reduce their communications expenses.

Cloud telephony is a cost-efficient solution for communicating with the remote employee.

With a virtual phone system, adding or removing new lines is fast and simple. It does not require technical staff on-premises, reducing set up costs and offering easy scaling for the business.

The billing process for hosted phone services is also a breeze to handle. A company will simply receive a monthly invoice with information about all the lines used. From it, the team managers can analyze in detail the performance of their phone-based colleagues as well.

Reduced sick days

A remote team member takes fewer sick days, compared to his office colleagues.

Many office employees confess they take “fake” sick leave for solving private issues. With flexible schedules, people can balance their personal and professional tasks much easier.

Another advantage for the business is that even if a person is mildly sick, she/he often continues working from home. The office employees tend to take sick leave right away so they don’t infect their colleagues.

Cloud telephony allows complete mobility for remote employees.

An integrated cloud PBX allows fixed and mobile phone numbers to be “merged”. This allows the  mobile worker to handle his personal tasks, without missing important calls. With the MIXcall mobile app he can set the incoming business calls to ring simultaneously or with a delay on both his desk phone at the office and his cell phone.

If the remote employee is busy, he can pre-adjust the calls to be routed to another colleague. Once available he can directly call back from his mobile phone.

Improved retention of employees

Companies encouraging telecommute face increased retention rates by more than 10% (gartner.com).

Teleworkers enjoy flexible working hours, which increases their job satisfaction (SJSU Scholarworks). Being satisfied with their employers, their continuity within the business leads to reduced personnel turnover.

Considering that the amount of money invested in a newly hired colleague can reach up to 4000$ (forbes.com), savings are also made by decreasing the number of trainings for new employees. Remote working shows through all aspects some clear benefits : financial, but also in team spirit.

Worldwide access to talented employees

Thanks to the new means of communication, teleworking is a strategic recruitment tool for any HR department. The company can hire the most talented professionals all around the world who often require teleworking as part of their package (flexjobs.com ).

By recruiting key assets as well as eliminating the usual accommodation or moving expenses, a business can hit two birds with one stone.

A virtual phone system offers more flexibility to managers

Cloud phone systems can be easily adapted to match the company’s business needs. Whether a company needs to increase the amount of employees teleworking or the opposite, scaling up or down happens in a few clicks.

Adding effortlessly new telecommuters during seasonal peaks with the help of the cloud PBX allows the company to adapt to the fast-changing business reality.

Great positive environmental impact

Allowing flexible work helps the business build an image of a socially responsible organization. Many job applicants choose a certain employer if the company applies sustainable policies. This is especially true for the millennials and Gen Z. Employees claim they feel more motivated when working for an environmental-friendly company.

Remote working can also be a game-changer in fighting climate change. Transportation is one of the biggest sources of air pollution. Telecommuting can reduce the carbon footprint of many businesses. It contributes as well to energy consumption optimization. 

With the help of cloud technology, business calls are routed through the office cloud PBX and are directed to the most convenient device for the remote worker. This allows a company to reduce its costs for new equipment, as well as having a positive environmental impact.

Advantages of teleworking for employees

Thanks to cloud communications, a remote employee is always reachable. This gives him more control and responsibility over his time organization.

Better work/life balance

Remote employment offers a healthy mix between the personal and professional life of worker. Surveys show that it is a key factor in improving the work-leisure balance.

According to the European Working Conditions survey:

• 80% of respondents prefer to choose their working location
• 86% confirm that better work-life balance is a top reason to ask for flexible working options.

Many employees face the problem of managing personal responsibilities and work duties successfully. Trying to avoid this constant conflict causes a lot of stress to them. Remote working supports employee’s personal and family relations.

The ability to meet personal commitments impacts greatly employees’ success at work. It stimulates workers’ professional performance and makes them feel fulfilled.

Improved wellbeing

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for both employees and employers. It directly impacts a team’s productivity. Flexible work benefits the physical – more sleep, exercise, – and mental – increased social activities, sense of autonomy – health of the telecommuters and improves their well-being.

Cost efficiency

Apart from saving time, remote working can be a cost-efficient decision. This is one of the important reasons why many people prefer working from home.

The expenses related to daily travel, lunch breaks or following the company’s dress code, are often reduced for remote workers. These savings are considered by many as an actual pay rise. A professional recruiting company has estimated that the annual savings for a remote worker could reach up to $4000.

Some employees even choose to move to a city with lower living costs. With the help of cloud telephony, the worker’s presence at the company’s location is not required all the time as he is always reachable on his office number no matters where he is.

Working environment matching the employee’s individual needs

Teleworkers can create a customized working environment that fits their preferences. It can be a quiet location with toned lighting at home or a coffee shop with natural light and relaxing music.

Wearing cozy clothes instead of the company’s strict dress code can help the remote team member feel more comfortable and secure while working. Likewise, working surrounded with personal belongings creates a personal and pleasant atmosphere. All these factors result in a positive experience for those who work outside the office.

Neue Mitarbeiter kommunizieren und arbeiten auf andere Art und Weise miteinander

There are two major reasons why remote working is a rising trend. The technologic revolution and the changed mindset of the new global workforce – the Millennials and Gen Z.

Being born in the digital age, they set new standards for employers. They are ready to work hard and be loyal workers – in exchange for more flexible work arrangements. Millennials do believe that performance is what matters and not the hours they invest. Modern communication technology is part of their everyday life.

Cloud telephony and team collaboration tools perfectly embraces the work philosophy of this demographic. Millennials and Gen Z are like one with the new technologies and are trying to make the most of them. Employers should provide the teams with the right tools and integrated solutions. This will ensure increased efficiency and productivity of the whole team.

Companies today have a responsibility to adapt to the rising workforce. By using modern communications, a business guarantees a happy and motivated set of employees.