The Millennial workforce is working from home more and more. This trend has been growing for years and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. A recent study from Polycom shows that almost a full third of employees around the globe are regularly working remotely. Close to two-thirds have some sort of flexible work schedule. It’s clear that the concept of the modern workplace is changing both rapidly and dramatically. The graphic below has some great solutions and statistics on the Millennial workforce and on staying connected in a work from home world.
The new challenge then becomes: how do you keep your employees connected and engaged as part of a cohesive team? Unsurprisingly, communication is key. With almost 80% of employees working on a team with someone based in a different office, developing inclusive communication strategies and workflows is essential to ensuring your team is up-to-date. Apps like Slack or Skype have become essential office tools regardless of whether your employees work remotely or not. Many companies are now using online collaboration apps like Google’s G Suite to increase productivity and organization. The ability to immediately share and edit documents has changed how and more importantly, where, we can collaborate. Hardware can be a great route as well. Installing something like a Nucleus intercom system in conference rooms can keep workers at home connected and maintain face to face communication.
This change has brought about a lot of positives as well: productivity is up and stress is down. Two-thirds of managers agree that remote workers have seen increases in productivity, while a full 82% of employees report lower stress levels. Giving your employees at least the option of working remotely, has been shown to reduce attrition rates, decrease overhead costs, and increase employee happiness.
If you’re looking to draw a younger workforce as part of your recruiting process, a flexible work schedule is a key benefit. Over two-thirds of millennials reported a work-from-home (WFH) benefit would “substantially increase their interest in an employer.” For job seekers looking for a more casual work environment, working from home might be just the opportunity you need to gain their attention.
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