When I first realized I wanted to get into the marketing and communications field, something I kept hearing was that I could work remotely. If I wanted to travel, I could work in different cities and countries. I have always thought this was wishful thinking, but now that I live this truth, I truly understand that I can make this dream a reality.
I know I’m not alone in having the desire to travel and be successful at the same time. According to Inc, 82 per cent of millennials say they would be more loyal to their employers if they had flexible work options. We’ve grown up around technology; why wouldn’t we rely on it to work remotely?
Up until now, I’ve had quite a bit of experience with remote work. From conducting Zoom or Teams calls with clients, to crafting social media calendars, writing blog posts, and managing internal/external communications, I didn’t ever have to be in a physical office.
Don’t get me wrong – I have absolutely no issues with a physical office, and have had plenty of in-person meetings with clients, too. But, you have to admit, working by the beach in January sounds like a dream for those of us who live in Toronto, ON.
After conducting some research, I realized just how common remote work is becoming.
The potential for remote work is only just beginning
The reality is, remote work is the way of the future. The concept of working from 9 to 5 is outdated by 200 years, says Forbes. Responsibilities, such as caring for young children, may hinder your 9-5 working hours. As long as you are able to complete quality work, collaborate when necessary and meet deadlines, it shouldn’t matter where you are nor what time you’re getting your work done.
According to Totaljobs, 28 per cent of employees would move jobs if they were not allowed to work from home. Specifically, with millennials, there has been a huge shift towards prioritizing working remotely when looking for a new job.
Not to mention the myriad of benefits that comes with workplace flexibility. Every day expenses such as transportation and food can be almost completely eliminated. That’s less wear and tear on your car, less junk food intake on lunch breaks, and most importantly, less damage to your wallet. Yearly savings can range between $2000 to $7000, says Forbes, depending on how often you buy lunch and/or coffee and how far your commute is. However, time is money and the savings in time from remote work are phenomenal.
In my opinion, the biggest benefit is to be able to wake up, turn the coffee maker and the laptop on, and start my day. No need to drive in bumper-to-bumper morning traffic; no need to stress and count the minutes until you arrive at work; and no need to worry about whether you have time to brew a coffee in the morning or pick one up on the way.