Over the last few years, largely thanks to worldwide pandemics and required quarantines, telecommuting and providing flexibility in work schedules was a benefit that employees prevalently sought. Many employers recognized the benefit in remote work, providing their employees with an opportunity to manage both their home lives and work lives efficiently.

When the COVID-19 pandemic started to wind down, several positions that were temporarily remote were required to return to the office. A large number of jobs however, transitioned into a permanent or hybrid-remote arrangement, with the ongoing benefits outweighing any concerns. Those mutually beneficial rewards include:

• High Levels of Morale = Lower Levels of Stress – (A + B = C) When your employees have higher levels of morale, they are less stressed about their work, are more motivated to perform at their best, and will in turn produce quality work. Employees who are happier and healthier often have a sense of autonomy over their work and providing them with this opportunity can help with engagement and reducing burnout.

• Retention and Reduction of Turnover – For many employees, when the desired work-life balance is met, there is no need or desire to seek work elsewhere as they are content in the stability they’ve established in their position. Recruitment is expensive. Employees who have flexibility are proven to be less likely to leave an organization and are more loyal in the long run.

• Productivity and Work Hours – A huge benefit for employers who have remote employees is the option to extend work hours. With employees working from home, work schedules can be far more flexible (e.g., an employee starting later and working until 8pm versus 5pm) which can benefit your customers and clients, particularly when factoring in varying time zones and industrial needs.

Making the desires and needs of your employees a priority proves to them that you genuinely care about their both their professional productivity and their personal aspirations. Granted, organizational needs should always be a top priority, but if you can meet your employees halfway and can offer them incentives and opportunities to grow and perform at their very best, you can reap the benefits of highly motivated and tenured employees who will remain productive and loyal to your organization.