4 reasons remote employees are more productive than office employees

This is one story in our series on the benefits of working from home. Read how working from home can save you money for more.

The debate over whether remote workers are more productive than their traditional office counterparts has been going on for a while. When you think of remote working, you might imagine people lounging on their couches with their laptops. However, there are plenty of studies indicating remote employees are quite productive. Here are four reasons remote employees are actually more productive than those who work in an office setting. 

1. The work-from-home setting has fewer distractions.

Fighting workplace distraction is one of the biggest hurdles to productivity. From long coffee breaks to gossip, there are plenty of ways that your employees might lose focus. Conversely, the remote work setting has fewer distractions. In fact, according to a poll conducted by SurePayroll, 86% of those who participated in the survey said that they hit maximum productivity when they work alone. 

      2. Remote workers manage their own schedules.

Not everyone is most productive during “normal” working hours. While some people tend to be more focused during the day, others do their best work at night. Remote workers have the advantage of choosing to work when they feel most productive. Employees who have the flexibility to decide when to work are able to streamline their tasks and work more efficiently.

      3. Remote workers are more satisfied.

When it comes to productivity, job satisfaction is crucial. Happy employees tend to be more efficient at managing their tasks and are more productive. According to Owl Labs 2020 "State of Remote Work," 77% of individuals surveyed reported that working remotely would allow them the ability to manage work-life balance.  

      4. Remote workers are less stressed.

Employees who feel stressed at work face challenges in learning and concentrating on tasks. High stress levels caused by both everyday life annoyances and unexpected special circumstances can lead to reduced productivity in the traditional office.

One way working from home reduces stress is by eliminating the lengthy commute that many office workers must endure. Instead of spending time sitting in traffic, employees invest that time working. More time means better work-life balance, which also reduces stress and ultimately makes workers more productive. 

Since 2013, Axia Public Relations has encouraged its employees to work from home. Some team members work remotely three to four days a week, while others are remote workers five days a week. It's one of the many reasons Axia went 63 months with zero employee turnover.