Why All Tech-Based Companies Should Let Their Employees Work Remotely

young+woman+sitting+under+a+tree+looking+at+a+laptop

Content provided by legal writers

Who could have predicted the monumental disruption that took place in 2020? Global events unfolded rapidly, pushing companies around the world to adopt remote work technologies and compliance policies on the fly.

While many businesses have embraced a hybrid office approach in 2021, remote practices are still more prevalent than ever, especially in the tech realm.

Why should tech-based companies continue to go all-in on remote work? Let’s talk to business owners in the industry and see what they have to say on the future of remote collaboration, management, and other key topics.

Unexpected Advantages of Remote Work

On paper, remote work comes with a long list of pros and cons.

However, as the past year or so has shown, the benefits far outweigh any downsides we might have anticipated, especially with such a quick shift to remote policies.

“As we’ve moved to virtual work, we haven’t just coped, we’ve actually thrived,” said Suresh Kumar, CTO at Walmart. “We are more focused on the things that have the greatest impact for our customers, associates and the business. We are making quicker decisions and actions. Meetings are now more inclusive of people regardless of location, level, or other differences. We have great momentum and need to figure out how to carry it forward.”

Flexibility is at the top of the list of remote work benefits for many businesses, and in the high-pressure world of tech, a bit of flex goes a very long way.

“Giving employees the ability to work when and where they want is a game-changer in so many ways,” said Kashish Gupta, Founder and CEO of Hightouch. “The result has been more creativity, smoother collaboration, and a workforce that knows how to manage stress and time restrictions much more effectively.”

The benefits of flexible scheduling go hand in hand with work-life balance, which has been another big topic as more tech firms shift into the world of remote work.

“Working from home is definitely not an instant antidote for burnout or overworking, but it’s a step in the right direction in terms of balance for employees and execs,” said Jason Wong, CEO of Building Blocks. “Instead of being stuck in an office all day, people have the ability to segment chunks of work in the morning or afternoon, and take some personal time in between.”

Every business has a different remote work policy, however, and we’ve seen plenty of variation in how companies implement rules and restrictions.

“I’m all for facilitating flexible work schedules, but at a certain point, you need to be on the clock and available to communicate with your team,” said Assembly AI Founder and CEO Dylan Fox. “That’s a healthy way to do business, in my opinion, since it promotes a level of accountability from you and your coworkers. It’s a hidden advantage that I’ve experienced and others have confirmed.”

Employees and Leaders Benefit Equally

The positive impact of remote work is not asymmetrical between team members, supervisors, and executives as tech companies navigate these new policies.

Business owners find that remote work is beneficial for employees at every level, provided they have the proper tech and protocols in place.

“As the leader of my company I definitely feel that I have more visibility and input at every level of the business thanks to the remote infrastructure we’ve developed,” says Awesome OS CEO Eric Gist. “The barriers that once existed are not as prohibitive anymore. I can get in touch with anyone, at any time, no matter where they are in the organization. Progress happens more efficiently and without delay.”

From an employee standpoint, more workers feel empowered to make their voices heard through improved channels of communication.

“There’s a growing sense of democratization in the workplace now that communication has been amplified and accelerated,” says Cody Candee, Co-Founder and CEO of Bounce. “People who would have stayed quiet in the office now feel confident to share their thoughts about a project or strategy. Allowing for more feedback and input from teams is never a bad thing.”

As many executives report, remote policies have also been a motivator to run a tighter, more organized operation, which has yielded numerous improvements.

These leaders are also now more attuned to the daily operations within a business, as well as input coming from all channels of the web and beyond.

“The onset of remote work has forced us to streamline our communications in a way that nothing can slip through the cracks like they once did,” said Ryan Rottman, Co-Founder and CEO of OSDB. “I can no longer rely on verbal memos or reminders, so I need to be locked into my workstation and make sure everything is fine-tuned from the top down. That means more precision, fewer mistakes, and better outcomes in all areas of the company.”

Hesitation to Go Fully Remote

Despite the widespread success of remote work practices in the tech sphere, some business leaders are apprehensive about making the leap in full.

“We’ve spoken to executives who aren’t convinced about remote technology, fearing it will cost too much or not be worth the effort of implementation,” said Ryan Rockefeller, Co-Founder and CEO of Cleared. “I would have understood that point of view a few years ago, but now, there’s no valid reason to hold back from remote work.”

Another common hesitancy is the rollback of restrictions and a return to a pre-pandemic world that doesn’t necessitate remote work. Is this a reason to avoid remote work altogether?

“Even if we somehow revert back to a 2019 ‘normal’ realize that the momentum towards remote communication and productivity was already in full swing,” says PT Pioneer Founder and Senior Editor Tyler Read. “It never serves a business to be anti-innovation in any regard.”

For businesses still worried about cost and tech troubles, leaders in the tech space are convinced the process is much easier than we ever imagined.

“The myth that still prevails is this idea that going remote involves a massive overhaul and tons of upfront investment that can’t be managed in a short timeframe,” said Dylan Arthur Garber, Co-Founder of Audien Hearing. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. Remote infrastructure largely exists in the cloud as SaaS subscriptions and there’s minimal labor required.”

What Does the Future of Remote Work Hold in Tech?

The remote work revolution has only just begun, and we’re all eager to see what happens next. Innovation is inevitable as more tech executives and talented employees buy into the trend.

“This is just the natural evolution of the tech industry that many of us have anticipated for years,” said Michael Hennessy, Founder and CEO of Diathrive. “What begins in the tech world will soon branch out into medical, media, retail, and all other areas of the economy.”

It’s true: all industries are eager to see what can be accomplished through remote work applications, policies, and an open-minded attitude towards innovation.

“The ripple effects of remote work are overwhelmingly positive for where business is going in the next few years,” says Carrie Derocher, CMO of TextSanity. “Get ready to see an even bigger focus on efficiency, communication, and all the benefits we’ve enjoyed from remote technologies and practices. It has set a great precedent for service moving forward.”

If you need a final reason to be optimistic about remote work and the technology that powers it, remember that there is a long road of innovation still ahead.

“All of our work is being reimagined now that things are shifting remote,” says Reddit Co-Founder Alex Ohanian. “Tools like these are still in the bronze age. No one had been obsessing over things like these for the last 10 to 15 years. However, they are, as of last year.”

There will always be some businesses behind the curve in terms of tech, and the development of remote work is no different.

Even if companies are not 100% committed at this juncture, the incentives are there to move in a remote direction. By embracing these technologies and willingness to adapt, you and your business are well ahead of the pack.


This content is provided by an independent source for informational purposes only and does not contain legal advice. Consult an attorney or financial advisor when making decisions. This information is provided by legal writers and does not reflect the views or opinions of The Daily Sundial editorial staff.