Working remotely didn’t just randomly happen overnight.

The personal computer was introduced in 1975, allowing professionals normally confined to the workplace to take some of their work home with them. Fast forward to 1990, and the world wide web, along with email, was introduced to the masses. By the time Google launched in 1997, companies like IBM, American Express, and AT&T were already letting their employees telecommute at least part of the time.

In the time since, remote work has become even more commonplace. Here are some stats for you from 2017:

●       43 percent of employees work from home at least part of the time.

●       Once an employee works from home, 90 percent stated they would prefer to remain in that working arrangement for the rest of their professional careers.

●       Nearly 48 percent of companies are using remote workers in one way or another.

Wow.

Add in a pandemic, and the number of workers currently involved in a remote arrangement has shot through the roof. You don’t have to be part of the digital nomad community to score a remote job.

Here are the top six employee benefits you can expect while in a remote job:

Increase In Productivity

According to a recent study, remote workers work, on average, an hour a day more than their office counterparts. That’s 16 more days per year!

Office fatigue is real. Going to meetings you are not directly related to, office politics, noise, poor working conditions, and uncomfortable desk situations lead to higher stress, more money spent at the office, and an overall dip in productivity.

At home, you can make your office any way you would like it. Minimalistic. Modern. Cluttered. Bright. The choices are yours. When done correctly, this can make for a considerable uptick in productivity and performance.

You can sit in a giant chair made for a king or queen or have a small rolly chair with lumbar support. You can take breaks whenever you want. You can add a little basketball hoop over your home office trash can, and even take your dog out for a walk when it starts to get restless.

If you enjoy where you work, you’re likely to do more, and better, work throughout your day.

What better way to enjoy where you work than in a nice set of trousers and a cozy jumper?

Without office distractions, a remote worker can better focus on the tasks at hand instead of an array of other duties and responsibilities not directly correlated to their job description.

Promote Positive Environment Effects

This giant rotating planet called Earth in our solar system is the only proof there is life in the universe. If you enjoy sky-scraping mountains, dense forests and jungles, beautiful animals roaming savannas in Africa, or the birds in your backyard, Earth is a pretty cool place.

When you enter into a remote work arrangement, you immediately give the planet a break. The environmental impact of chilling at your house while you do your work is enormous. You reduce greenhouse gas emissions by not riding the bus or driving to work in your car. You reduce your fuel usage, cutting down on the 1.5 billion liters of petrol used every day. You reduce office waste such as plastics and paper, instead opting to send an email or a Slack message. Instead of damaging the planet, you could even enjoy a walk through the park or an hour-long break to your nearest nature reserve.

Save Money

The following might shock you.

A recent study by SmartAsset shows that the average office commuter spends £2,000 per year on fuel alone. Spend £10 a day on food, and you’re down another approximately £2,000 for the year. Do you work in a crowded city with limited parking? If you have to drive to the office, get ready to fork over another £2,000 per year - much more if you’re working in London.

Maybe you live alone, or your partner also does the daily commute. That means £1,000 per year if you’re having someone take care of your dog. Daycare costs vary.

But that’s not all.

New clothes aren’t cheap, and you have to look the part while you’re at the office. Even if you buy a new outfit for £100 once every three months, that’s still an extra £400 a year. Do you like coffee? If you like ordering in from your favorite cafe or chain down the street, expect another yearly bill of £500.

Do the math, and that’s about £8,000 per year of costs directly correlated to working in an office.  What could you do with an extra £8,000? Remote work is different from freelancing. As a remote worker, you are often employed by a company and get the perks of a salaried position, such as paid time off, health benefits, etc. Most of the time, freelancers do not get these perks, although they can also work from the location of their choosing.

As a remote worker, you are getting the same salary. You are also saving up by eating at home, drinking coffee from the pot, not driving, and being able to spend more time with your loved ones. Still not convinced?

Less Stress

A recent survey showed that one of the most stressful parts of working from the office is just getting to the office. The average driving time to work is nearly an hour. Road rage and slow drive times make the daily commute uncomfortable for many.

On top of limiting office-related distractions during the day, keeping out of office politics, and having a quieter and more comfortable workspace, remote workers can take care of their mental, physical and psychological well-being from home better than they can from the office.

Employees are often frowned upon for taking a half-day or a long weekend. While working remotely, you can take the time you need during your day without your colleagues’ eyes on you. Healthier living promotes less stress as well as better performance, productivity, and efficiency. If you feel good, you do good.

Make Your Own Office

Close your eyes and think about your office space. What do you see?

There might be variations, but the standard things probably come to mind. A cubicle or desk. A computer. Some storage. Hopefully, a window. Many times employees are not able to pick or choose where they work. They are assigned a workstation and will likely stay there for the foreseeable future.

Human resources might throw a big stack of papers on your desk when you first arrive. These papers will tell you what you can or cannot have at your workstation, when you need to be at your workstation, and a list of best practices on how to decorate your workstation to maximize productivity. Mentally rip up that stack of papers.

When you work remotely, all the rules go out the window. Okay, maybe not all of them. You probably have to have a computer with a reliable internet connection and a webcam for virtual meetings. But the rest is totally up to you.

Minimalism is in: Find a bright space in your home, add a standing or sitting desk with a comfortable chair, computer, mouse, and an additional monitor. Bring in a plant or two as a living, breathing companion and decorate with anything and everything that makes you happy. For some people, this is perfect. Other people like having anything and everything around them, creating a homey and cozy space.

That’s the beauty of remote work, though. It’s your choice. Not your employer’s.

Opportunities To Travel

As long as you can get your tasks done on time, log in during regular work hours, and get to meetings on time, remote work allows employees to explore the world.

See the sunrise over the Taj Mahal and head back to your hotel for your workday. Finish work on a Friday and head into the Saharan Desert to see how bedouins live with their camels in Morocco. Just make sure you’re back in internet range by Monday. Take a vacation without having to take your vacation time. Head out for a long weekend. Globetrot solo or with your partner and start a life of adventure. The opportunities are endless.

Also, countries around the world are opening their doors to remote workers. Head to Antigua and Barbuda for two years on their digital nomad visa. Take a breath of fresh air in Estonia and work there for a full year. Head to the mountainous country of Georgia and live on the cheap with their new remote work visa.

More than 10 countries are offering remote workers long-term visas.

Ready to make a move to remote? Search for your remote job today.