How working from home could help your company and employees

Remote working—how to do it and how to make it work for businesses and employees—is still very much a hot topic. Even before the pandemic, interest in flexible and remote work was growing, and today many employees and employers expect at least some work-from-home options.

Surveys conducted before the pandemic already showed that a large share of the workforce was interested in WFH at least one day per week. Since then, many companies have discovered that remote work can be a long-term part of how they operate, not just an emergency solution.

If you’re new to remote working and worried that it will negatively impact your business, there’s good news: there are a lot of benefits to a work-from-home model. Before you write it off, consider these advantages for both your company and your employees.

What does “working from home” really mean?

Working from home (or remote work) can look different from one company to another. It may include:

• Fully remote teams that rarely come into a physical office
• Hybrid models where employees split their time between home and the office
• Occasional work-from-home days for specific roles or situations

The right model for your business depends on your industry, the kind of work your team does, and your customers’ expectations. The benefits below apply to many types of remote or hybrid setups, not just fully remote companies.

Advantages of working from home 

Employees take fewer breaks

A Stanford University study conducted by professor Nicholas Bloom found a 13% increase in productivity from employees who worked from home versus those who worked in the office. Nine percent of that was attributed to employees working more minutes per shift. 

Based on this study, working from home can offer great benefits to your employees, such as fewer distractions and less time commuting, which decreases the need for breaks.

Cuts down on expenses

Allowing employees to work from home can help you save money on the cost of office space, especially if your office is in an expensive city like New York or San Francisco. With fewer employees requiring desks and computers in an office, you could opt for a smaller space. Not to mention, you will need less office supplies and items like coffee and snacks because not everyone is coming into the office.

Saves employees money 

When employees work from home, it makes their commuting budget virtually non-existent. This allows them to save more money every month to put into a 401k or to save for a vacation. Not having a chunk of your income allocated to commuting expenses can be incredibly liberating. 

Cuts down on office politics  

When people work from home, communication with colleagues and managers becomes more purposeful. There is less “water cooler” chat, and when you do talk to your coworkers, it’s usually for a meeting or to address something work-related. 

Sure, you still catch up about the weekend on your Monday morning calls, as you should (it’s good to build camaraderie with coworkers), but it tends to be less extensive compared to office conversations. With less time for chats that can quickly turn to gossip, remote companies may find that office politics decline. 

Attracts top talent

If you want to hire the best of the best for your company, a flexible working schedule is an attractive incentive to offer candidates. It also allows you to hire a more qualified person for the job since you’re not limited to hiring someone in your city or even state. If you have a remote working strategy at your company, you have the unique advantage of attracting top talent across the country and even the globe. 

Productivity

Many people are more productive at home. This can be attributed to fewer distractions and a quieter environment. Based on the study from Stanford, a group of 250 employees who worked from home was found to be 13% more productive than their colleagues who worked in the office. 

If you have employees who are hesitant about a remote working schedule, try implementing video conferencing and more frequent team meetings to make sure that those who are less comfortable working from home, have opportunities to stay engaged. 

Tap into other markets 

By hiring employees in other parts of the world, you have the advantage of tapping into their unique skill set based on their location. It’s a good way to bring fresh and diverse ideas into your company’s projects and processes. It also allows you to learn about other markets and look for business opportunities there.

Does working from home change your insurance needs?

When more of your team works from home, your risk profile shifts. Some risks—like slips and falls at the office—may decrease, but others can increase.

Depending on your business, you may want to review:

• Professional liability insurance: Protects against claims that your professional advice or services caused a client financial loss. This remains important whether your team works in an office or from home.
• General liability insurance: Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage claims, which can still occur if clients visit your home office or you travel to client locations.
• Cyber security insurance: Becomes especially important as more employees access systems and data remotely. It can help with some of the costs related to data breaches, hacks, and other cyber incidents.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): Helps protect business equipment such as laptops, monitors, and other tools employees use at home, subject to policy terms and limits.

As your working model changes, it’s a good idea to speak with an insurance professional to make sure your coverage keeps up.

Check out our blog for more tips and tools about how to grow your business.

Frequently asked questions

Is working from home really more productive? 

Many studies suggest that, for certain roles, working from home can improve productivity. In one Stanford study, a group of employees who worked from home were 13% more productive than those in the office, due to fewer breaks and fewer distractions. Results will vary by role and company, but with clear expectations and good communication, remote work can be at least as productive as traditional office work.

How can employers support employees who work from home? 

Employers can help by providing the right tools (such as laptops and secure access to systems), setting clear goals, offering training on remote work best practices, and checking in regularly. Encouraging boundaries and time off is also important to prevent burnout.

Does remote work mean I no longer need office space? 

Not necessarily. Some companies go fully remote and give up traditional office space altogether. Others maintain a smaller office for collaboration, meetings, or hybrid schedules. The right approach depends on your business model, team preferences, and budget.

Do I need different insurance if my employees work from home? 

You may not need a totally different policy, but it’s smart to review your coverage. Remote work can change your exposure to risks like cyber incidents, client interactions, and equipment loss or damage. Talk with an insurance professional to make sure your policies reflect how and where your employees actually work.