Remote work offers several compelling benefits that make it an attractive option for many in the tech world. A big majority of software engineers are increasingly drawn to working from home and favor remote work. For example, 80% of engineers expressed a desire to have the option to work remotely at least part of the time, with 39% preferring to work remotely 100% of the time.
This new love for remote work isn’t shared only by nerdy software developers. According to the ‘Future of Workforce Pulse Report’ in 2021, 36.2 million Americans will be working from home by 2025 – an 87% increase from pre-pandemic data. Many companies, such as Twitter and Facebook, will stay remote even after the COVID crisis.
Have you ever considered hiring a remote developer? Here are just a few reasons to convince you ( because, guess what is what developers want) – if you still need some!
Why Do Software Engineers Prefer Working Remotely?
1. Increased Productivity
According to Owl Labs’ 2019 State of Remote Work report, virtual employees are more than 13% likely to stay in their role for around five years more than their onsite colleagues. 55% of remote workers state that they will look for another job if forced to go back to the office.
That same report stated that virtual teams take less vacation time than on-site teams. The flexibility of working from home allows a better schedule between private and professional life, reducing stress and time required. This, for you, means more productivity and loyalty. To keep their flexibility privileges, your virtual employees will put extra effort into respecting deadlines and giving you quality results.
2. Mental Health & Better Work/Life Balance
70% of hiring managers in virtual teams said that reducing non-essential meetings has improved productivity, 60% claimed increased working day flexibility, and 54% were delighted with the non-commute approach in virtual employment.
If you need to go Christmas shopping? Start work really early in the morning and work for 4 hours and then shop ‘til you drop. Fit in your other hours of work in the afternoon/evening. The same holds for dentist appointments, your kid’s sports day, visiting Grandma in the nursing home, etc.
Remote workers are happier with their jobs and less likely to quit or miss deliveries due to burnout because they can schedule their daily activities at their convenience.
3. Working at Home
Working from the couch, still in your PJs, is the most stereotypical image for remote workers. The truth is that most virtual employees find they are more productive working from a desk at home or from a coffee shop or co-working space.
The exception to that rule is when your software developer is sick. Then, rather than getting up and dressed, they can just start work. They can take a nap if they need one, or if they need to go to the doctor, they can go as well. The difference here is that, unlike on-site employees who are more likely to take the day off, your remote developer can still manage to do certain tasks.
4. Cost Savings
Software engineers like working from home mainly because it saves them money. They don’t have to spend on gas, bus fares, or car maintenance since there’s no need to commute. They also save on buying work clothes and eating out for lunch. Plus, they can choose to live in cheaper areas since they don’t need to be close to an office. These savings make remote work very appealing to software engineers.
Why Should Companies Hire Software Developers Globally?
Hiring remote software developers seems to be the new trend in 2021. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows how remote software employment increases up to 22% between 2019 and 2029. The demand for remote software developers will keep rising at such a high rate that, by 2026, the Bureau predicts a shortage of engineers around 1.2M only in the U.S.
With that said, hiring a software developer working from home is a winning solution for many companies.. With such high demands for software development, a remote position can offer a better life-work balance and more security in the long run. Working from the comfort of their own space, virtual development teams tend to be more productive and reliable. Companies can hire working from home software developers on social platforms, and as a result, they will cut company costs and widen the talent pool while increasing their productivity.
Never Hired a Remote Developer Before?
If you still have doubts about where to hire the best remote software developers, don’t worry! We are a remote recruitment agency with lots of advice over on our blog to help you with interviewing, onboarding, team-building, and more.
Moreover, if the idea of finding the right software developer in another part of the world seems too much for you, let DistantJob help you. We spend our time headhunting the best remote developers and matching them with great opportunities. If you want us to do that for you, get in touch. We would love to talk it over with you.
