Home Office and alternative working hours: the new era of flexibility in the labor market

 Models such as remote work, flexible hours and reduced weeks are becoming increasingly common, responding to new demands for flexibility and work-life balance Continuous Pnad, disclosed by IBGE, in 2022, Brazil registered approximately 9.5 million people who worked remotely, which represented about 9.8% of the total number of employed people who were not away from work. 

For Juliano Dias, Meetz CEO, the implementation of the home office has brought many benefits. “The model has proven to be an effective solution to many of the demands for flexibility.It not only reduces the time and stress associated with commuting, but also allows employees to create a work environment that meets their individual needs, regardless of their geographical locations”, he says.

In addition, the home office has been playing a central role in the implementation of alternative journeys, innovation that is being consolidated as an important trend in the labor market. The category allows employees to adjust their schedules according to their personal responsibilities, and this flexibility can lead to an increase in employee satisfaction and, consequently, in their productivity.

“When we talk about alternative journeys, we are thinking about quality of life, being able to offer our employees the possibility of being with the family, not having to spend hours moving to the company, being able to enjoy life in a lighter way.” explains Dias.

In addition to the individual benefits, these practices bring advantages to companies. By adopting them, organizations can diversify their staff, with people from different places in the country, bringing views on culture, innovation and different learning. In addition to ensuring a more productive environment, companies can observe an increase in motivation and engagement. However, it is important that companies implement appropriate strategies to manage remote teams, maintaining effective communication and collaboration.

These changes are consequences of the new realities of the market, which is no longer willing to accept journeys that do not value its employees, such as the 6×1 scale.“The transformation in work practices is an opportunity to create more flexible and inclusive environments. Companies that adopt these changes are well positioned to attract and retain talent, as well as optimize their operation.”.

Technology has become crucial in enabling these new working modalities. Online collaboration tools, task management platforms and video conferencing software are essential to maintain productivity and communication in a remote work environment. “The implementation of appropriate technologies is critical to success. It is important to invest in equitable solutions that can ensure effective communication and efficient management of activities, regardless of where employees are, such as chats, video conferences and project management platforms that allow all employees to participate.”, points Juliano Dias.

In addition, assistive technologies, such as software and adaptive devices, play an essential role in ensuring autonomy and inclusion for all employees. These tools allow all employees, regardless of their physical, sensory or geographical limitations, to have chances to participate fully in professional activities.

Another positive factor is the significant implications for the economy and the environment. Reducing daily commuting can lead to a decrease in transportation costs for employees and less congestion in large cities.In addition, fewer daily trips result in a lower emission of polluting gases, contributing to environmental sustainability. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we could see the migration of face-to-face work methods to the remote. According to an analysis made by IEA (International Energy Agency) the amount of oil saved around the world during this period was 11.9 million tons per year, representing about 250 thousand barrels per day.After the general count, a drop in consumption of some 24 million tons in CO2 emissions was analyzed.

This change did not go unnoticed by the general public, who during the search “Ecologically Conscious Workers”, commissioned by GoTo by LogMeIn and conducted by OnePoll, where during the last three weeks of March, it was possible to analyze that, on average, about 50.32 hours a day are spent in traffic to work. “We are observing not only a positive impact on the lives of employees, but also a significant contribution to sustainability.

The future of work is drawing with more flexibility and innovation. Companies that embrace these changes will be better prepared to face challenges and seize the opportunities of a constantly evolving labor market. “We are just at the beginning of a major transformation.We will continue to seek ways to improve and adapt our processes to offer an increasingly flexible, efficient and inclusive work environment.