The way that people view their work, and its place in their lives, is changing. Men are more likely to balance their time between work and with their families. Women are more likely to continue working after they have kids. This shift is especially true of Millennials who desire a deep sense of purpose and the ability to dictate where and when they work.
It’s not just a Millennial issue, though. 68%of all U.S. workers expect to work remotely at some point in their careers. We believe that if non-profit organizations can adapt to this changing landscape, they will be able to accomplish their mission at a high level and even teach the for-profit sector a thing or two!
Here’s why your non-profit should embrace remote work.
Recruit and Retain Rockstars
According to alliedtelecom.net, 33% of non-profits reported that hiring is the biggest staffing challenge they face. The best way to expand your pool of high-caliber candidates is to appeal to the growing number of people who value the opportunity to work remotely. Even though you will have to be patient in the hiring process, widening the net increases the amount of quality candidates.
Embracing remote work also helps you retain good employees. 74% of Millennials want a more flexible work schedule while 63% say that they are more likely to join an organization that allows them to telecommute. When you combine these statistics to the fact that 50% of remote workers are less likely to quit their jobs, it’s a no-brainer for any non-profit to consider moving toward a more flexible workplace.
Decrease Overhead
Allowing employees to exchange a traditional, private work space for the flexibility to work from home reduces overhead costs by 40 to 50%. Not only is there a decreased need for office space, but there are no longer budget line-items for toiletries, coffee, and office supplies. Kate Lister of Telework Research Network claimed that companies could save up to $10,000 per employee on an annual basis. If you do the math, shifting to remote workplaces could save American business $650 billion a year.
Non-profits have a mission to accomplish that is different from the typical for-profit organization. Some work hands-on with the poor and care for the marginalized in society. Others lobby for change on Capitol Hill or provide services for our country’s veterans. The world is better off when non-profits like these have the resources to serve the people in their sphere of influence. By decreasing overhead, your organization has more resources to fulfill its mission.
Increase Trust in the Organization
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know there is an increasing distrust of organizations and their leaders across the U.S. The most obvious example is the constant cynicism toward American politics. How does this affect non-profits? It means that people are less trusting of their leaders and how they allocate resources. However, shifting to a more flexible workplace can increase people’s trust in three ways:
- More transparency leads to more trust. Embracing remote work allows non-profits to hire freelancers. Because freelancers are typically paid a consistent rate around the country, and are open about what they charge, the public can get an idea of how the organization spends its money.
- More visibility leads to more trust. Many non-profits hire employees who engage, one-on-one, in the community, with their clients. Removing the traditional office space encourages team members to be out of the office even more than usual.
- More impact leads to more trust. With a decreased overhead, non-profits can allocate more resources toward serving their clients. One company found that embracing a remote workforce increased productivity by 18%. Imagine the good PR that comes with that kind of impact!
Consider the Cost
It’s impossible to avoid this trend. Leaders of non-profits can either leverage the opportunity to improve their organization or watch as high-capacity employees are snatched away and expensive, traditional office space continues to take up a large percentage of their budget.
We know it’s scary to change your methods. But, we are passionate about helping you embrace remote work for the purpose of making an even bigger impact in the world.
What’s holding you back?