We have all heard about the many advantages of remote work – the flexibility, the saved costs, the freedom. Work no longer feels like work, as you are no longer confined to the traditional restrictions of an office. You get to control your work hours, you can take needed breaks, and you don’t have to listen to Karen from accounting complain about her daughter-in-law for a straight 15 minutes every morning.
However, it also presents challenges, particularly regarding maintaining a healthy work-life balance and prioritizing wellness.
Well, for starters, working at home means blurred lines between your career and home life. When does the day start? And where’s that satisfying plop on the bed after a long day’s work? You’ve been in bed all day – there’s no spot to plop on.
Anyone who has worked remotely can relate. There are days when you’ve realized that you haven’t left the house in three days. You’ve only eaten take-out the entire week, and you realize you haven’t taken more than 30 steps the entire day because you’ve been in front of your computer for more than 16 hours.
The comfort of working from home can sometimes be too much. It makes you lazy, unmotivated, and just unhealthy. Working at the office at least forced you to walk ten minutes to the subway, or grunt through three flights of stairs – but now, going to work just meant you waking up and moving from your bed to your desk.
Don’t worry, it’s a shared experience. In fact, it’s a reality that Outsource Access has recognized. That’s why it has made wellness for its employees a priority. Working remotely does not seem like a trend that will fade anytime soon – a study by Upwork shows that by 2025, an estimated 32.6 million Americans will be working remotely, which equates to about 22% of the workforce [2]. This projection suggests a continuous, yet gradual, shift towards remote work arrangements.
Outsource Access (OA) is a US and Philippines based startup that connects businesses with skilled professionals from around the globe. Following the global trend, OA operates on a fully remote basis, leveraging technology to bridge the gap between clients and professionals.
Aside from providing quality service, OA is also dedicated to its community’s wellness. It understands that in today’s hustle and bustle, taking care of yourself isn’t just a luxury—it’s a must-do. Skipping out on wellness can mess with everything from your energy levels to your mojo at work.
According to recent studies, companies that prioritize wellness experience higher employee engagement and lower rates of absenteeism. Furthermore, for every $1 invested in employee wellness programs, companies can expect a return of $3 in reduced healthcare costs and increased productivity.
That’s why OA is delving into different opportunities to keep its employees active, social, and happy. The company has established all kinds of clubs for members with shared interests to join and bond. From arts and crafts, pet-lovers, and to the more physically active activities like yoga and badminton, OA has a club for an employee to be part of.
These initiatives encourage the community to have a more balanced lifestyle. Furthermore, it allows the members to socialize and foster new relationships. One of the downsides of remote-work is the isolation from one’s workmates – the OA clubs solves this problem. Wellness is more than just being physically active, it is also about mental health.
“It’s like a breath of fresh air.” Joanne, a newbie at Yoga shares. Outsource Access holds an open weekly yoga session for its members every friday. “I love the community and of course, the weekly exercise.” She adds. In the artistic side of OA, Maria also shares her insights as a member of the OA Creative Community Club. “We have all these initiatives to learn new kinds of crafts – I feel like I get to grow both my career and talents here at OA.”
Its club activities are currently held in the city of its main office, Cagayan de Oro City. However, Outsource Access is slowly expanding its reach. OA communities in Iligan, for example, have now started their own Yoga Friday sessions as well. The value of wellness is certainly spreading across the country.
Outsource Access not only recognizes the health problems that remote work may bring, but is also committed to facing them. It is determined to see flexibility as an advantage – an opportunity. By fostering a community, encouraging physical activity, and honing individual talents, Outsource Access is determined to redefine how remote work is done.