Let’s take a trip down memory lane.
The year was 2020 and almost every facet of life was transitioned to the digital landscape, leading to a paradigm shift in how we work – it was a big migration from office work to remote work.
Though remote work mode wasn’t a new idea, it was a luxury afforded to some by virtue of their status or nature of work. But since the COVID 19 pandemic in 2020, it has been widely adopted by many organisations as the new way to work.
While remote work offers numerous advantages like flexibility, enhanced work-life equilibrium, and decreased commuting hours ultimately leading to increased manhours, there’s also the other side of the coin.
According to a report by CNN, certain individuals have found remote work beneficial and are even contemplating quitting their jobs to pursue remote employment. However, some hurdles have been identified such as the feelings of isolation, loneliness, and very significantly, inability to maintain clear boundaries between personal and professional life.
As both sides of the divide have their advocates, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons.
Pros of Remote working
1. More flexibility:
Working remotely offers unmatched flexibility, allowing individuals to work from any location, thereby promoting improved work-life balance. By avoiding daily commutes, remote employees gain additional time for rest, family activities, personal interests or even work.
2. Boosted productivity:
According to some studies, the productivity of remote workers is often higher than that of onsite workers. In a Stanford study for example, remote workers were found to be 13% more productive than onsite workers.
3. More freedom:
Traditional employees typically work 8-9 hours in-office every day, all week long and often times, without the flexibility for personal errands or breaks. Remote employees, especially those with flexible schedules, have the freedom to structure their workday according to their preferences, whether that means working early mornings or late nights to maximise productivity.
4. Reduced business and infrastructure costs:
When fewer employees come to the office every day, you need fewer desks, equipment, and other utilities to support them. Moreover, you would also need a smaller space to accommodate all the employees coming to the office, thus leading to reduced rent costs.
5. Access to a global talent pool:
Remote work gives companies access to a broad pool of talent from around the world. As a result, organisations can hire the best talent no matter where they are physically located, thus increasing creativity, diversity of ideas, and innovation within their organisations.
Cons of Remote Working
1. Social isolation:
Individuals who thrive on social interactions may experience feelings of isolation and loneliness when they work remotely. It may be challenging to build strong relationships with colleagues without face-to-face interactions, resulting in a sense of disconnection from the larger team.
2. Lack of access to information:
Without the right on-boarding process, it can be challenging for remote employees to find and locate all the information they need to manage their work schedules. On the average, employees spend about 30 percent of their day searching for information. While working remotely, more employees are likely to find it more difficult accessing useful information or materials especially if access to the information is dependent on other team members. This may result in poor staff engagement.
3. Work-life boundaries are blurred:
Working remotely can offer flexibility. But it can also blur the line between work and private life, resulting in a constant feeling of being “on call.” It can be difficult to disconnect from work and take breaks when the workspace is also a private space. This lack of separation can negatively impact the staff’s mental well-being if not managed effectively.
4. Communication and collaboration are limited:
Even though technology facilitates virtual collaboration, some aspects of face-to-face interaction cannot be replicated remotely. A remote work environment can make it challenging to build trust through in-person interactions, non-verbal cues, and spontaneous brainstorming.
5. Connectivity and technological challenges:
Remote work hinges on robust technology infrastructure and dependable internet connectivity. Technical challenges such as internet outages, software glitches, hardware malfunctions, or insufficient expertise in tool usage can disrupt workflows and impede productivity.
6. Susceptibility to security and data breaches:
Remote work can increase the risk of cybersecurity threats which are usually caused by individuals who are lax about ensuring security protocols when using company tools. Thankfully, technology has advanced remote deployment and enforcement of security controls.
By carefully considering both the pros and cons of remote working, individuals and organisations can make informed decisions and adopt strategies to maximise the advantages while mitigating the drawbacks.
Whether you are a remote work enthusiast or a skeptic, one thing is clear – the future of work is evolving, and remote working is here to stay, shaping the way we work and live today, and in the years to come.
References:
Ladybird limited.
https://kissflow.com/digital-workplace/remote-work/pros-and-cons-of-working-remotely/
https://www.calendar.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-remote-work-embracing-a-flexible-future/
