During the pandemic, remote work didn’t just become more commonplace; it was an outright necessity for maintaining operations. In the years since, many professionals have diligently tried to keep working remotely as part of their paradigm, and those who’ve yet to have a chance to try it often seek out such opportunities.
However, like all work arrangements, there are benefits and drawbacks to remote work. Here’s what you need to know about the pros and cons of working remotely.
The Benefits of Remote Work
There are plenty of excellent reasons why professionals tend to favor remote work. Often, it allows them to eliminate their commute, reducing their expenses and giving them more time for personal activities. The arrangement also makes caring for loved ones – such as children or family members with medical conditions – easier, as well as potentially less expensive when compared to alternatives like needing daycare or assistance from a home health aide.
Many professionals also find that they’re more productive when working from home, as they aren’t subject to office-based distractions. Coworkers aren’t randomly stopping by for chats and sounds from ringing phones or nearby conversations aren’t drawing their attention away from their work.
Remote work can also provide some flexibility when it comes to schedules. While whether that’s available does depend on the individual job’s requirements, flexibility is more common among professionals that work from home.
The Drawbacks of Remote Work
While remote work does come with an array of benefits, there are some drawbacks that come with the equation. The lack of a physical presence in an office can hinder bonding, as building relationships solely through digital communication channels can prove challenging. There aren’t as many opportunities for casual interaction, which may make it harder for coworkers to get to know one another.
Additionally, some collaboration typically occurs asynchronously when everyone is working remotely, which can slow down progress on group projects. Similarly, getting quick answers to questions when an urgent situation arises may prove challenging.
In some cases, there can also be issues relating to trust. The lack of direct oversight may make managers or colleagues suspicious about how others are spending their time, which can damage relationships and harm the company’s culture.
If the company uses a hybrid approach – where some employees are at the worksite, and others are 100 percent remote – it can also create a divide between the in-person group and the remote group. Those who spend time in the same workplace may share information with each other that doesn’t reach their telecommuting colleagues, essentially creating a silo within a team that can hinder productivity or cause further issues.
Ultimately, remote work has its fair share of pros and cons. For some professionals, it may be the perfect fit, but others may be better served by heading to the office. If you’d like to learn more or want to find a right-fit job opportunity that can elevate your career, The Squires Group wants to hear from you. Contact us today.
