“Successfully working from home is a skill, just like programming, designing or writing. It takes time and commitment to develop that skill, and the traditional office culture doesn’t give us any reason to do that.”

– Alex Turnbell

With an advancement in technology and the advent of high-speed internet, remote work has gained a lot of popularity. Even before COVID disrupted our lives in 2020, people have been questioning the need to gather in a traditional office to fulfill their work obligations. After the pandemic hit, most jobs were made remote. People understood that working from home was a real possibility. In fact, a marked increase in productivity was noticed in those working away from home. With things back to normal, many organizations started calling their employees back to the office. This did not sit well with a lot of workers. They now knew that it was possible to be productive while working remotely. This prompted organizations to rethink their work arrangements. While some still stick to their traditional office setup, others have started offering hybrid job opportunities. Few have even made entire job positions remote after witnessing the increase in efficiency.

Advantages from an Employee Perspective

A large number of Millenials and Gen-Z folks prefer remote work over a traditional 9-5 office job. It gives them more freedom and flexibility. Let us have a look at the benefits of remote work from an employee perspective.

• Adaptability

Employees have the greater freedom to make their own schedules while working remotely. They can work when and where they please. This way they can fulfill both their personal and professional obligations at the same time. Remote workers have the unique opportunity to tailor a work environment that is best suited to their needs and preferences.

• Improved Work-Life Balance

With the option to work from anywhere, employees can spend more time with their family and friends. They can take off time to pursue their personal interests and take care of their personal work without putting their professional obligations on the back burner. Consequently, there is a decrease in stress levels and an increase in well-being.

• Cost and Time Saving

With remote work, employees no longer need to make long commutes to the office. It not only saves time but also money. As an added benefit, the lack of transportation helps us in reducing our carbon footprints.

Advantages from an Organizational Perspective

Though most big-name companies like IBM and Yahoo have opted to go back to the traditional office setup, there are many organizations that have come to understand the value of remote work. Companies that are willing to adapt and innovate are able to reap the many benefits of remote work. Let us have a look at them.

• Increased Productivity

Remote workers have the ability to customize their work environment. They have fewer distractions and the added benefit of dedicating more time to their personal pursuits. As a result, productivity increases.

• Access to a Worldwide Talent Pool

When work is no longer limited by location, organizations have the option to recruit individuals from anywhere in the world. They can hire top-notch employees from a diverse talent pool without any geographical constraints.

• Business Continuity

As we have seen during the Coronavirus pandemic, remote work is incredibly valuable during times of crisis. It ensures the functioning of a business regardless of external exigencies.  

• Job Satisfaction & Employee Retention

With remote work, employees are able to balance their professional and personal lives more effectively. Consequently, job satisfaction increases, leading to reduced attrition rates.

• Cost Savings

Remote work drastically reduces the operational costs of businesses. It allows organizations to cut back on office space, utilities, and commuting allowances.

Challenges

Many people think that working from home or anywhere other than an office is a luxury. However, this cannot be further from the truth. Remote work comes with its own set of challenges. Let us have a look at them.

• Work-Life Balance  

The boundary between professional and personal life is often blurred while working in a remote job role. Employees may find it difficult to turn off from their work mode and concentrate on their personal lives. This may lead to burnout.

• Technological Constraints

Despite the progress in technology, we often experience glitches. Connectivity issues and internet problems can disrupt work leading to frustration and productivity loss.

• Isolation & Communication Gap

Remote work can lead to loneliness. People may feel cut off from their work community. This leads to a communication gap. As a result of isolation and miscommunication, productivity is decreased.

• Employee Morale

Maintaining employee morale is the key to increasing productivity. With limited contact with managers and co-workers, workers may feel disconnected from their teams, leading to a fall in efficiency.

Strategies for Success

As we have already seen, remote work is not without its own challenges. However, it has its own pros and cons. In the near future, remote work may very well become the norm in the near future. Here are some effective strategies that you can adopt in order to succeed in the virtual era.

• Dedicate a Space for Work

It is essential to delineate a specific area as your workspace. This helps you focus, thus increasing productivity. Make sure that your workspace is devoid of distractions and has all the tools required for you to work efficiently. Adequate lighting, high-speed internet connectivity, a comfortable chair, and a proper table are only a few of the many things required to optimize your working experience.  

• Strive to be Self-Sufficient

One of the basic requirements of remote work is self-sufficiency. With limited contact with your managers and co-workers, it is upto you to become self-reliant, work independently, and take responsibility for your actions.

• Build Strong Listening & Communication Skills

Active listening and effective communication skills are the keys to remote work. As face-to-face interactions are limited, it is essential that you actively listen to your colleagues, articulate yourself properly, and understand your work commitments.

• Learn Effective Time Management & Organization Skills

In remote work, managers have little role to play. There is nobody there to hover and constantly remind you of deadlines. Hence, it falls up to you to organize everything properly and effectively manage your time. You can tools like calendars, time-tracking apps, and to-do lists, among other tools, to help you stick to deadlines. Another effective tip is to break down large-scale projects into small manageable tasks. This will help increase productivity and accountability.

• Become Tech Savvy and Aware of Collaboration Tools

To be an effective remote employee, one needs to be tech savvy. It is important to be proficient in all the new tools and platforms available. By knowing how to effectively use video conferencing, instant messaging, project management software, and virtual collaboration tools like Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet, among others, you can coordinate with your team and ensure seamless communication.

• Learn to Demarcate Clear Boundaries

While working from home, it is paramount that you set clear boundaries between your work life and personal life. Working from home does not mean that you have to work at all hours. It is important to know when to turn off work mode. In order to prevent burnout, prioritize self-care and make time for yourself.

• Build Trust & Accountability

With a lack of face-to-face interaction, it is important that you foster an environment of trust and accountability. Be transparent, communicate effectively, ask for clarifications if needed, and take responsibility for your actions to foster a culture of trust and accountability.

• Cultural Sensitivity

Working in a remote environment means that you will come across people from all corners of the world. You will be exposed to different cultures. It is important that you learn to be inclusive and respect people from all backgrounds.

Conclusion

Long gone are the days when people hoped to get a stable 9-5 job. Now, most of us strive to get an employment opportunity where we can maintain a reasonable degree of independence. When people are able to provide more productivity from home or while traveling, very few will opt to go back to the confined spaces of a traditional office. In the Virtual Age, remote work is the likely future. To succeed, one needs to adapt and grow.

Do comment and let me know your thoughts on the rise of remote work.

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