It’s hard to recall how different my life was in January 2020. The world has undergone many changes, but not all of them were negative. Two years ago, I was in a career where I never thought I’d have the flexibility to work from home. It was something I desired, but it wouldn’t have happened without an extreme circumstance.
Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. One lay-off and career transition later, and I became a permanent remote worker. In my old position, I worked in an office for 20 months before becoming “temporarily remote” for my final 16 months.
Now, I’ve had two experiences with remote work. I’ve experienced some great benefits, but I can’t deny I’ve faced struggles I didn’t deal with in the office. I know many industries have incorporated remote work, and many employees are looking for flexibility. While there’s a lot to celebrate in our new work culture, we shouldn’t overlook potential challenges.
No Commute
Perhaps the biggest reason people would rather work from home, commuting to a job can be a waste of time (assuming you don’t need to interact with people directly). Nobody wants to sit in traffic at the beginning of the day and return to it when getting out of work. Avoiding this rush seems to be a major perk.
The Good
Obviously, this allows us to save time and money. Personally, I’ve driven substantially less since going remote. This means I fill up on gas less frequently, and my car requires less maintenance. I also have my commute time to do whatever I please, so I can wake up later and leave work with the tap of a button.
When I was “temporarily” remote, I dreaded the return of hopping in my car each morning. It can be cold, you need to dress for the elements, and my final destination is just a different computer. I was losing hours of my life each week behind a wheel, and I got paid for none of it.
The Bad
When your home is your office, you’re never out of office. I’d like to think I’m a good worker, and I’m fortunate to have a job I enjoy. So, when I have downtime at home, I see my work computer sitting on my desk. There’s the temptation to open it and get ahead at work.
I’ve done this more than I’d like to admit. In the past, I’d deal with workplace frustrations by avoiding work, which would inevitably allow me to recharge. Now, I have the freedom to be “proactive.” Perhaps some people have the capacity to fully ignore their computer when they’re off-hours, but most people I’ve talked to feel some obligation to be available in case of an “emergency.”
Time Flexibility
In addition to removing commute time, being at home affords you some flexibility. During your workday, you can complete chores or schedule appointments with the ability to resume working upon completion.
The Good
When I first started working at home, I only did minor housework. I’d load the dishwasher or laundry and let the machine run. As time progressed, my boundaries expanded. Soon I was going to the grocery store at lunch and cleaning my “office space.” Admittedly, I never did less work, I just incorporated daily chores into my day.
It was great to have these things completed when I logged off at night. Now, I had fewer chores to do and no commute time. By balancing my schedule correctly, I had more hours to myself.
The Bad
When working at home, the employee assumes much more responsibility for managing their schedule. Employers might allow some autonomy, but having an office space sets clearer boundaries. It often helps to create a work-life balance rather than a work-life blend.
Yes, it’s nice getting laundry done throughout the day, but you know what sucks? When your coworker calls at 7 PM because they know you’ll answer. Removing the physical boundaries makes it difficult to set time boundaries; especially when you work across time zones. At times, it feels like every convenience from the flexibility is met with two inconveniences.
You Build Your Office
Unlike many great things in this world, my home office was built in a day. In fact, it took moments for my apartment bedroom to transform into a bedroom-office hybrid. When it comes to your office space, the experience can vary greatly. Your company can be responsible for making your space great or awful.
The Good
More recently, I started my second remote role. I was given a computer, phone, and accessories for my devices. I was also given a stipend for a desk and chair, which allowed me to get a standing desk for the first time ever. This made a huge impact for me because my first remote role gave me none of that.
Even without business-provided equipment, the ability to have a mobile office has its perks. I could migrate outside and work in the sunshine, or move to the living room for a change in scenery. I could play music out loud or listen to a podcast. No one was patrolling my environment, just my work.
The Bad
In my first remote role, I needed to supply all of my own equipment. Admittedly, the role became remote due to the pandemic. Then “two weeks to stop the spread” turned to 16 months and I got a different job. When I left, there was no compensation for the equipment I provided for myself.
My current role is significantly better, but there were times when being in-office felt better. If I need to get a notebook, I need to head to the store, and if I need to print something I’d need to actually buy a printer. Tech support can also be hit-or-miss. Software support can be provided remotely, but there’s undoubtedly a benefit to having someone sitting at your hardware. Inevitably, we all deal with tech support, and it’s easiest when done face-to-face.
Fewer Interruptions
When I work at home, it’s just me and my computer (though I recognize people with children or partners may not have this luxury). There are no coworkers to swing into my office and gossip about the new, trivial departmental changes or vent over our recent staff meeting. Instead, it’s just me and the job I’m paid to do.
The Good
I spend much less time with fluffy communications. Ultimately, I want to work, accomplish tasks, and improve my skills. Some social interaction is great, but many people overstay their welcome.
When all of your meetings are on Zoom, most little annoyances are muted. And let’s be real: when the topic isn’t super pertinent to my job, I can divert my attention elsewhere. I’ve wasted a lot of time in meetings because people were fighting to get the last word. If I’m looking at emails during those dragging conversations, it doesn’t feel like I’ve wasted that time.
The Bad
As much as people can consume your time, they are much better at sharing priorities in person. I’ve overlooked important messages because they’ve gotten lost in a sea of emails and Slack messages. You might be distanced from your team, but you’re never as detached as it may seem.
There are also times when I want to be social. As much as people complain about Zoom, it’s a pretty great solution in a remote climate. Still, it’s hard to make real relationships virtually when you can’t partake in most friendly activities.
It Saves Money
When you’re at home, you save on the commute, food costs, and office clothes. This means less money is taken from your paycheck and more money stays in your pocket. While this may not be apparent upfront, after two years remote, I can certainly say this is true.
The Good
I really shouldn’t need to spell this out too much: less money spent means more money saved. However, this is only a perceived pay bump if you were moving from an in-office job to a remote job. Moving from one remote job to the next will not have this benefit.
Some people have learned to work the system. They find a job in a big city, work remotely, move to a less expensive city, and pocket the difference. Some companies adjust compensation depending on regional cost of living, but others use pay discrepancies to attract top talent.
The Bad
It’s hard to disregard the savings you’ll make as a remote employee, but there are also extra expenses when working at home. You need to pay for the electricity, heat, internet, and many supplies. You’re in charge of the labor to build equipment, and many comforts won’t be included in your compensation.
I appreciate the savings I get when I don’t eat out at lunch or buy coffee every morning, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy these indulgences at times. Saving money can drive people into routines, and that repetition can make days seem redundant and predictable.
Would I Want to Go Back Into the Office?
I absolutely love working remotely, and I wouldn’t want to go back into an office any time soon. However, I can’t lie and say that it’s all benefits, but the good far outweighs the bad in my opinion.
I also know I’m the type of worker who takes pride in my ability to accomplish tasks and exceed expectations. I’m not working remotely to slack off, but it helps me eliminate unnecessary stressors and focus on professional skills. As a writer, I seldom need to work with others in person. The autonomy I receive from remote work allows me to balance my personal life and develop the skills I value.
However, I know other people who work in industries where proximity is non-negotiable. There are also people who stick with jobs that won’t allow them to be remote (even though they could totally go remote) because remote work isn’t a deal-breaker. At this point, many employers know prospective employees want to work remotely. They advertise this as a benefit, and candidates apply because of this perk. A lot of people don’t want to go back into the office, but that doesn’t mean they’re not productive. People still want to work, but many are like me, they don’t want unnecessary restrictions.
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