What does remote work mean?
Remote work is winning. In this article, we will define remote work and explore its various aspects, including its history, benefits, and challenges.
What is remote work?
Remote work, also known as telecommuting, refers to a work arrangement where employees are not required to be physically present in a centralized office environment to perform their job duties. Instead, you work from home, a co-working space, or any other location with an internet connection. You use technology to communicate and collaborate with your colleagues, including email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and project management tools.
Not all companies offer remote work, and many engage now in a hybrid model, mostly because they paid a lot of money for their commercial office space and they don’t have the data models to measure, track, or hold people accountable for not being productive at home.
History of remote work
Remote work is not a new concept. The first remote workers were probably farmers, who worked in their fields without any supervision. However, the concept of telecommuting was introduced in the 1970s, when the oil crisis led to a gas shortage and companies encouraged their employees to work from home to conserve fuel. In the 1990s, the internet made remote work more accessible, and by the early 2000s, it had become a viable option for many professionals.
I “went remote” in 2014 and never looked back. It’s been a wonderful ride and I can’t imagine going back into an office for any reason other than free lunch.
Benefits of remote work
There are so many benefits to remote work it’s hard to imagine where an office environment wins. (But that’s just like, my opinion, man). Some of these benefits include:
Increased productivity. Remote workers are often more productive as they have fewer distractions, such as office chatter or interruptions from colleagues.
Better work-life balance. Remote workers have more control over their work schedule, which allows them to balance their work and personal life more effectively.
Reduced stress. Commuting to work can be stressful, and remote work eliminates this stress, leading to a better work experience.
Reduced overhead costs. Employers can save on office rent, utility bills, and other overhead costs by allowing their employees to work from home.
Challenges of remote work
While remote work has its benefits, don’t jump in until you fully understand what you are responsible for as a company to ethically run a remote work program effectively.
Some of these challenges include:
Isolation. Remote workers can sometimes feel isolated as they do not have the social interactions that come with working in an office.
Difficulty in communicating. Communication can be challenging in remote work, especially when there are time zone differences or technical difficulties with internet connectivity.
Security concerns. Remote workers may be at higher risk of cybersecurity breaches due to the use of personal devices and less secure internet connections.
Tech issues. You might need to provide more things for them to be able to do their job from home (like a monitor).
Whatever route you choose, understand the pros and cons you’re signing up for and make those accommodations to pursue the right career path for you.
