Since COVID-19, the landscape of work has undergone a significant transformation with the sudden shift to the remote work culture. A change that was adopted to break the geographical boundaries of the workplace to fight the pandemic has now become a viable option in most job sectors. More and more companies are embracing the remote work culture to boost productivity and help employees strike a balance between professional and personal life.
Remote work has refined the professional setting and opened up global opportunities for everyone across all industries, including the education sector. For instance, a student thinking, “I need to pay someone to do my assignment,” can easily connect with an expert online to receive the necessary guidance. Whether the student is based in Australia or the U.K., location no longer matters to seek assistance from top-rated educators.
That being said, remote jobs also bring a host of challenges that can hinder productivity and collaboration. Let’s dive into the challenges and opportunities of remote jobs in today’s time.
Common Upsides of Remote Work
● Creates Economic Opportunity
Remote jobs have created more opportunities for individuals with a limitation for travelling. The various types of remote work have allowed them to explore more options, become a part of a diverse and inclusive office environment and contribute to the economy.
● Save Money and Time
Imagine the hours you spend commuting to the office every month. Remote work eliminates the time and charges you spend on travelling, thus giving you the scope to use the saved resources for increasing productivity or any personal well-being activity.
● Reduction in Carbon Footprint
Working in a remote setting is also an initiative towards saving the environment. A study suggests that home-based jobs can reduce up to 58% of greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, no onsite working means reduced electricity consumption for lighting and temperature control, thus contributing towards a greener planet.
● Job Flexibility
Virtual jobs offer greater flexibility with location, job, and schedule. Employees are no longer limited to a specific region or time zone to find jobs, while employers get access to global talents without any geographical restrictions. The flexible schedule allows employees to streamline their work and personal commitments and strike a balance between both without experiencing stress and anxiety.
● Skill Development Opportunities
Skill enhancement is highly important for career advancement. By working remotely, you get ample opportunities to enrol in online courses, virtual conferences, and industry-specific webinars to stay abreast of the most sought-after skills and foster a positive mindset for growth.
● Work Ethic Development
Success in a home-based job requires seriousness towards the job, proper time management, and self-discipline. While many treat these as the cons of remote working, it can be a great opportunity for developing accountability and effective time management skills to excel in a remote work setting and achieve your full potential.
● Exposure to Diverse Cultures
With more companies adopting the work from home setting, remote teams are spanned across different time zones, regions, and also countries. As an employee, you will be exposed to diverse cultures, thinking, processes, and communication skills. Such exposure will foster creativity and empathy and develop cultural awareness.
Common Downsides of Remote Work
- Highly Competitive Job Market
LinkedIn research suggested that in the U.S., only 9.5% of job postings were for remote roles, while the applicants for those were 45.9%. Such a staggering rate of applicants has increased the competition for remote job roles, making it all the more necessary to hone new skills and stay in demand.
- Increased Negative Bias
Remote workers often become victims of negative biases. One common notion among employers is that remote employees do not toil as hard as those who work from the office. This perception greatly affects workers’ motivation as they feel undervalued and face accusations at the performance evaluation for promotions.
- Limited Career Advancement
Unfortunately, remote employees get limited access to promotions as compared to in-office employees. It’s because, often, the latter is favoured for better job positions and projects due to more visibility. Less or no recognition of effort can lead to a negative attitude toward work, diminished motivation, and career stagnation.
- Managers with Inadequate Training
A common issue with remote working is not all managers are equipped to supervise and support workers to realise their true potential. The lack of proper training leads to ineffective management practices, which reflects on the workers’ performance as they fail to foster an inclusive, productive, and supportive environment.
- Isolation, Distractions & Burnout
Home-based working can lead to monotony and a feeling of isolation. Most remote employees miss the causal interactions and bonding with their colleagues and feel “overworked” and “underappreciated.” Additionally, working from home can present unique distractions like poor internet connections, family obligations, and household chores, affecting focus and productivity.
All in all, remote jobs have both challenges and benefits. Now, it’s up to the employers and employees to collaborate and turn the downsides into upsides in order to achieve the company’s goal.