We have followed the evolution of modern remote employment from its rapid inception in 2020 until today – when most companies have returned to the office (if that is still a part of their business plans.) This situation has become an issue – when many organizations attempted to return to normal, their employees experienced a priority shift, and many did not wish to return. Remote workers have expressed a wide variety of reasons for their change of lifestyle, but the fact remains. The remote workforce is here to stay, even as they work through some of the nuances of the situation.
While many have completely acclimated to working from home, others struggle with being separated from colleagues and managers on a daily basis.
- Scheduling Issues: The idea of working from home seems awesome to those who have always reported to a shift at an office. Without a commute, mornings are more low-key, and they can spend more time with children, pets, and spouses. While these all represent significant benefits, it is also essential for employees to understand that establishing a daily schedule is vital to their success. Most importantly, remote employees should be at work when those in the office are also working. But many employees quickly discover how procrastination can develop into bad habits – working late every night and catching up over the weekend, cutting into personal time, and often falling behind. Working from home definitely offers flexibility, but scheduling cannot be ignored.
- No Boundaries: Traditionally, coming home in the evening signaled the beginning of personal and family time. The home provided an oasis from the stress of full-time employment – it did not double as an office as well. When important boundaries disappear, slipping too far into one role or the other (employee or family member) is common. Some become too relaxed and complacent about work, while others find that “bringing work home” was inevitable when home life is only a few feet away. The two roles must be separated in some way, which involves establishing a distinct, closed-door office for most people. Those who are successful at mentally and emotionally leaving the job “at the office” when they shut their door are typically happier working at home.
- Abundant Distractions: Children, pets, and partners present obvious distractions for the remote workforce. However, working from home can be just as distracting for those employees who live at home. The draw of a quick workout, running a few errands, or getting the dirty dishes cleaned up can be powerful. Watching a movie over lunch can turn into a longer-than-sanctioned break, and starting dinner at 4 p.m. sounds like a great idea. Again, flexibility is a key benefit of working from home. But establishing a strict schedule that reflects your employer’s expectations is necessary to maintain discipline in a remote space.
- Daily Direction: Most employees don’t understand just how much they interact with their colleagues in the course of doing their job on a daily basis. Employment is comprised of collaboration, and remote employees can feel out-of-sorts without the informal cooperation they are accustomed to. Managers can ease the discomfort by setting up weekly videoconference meetings and installing an IM application for quick and on-the-spot communication with coworkers.One of the unexpected repercussions of the rise of the remote workforce is the phenomenon known as “quiet quitting“, as experts feel that dissatisfaction with jobs and careers can stem from a lack of perceived communication.
Alliance IT provides managed IT services for companies around the Sarasota and Bradenton area. We are here to help with any technology solutions you may require for your evolving business model, including outsourcing and hosting of your networks.
