A New Way of Working
People used to think that work must occur at an office. They followed rigid hour routines, and daily patterns. It all started to change a while ago, and many people began to work from home, have a more flexible schedule or some even just work on the weekends. This flexible work schedule became very popular. Remote working was born. In fact, many people prefer it.
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The Role of Technology
Technology made working from home easy. The internet, emails, and video calls, all were means for communication with the team while working remotely. Because of technology, people now attend meetings without travelling. It is easy and fast, and many tasks can now be done on a laptop almost anywhere. All of this made the transition to working remotely much easier.
A Push From the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic increased remote work and the opportunity to work from home faster than it would have happened. The pandemic saw mass office closures and employees immediately needed to stay home for safety, forcing companies to let workers work from home. Admittedly when the pandemic started it was only a stop-gap or temporary remote work. An unexpected benefit became easily obvious – both companies and employees then realized the benefits of remote work. Most companies and their employees decided to stay with remote working after the restrictions of the pandemic were lifted.
More Flexibility
Remote work allows workers to have much more freedom. They can work when they want and where they want. Parents can work from home and be near their children. Students can work and go to class at the same time. Workers can take short breaks at will. With flexible hours, people can manage their day better. They are not stressed or rushed getting to work because of traffic.
Saving Time and Money
Remote workers are saving a lot of their time. They are no longer travelling the long distance to their locations every morning. My coworker used to travel 45 minutes each way, but since becoming a remote worker he saved 1.5 hours a day. Workers also save money. They no longer put fuel in their car, pay bus fare, or eat out every day. People have been cooking their meals at home, and they can wear their normal clothes. All of these factors can add up to reduced costs of working each day. Employers are also saving money by employing a remote worker. They won’t have to pay for electricity, rent, or office supplies for their remote employees.
Better Work-Life Balance
The better the family/work balance people have, the more people feel happiness. The world’s workforce can see this balance better with remote work. You can still care for your family and do your work with focus and attention to detail. You can eat together with the people you love. There is more time for exercise and hobbies, and a need for rest and relaxation. These factors make the workforce and employers feel less stressed overall. Employees feel like they have more control over their life.
Increase in Productivity
Many employers thought that remote workers would be lazy workers but the opposing was true in a lot of cases. People became more productive. Employees were distracted less by office noise. They felt more comfortable at work. They could put their energy and focus towards their tasks instead. The companies saw great results from their remote teams.
Avoid Office Politics
Not everybody likes socializing while at work. Some workers dislike crowded places. Not to mention, some dislike gossip or workplace politics. With remote working, people can avoid these distractions and remain focused, leading to calmness when they are able to in an environment they are comfortable in, resulting in better mental health and less wasted energy.
Opportunities for Everyone
Remote working created opportunities for many people. It helped people living outside major cities, it helped people with disabilities, heck, it even helped young mothers and caregivers join the workforce. Because remote working, the workforce is now more inclusive. There are more available jobs and opportunities for more people to participate in the economy. This has helped to make the job market fairer for many.
Eco-friendly
Remote working is also eco-friendly: it helps to reduce distance travelled in cars which reduces air pollution, there are fewer vehicles on the road, offices use fewer utilities (electricity and water), there is less waste, plastic usage, etc. Working from home can help to reduce carbon emissions – whatever that means; it is just an additional step in extenuating the evil that is the Canadian belly fat.
Worldwide Job Market
People can now work for companies across countries, like living in Pakistan and working for a Canadian company. Companies can find talent all around the world. Workers now have access to more job opportunities. Companies have access to skilled workers worldwide giving persistent opportunity of a strong and diverse work culture.
Mental Health Benefits
Remote work provides a boost in mental health. Less long and risky travel involving commuting. When working from home they feel a sense of relief. They are allowed to create a quiet, and peaceful space while working. When people can work from anywhere people report feeling happier and more at peace. Their anxiety is lower. They report better quality sleep, and more energy.
More focus, less burnout
When people can work distractions free they tend to get more work done. They also have an opportunity to develop a routine that works for them. They can break when they need to. Also, they can also sleep guilt free. Because of these reasons people stay away from risking burnout. They stay healthy and continue to perform at the highest level possible. This creates more times happiness and healthy career.
Freedom Enhances Mental Health
Freedom is key to mental health – remote work gives people more control over their time, which leads to reduced stress and pressure. Typically, people are calmer when they do not have to drive in traffic or sit in noisy offices. This calm allows the brain to focus substantially better. A focused brain is more satisfying and less anxious. Better mental health leads to improved performance in everyday situations.
Autonomy Drives Motivation
Psychology supports that people require autonomy. People are more motivated when they can decide how, when and where they do their work. Remote work allows the worker to choose. They decide where they work and when. Autonomy allows people to enjoy their work. Consequently, productivity increases. Motivation improves when people feel autonomy and trust. Remote work encourages both feelings each day.
Connection Matters
Nonetheless, human beings are social, and need social contact. Working alone may feel too isolating for some. However, a number of remote teams are now using video calls, chat apps, and virtual meetups to maintain social contact. This social contact keeps relationships intact. People feel connected and supported, even from afar. This psychological support promotes mental health. Furthermore, regular check-ins provide reassurance, and trust-building among team members. By promoting work-life balance, remote work provides a healthy work experience that accommodates freedom and trust while maintaining connections.
