Remote Working Provokes a Love-Hate Relationship

For the last six months, the majority of professionals that weren’t furloughed have been remote working. For some people, this has highlighted how not having to commute and be surrounded by chaos in an office, really can lead to a more pleasant and productive workday.

Contrastingly, for others, it has been a constant battle. Struggling with childcare, a comfortable place to work in and issues with technology will have tried much patience.

Remote Working Does Have Some Benefits

Overall, remote working does have some benefits. A recent study found that a massive 99% would like to continue remote working at least some of the time. This study also showed that 40% of employees would like to remain remote working completely, 40% said it was good to have uninterrupted time away from their peers and 75% believed that without the commute they were more productive. If these statistics show the benefits, then why is there still such a love-hate relationship with remote working?

In short, the coronavirus has changed working life radically. Remote working was previously a nice option for those who wanted to take it, whereas now it’s a requirement.

The Problems

The balance between productivity and being connected with others in the workplace is no longer there. The study also found that 71% of people now felt disconnected from their peers and the company’s culture. Those who live alone experienced this disconnect even more and it could easily lead to loneliness and isolation.

How can you help your employees?

The best thing to do, where possible is to give your employees the option to work from the office or home as they see fit. Whilst working from home might appear to offer flexibility, it’s not the case for everyone. Make sure to reach out to working parents and other employees that might be struggling to juggle their responsibilities during working hours to find a solution that suits them. The key thing to remember is, one size doesn’t necessarily fit all.