Remote work, also called work from home (WFH), has been around since office workers had the technology to do their tasks from anywhere with an internet connection. It’s become more common now to have in-office, hybrid (a mix of in-office and remote work), and remote options for some companies.
The perks of remote work are numerous, but the lifestyle isn’t for everyone. The main difference is that WFH easily blurs the lines between work and home life. It’s easy to check work email after you finish a late dinner or throw a load of clothes in the laundry before a meeting starts.
Remote work also comes with its unique challenges. If you haven’t tried working from home yet, consider these four challenges before you start. If you work from home, what do you think about these challenges with the lifestyle?
Lack of in-person interaction
Remote work is perfect for those who love to work without interruption. You can avoid water cooler conversations with coworkers (although you might have them with those you live with). You can work in peace and get what you need done on time. The time you save from your commute is spent on other tasks, instead of sitting in transportation.
For those who love socializing, you will miss having lunch with a co-worker. You’ll miss the conversations you have whenever you collaborate with a team. You’ll have virtual team meetings, but you must stick to the topic and finish on time before people leave for other meetings.
People who are just starting in their careers will find the lack of in-person interaction difficult. You cannot casually walk up to someone to ask for help. You cannot sit with coworkers who have similar jobs during lunch and pick up career tips. To get the support you need, you’ll either send messages to a coworker or schedule a meeting.
No division between home and work
Working from home is quite literally working from your home. It may be difficult to draw a distinct line between your home life and work life. A home office with a door can create a physical separation between your two lives, but if your desk is in your living space, such as your kitchen, that distinction is harder to make.
You may be expected to check your work emails first thing in the morning, as well as last thing in the evening. Remote companies with staff that live across the country function best when people are more flexible about when they work and when they check messages. You may need to be more adamant about your office hours and when you check messages if you want set hours away from work.
Work may also feel more intrusive because your coworkers have a window into your personal life when you have a virtual meeting. They can see one wall of your home office, and they can hear family in the background. (Although one time a coworker reached into the wall of the virtual background and produced a takeout order delivery.)
Living where you work has its perks. You don’t have to spend time packing your lunch the night before. No need to figure out what food is good to transport in your lunch bag and convenient to eat in the office.
During coffee and lunch breaks, you can be more productive: you can throw a load of dishes in the dishwasher, take out the trash, or pay a phone bill. Best of all, if you have a flexible schedule and if you’re drowsy, it’s easy to take a comfortable nap.
Lack of support OR too much micromanagement
When you don’t see your boss on a daily basis, it can be difficult to get the kind of support that you need. Your boss may not be aware that you’re struggling with something at work, or affected by something in your personal life. Unless you speak up, they can’t tell that you’re struggling. If you work in an office, your boss and coworkers see you regularly and are better able to notice if you lack your usual energy. Similarly, if you work in an office, you have a better sense of whether your coworkers are experiencing challenges. For example, if you’re both dealing with unsupportive management, you can support each other. But if you work remotely, you are like an island to yourself. You may not know if a coworker is facing a similar issue as you are.
Some companies don’t trust their remote workers to do their jobs and set up systems to monitor them. For example, using a camera to check if their worker is at their desk, or tracking mouse clicks to monitor productivity. The issue, of course, is if your job requires you to be creative, do some research, or brainstorm before you start writing. You could be productively thinking away, but your mouse isn’t moving and you’re just staring into space. It may look like you’re not working even though you are.
Constant need to learn tech skills
As a remote worker, you’ll encounter tech issues with internet availability, virtual meeting microphone or camera issues, or security access issues with your computer. Some remote companies require you to learn how to use AI programs or collaboration tools.
Without someone from the company’s IT department to save you, you’ll need to resort to your own resourcefulness to fix tech issues or learn new tech by watching videos. An IT person won’t show up to provide advice over your shoulder.
Key Takeaways
Does working from home appeal to you? Those who prefer it love the flexible work hours, the short commute, and the relaxed dress code. Those who dislike it hate the isolation, the lack of support, and the blending of home and work life. However, with today’s technology, remote work will continue to be an option in the workplace.
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Vanya Wryter Consulting Services 