Working from outside the office has become increasingly popular over the past months. Since the events of the pandemic, several businesses have grown accustomed to remote working, with some offering the option on a permanent and flexible basis. Although it is more acceptable now than it has ever been, it does come with its challenges. In this article, we shall be discussing some of the downsides of remote working.
Time management
With all the benefits that remote working brings, the likelihood of distractions increases significantly. As you are working from home, you will face distractions related to dishes, laundry, your spouse or partner, children and other house chores. It is easy to lose focus on the tasks at hand. Employees may also be more distracted by social media, as no one can look over your shoulder to monitor what you are doing.
Continued working
Remote working spares the commutes, so it may be quite difficult to distinguish work and personal life. Considering the easy access to continue reading and replying to emails, and chatting with colleagues, it becomes more likely that one resumes work beyond standard hours. Employees may also be worried that their superiors think that they are not working so they continue on till late to appear busy.
Communication challenges
Through remote working, there might be challenges pertaining to communication. When working from home employees miss out on communicating over a coffee, impromptu lunches or brainstorming sessions on desks. This makes miscommunication and employees feeling detached from their colleagues all the more likely. This can lead to frustration as decisions which can be made through a few minutes of discussion may be delayed for days. Employees might also miss out on opportunities to improve team synergy.
Technology hiccups
When working from home, there may be challenges that arise from technology. Although office technology may be quick and efficient, you can have hiccups of your own. Your internet connection for example might lag and cause you problems to keep up. Another example is power going out and hence ending up with no internet connection to work with.
Lack of visibility
Constant remote working may harm employees in the sense that they would be less visible with management and can have their efforts undermined. In such cases, valid employees may be passed over for important projects and promotions since their work would not be visible. This can lead to demotivation and dips in job satisfaction.
The past few months have brought light to several advantages and disadvantages of remote working. What do you prefer? Working from the office? Remote working? Or a balance of the two? Let us know your views in the comments section below.
