What’s so bad about working from home?

The shift can be difficult, but worth it. Source: Michelangelo Buonarroti / Pexels.  

COVID-19 brought many changes to the community, including an emphasis on cleanliness and a deep reliance on hand sanitiser.  

One of the changes which has stuck for the better part of five years is a shift to remote work. More businesses prioritise working from home, or another space outside physical organisations. While remote work is not a new concept, the preference for it has increased significantly since the pandemic.  

Alongside remote work, the term hybrid refers to combining remote work with in-person work, which offers even more flexibility for an employee, and managed differently depending on the type of company.  

“The shift was initially very difficult, but ultimately it enabled the business I was working with at the time to survive through COVID-19 disruption. It enabled us to redeploy our internal resources and reduce spend on external professional services, rather than lay-off staff,” said Tyler Culling, a Business Advisor. 

“We generally saw an increase in employee disposition and satisfaction.” 

For some people, a move away from the default working environment was a bit of a surprise, leading to new experiences and developments. This was apparent for those like Lewis, with jobs that didn’t flourish as much during an extended lockdown. 

“It was a rare opportunity in my industry. Overall, a great skill to develop that will aid both my long-term career and gives me a Plan B in the event of another huge event that reduces the need for pilots,” Lewis said.   

However, not every shift to remote work is because of the pandemic. For university students in particular, Georgia explains the struggle between balancing an academic workload alongside a job can be exhausting and demanding.  

“I noticed my motivation for studying and attending classes began to decline. After a year, I made the decision to quit and found a flexible online part-time job that allowed me to set my own hours,” Georgia said.  

“This level of flexibility was completely new to me, and it has been a game-changer.” 

Achieving an elusive work-life balance can be easier to manage when one can work from anywhere, at any time, and creating your own schedule.  

A challenge that did arise from this shift was being able to manage productivity, especially when home distractions and a lack of social interaction can get in the way.  

“Issues of productivity are, in my experience, largely due to either a lack of trust – leading to micromanagement, or a lack of motivation due to poor resource deployment or a lack of understanding of the end-goal,” Culling said. 

This can be mitigated differently depending on the organisation, but regular check-ins, provision of support and the continued reinforcement of a healthy work culture that values both its employees and results is key. Another potential issue is the clarification aspect, in which separation from normative work-life means less constant socialisation and a lack of in-person coworker relationships. 

“When I encounter an issue and need clarification or advice from my manager, there can sometimes be delays in communication, which significantly slows down my workload. Unlike in a traditional office setting, where I could walk over to someone’s desk, remote work means relying on tech,” Georgia said. 

Feeling that disconnection can be difficult to navigate, but some of the positives have aided families who work, particularly those who are primary caregivers.  

Whether conducting remote, hybrid or in-person work, it all comes with its series of unique challenges and experiences. Dependent on family, health, and education expectations, what fits best won’t be completely universal. 

The feasibility of remote or hybrid work can be dependent on having the proper communication platforms and software, and prioritisation of workflow even from at home. It becomes a team effort that needs tracking and monitoring.  

COVID-19 has shown companies, and their employees, that working in a different environment can have its benefits, with transforming routines. 

“In my opinion, the benefits far outweigh the negatives,” Georgia said.