The Rise of Remote Work: How It’s Changing the Way We Work and Live
Author: Shaun Stack
Remote work has been one of the fastest-growing sectors in recent years. Many industries were forced to adapt to remote options during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Even now that the pandemic is over, many workers are choosing to stick with remote employment options.
Technological advances have made it easier for people to earn an income without needing a traditional office job. Working from home is more convenient and oftentimes more accessible than in-person jobs.
Keep reading to learn more about working from home and how remote work has changed the job market. I will detail the rise of remote employment and why it appears to be here to stay.
Pre-Pandemic Job Market
Even before the internet, there were jobs that allowed you to work remotely. People have been running businesses out of their homes for generations.
However, it was not until the 1990s that remote work as we know it was possible. Jobs such as online help centers, internet salespersons, and others all quickly grew as the internet became widely available. While these jobs were popular, most people still worked outside of their homes.
The workplace culture was even a big selling point for employers prior to the pandemic. Having employees in one location allowed them to work together and socialize. It also allowed supervisors to keep an eye on employees and make sure they remained productive.
Working outside of the home also presented some challenges, though. For instance, you needed to make sure that you have reliable transportation to and from the workplace. A lousy workplace culture could also have a significant adverse effect on your experience in your job.
How Remote Work Became So Popular
Many jobs still require employees to report to a workplace outside of their homes to perform their duties. However, tone of the biggest social trends in recent years ahs been transition to remote work. According to a recent survey, more than 40 million Americans will be working remotely in just a few years.
There are several factors that have contributed to the growth of remote work. However, the most significant event that triggered the switch from office jobs to remote work was the COVID-19 pandemic.
Workers and their employers were forced to switch to remote work during the pandemic. Many businesses and workers found that working remotely offered a ton of benefits. For instance, it was often more convenient and was better for the environment.
Technological advances have also played a big part in the growth of remote work. Video calls, synergetic work software, and other advances have made it easier to work with others across large distances. These advancements have also made it possible to complete a large number of jobs remotely.
Businesses Adapting to Remote Work
People and businesses alike had to adapt to the pandemic if they wanted to survive. For corporations, this meant finding a way to continue to generate revenue with their employees working from home.
Many businesses were able to make it work. Some states even created new regulations to allow for new job opportunities. Dozens of states legalized online gambling as a way to offset losses of tax revenue.
Other industries simply were not built to work with remote employment. The real estate industry, for instance, struggled significantly during the pandemic. According to some reports, home sales dropped nearly 30% in the first two months of the pandemic.
Luckily, many industries, including real estate, were able to recover from the pandemic. Some companies have even kept remote workforces due to the benefits they provide.
Benefits of Remote Work
Millions of people were forced to turn to remote work during the pandemic. Now that the pandemic is over, many people are choosing to continue with remote work because of the unique benefits that it provides. Some of the advantages of remote work include a flexible work schedule, improved morale, lower costs, and a reduced impact on the environment.
Flexible Work Schedule
One of the best selling points for working remotely is the possibility of creating your own schedule. Having a flexible schedule allows you to have more control over your work day.
Not having strict office hours also allows you to potentially have a shorter work day. As long as you complete all your work on time, you do not need to kill time at work before you leave. The time you save on commuting can definitely be better used for a couple of fictional pages, a word-learning session on your mobile, or even enable someone to make a living on online casino games.
This can cause some issues for employees, though. Working from home does make it more challenging to maintain a healthy work-life balance. However, this obstacle can be easily avoided by keeping a schedule and staying organized when working remotely.
Improved Employee Morale
Another significant advantage of remote work is that workers tend to have higher morale. And, as the saying goes, happy workers are productive workers.
There are several reasons for the improved morale. One of the biggest reasons is the reduced stress from traveling. Workers do not have to sit in traffic to travel to and from work because they are working from home.
You also have more control over your workplace itself. Remote workers can customize their home workspace to fit their personality.
Advances in technology allow remote workers to be as productive, if not more productive, than on-site workers. Their improved morale also makes remote employees better workers, according to recent studies.
Decreased Costs and Environmental Impact
There are financial and environmental advantages to working from home, too. For instance, employees do not need to pay for gas or even own a vehicle to get to and from work.
Also, businesses themselves do not need to own as many office spaces for their workers. Companies can have smaller central locations, too, because fewer employees will be using it. This can significantly reduce the overhead cost for many companies.
The reduced travel is also great news for the environment. Fewer cars on the road means fewer emissions and less traffic during rush hour. There is less stress on public transportation systems, too.
Are There Disadvantages to Working Remotely?
As you can see, there are many benefits to working from home. However, there are also some disadvantages of remote work that employees need to consider.
Isolation
A major issue for many remote workers is the isolation that comes with working from home. Not having co-workers to interact with regularly can significantly impact a worker’s mental health.
As I mentioned above, a positive work palace culture is a major selling point for many companies. However, this does not apply to remote workers who have limited interactions with their colleagues. On the bright side, remote workers can combat this by finding more socialization opportunities outside of work.
Security Concerns
Another issue to consider is the security concerns that come with remote work. Many industries, such as health care, deal with privileged information. Keeping private information secure can be uniquely challenging for remote workers.
Price of Equipment
Working from home can help save employees a lot of money in reduced travel costs. However, there are also additional expenses that come with remote work.
For instance, you need to make sure that you have the right equipment to perform the job. Some companies will provide computers and other tools to employees. Many remote workers have to buy their own equipment, though.
You also need to make sure that you can maintain your workspace. This includes either renting or owning the space you physically work in. Also, you typically need to pay for utilities such as electricity and internet.
What Is The Future of Remote Work?
Remote work is more popular than ever and appears to be here to stay for the foreseeable future. Working from home is likely to change a lot in the coming years, though.
Future technological advances will play a prominent role in shaping the industry. In theory, better technology should make it easier to work from home. Also, advancements could allow for more jobs to be eligible for remote workers.
Some companies have also moved toward hybrid models. This allows employees to get the best of remote and on-site work. It also allows you to maintain some control over your schedule and how you work.
There are several considerable hurdles that stand in the way of remote work. For instance, companies that have paid for large office spaces do not want them to sit empty. Also, some jobs are simply easier to do in person.
Despite these challenges, the future of remote work is bright. As technology continues to advance, working from home will only become easier and more efficient for both employees and employers.
Is Remote Work Good or Bad?
Like most things in life, there are advantages and disadvantages to working remotely. Advances in technology and global events have brought remote work to the forefront of many industries. Check out the blog above to learn about the benefits and challenges of remote work and how it has changed the daily lives of many Americans.