Here are things people get wrong about remote working, clarified
Before the pandemic struck, remote work was not something that everyone was into. It was, in a way, something people didn’t really like because it deviated from the traditional office setup since, of course, it was usually done at home or anywhere else the person prefers to work.
But in the new normal, remote work has become the norm, and has been one of the keys to the survival of businesses.
The reason why people were hesitant to be okay with remote work is because of all the stigma surrounding it, which we can liken to the stigma around homeschooling. It’s the same idea but, in this article, we’ll be focusing solely on the myths around remote work.
It’s something we’ve all come to terms with, but it’s fun to look back on the misconceptions around it that seemed to have faded into memory.
Myth #1: Remote work is easier
People used to think that working remotely was a lot easier than going to an office. Do you think they could say the same now?
Just because you can work anywhere you want doesn’t mean you have less work. But it isn’t hard to understand how some people would think or feel that way since they tend to equate productivity with a specific area or space like an office.
The fact is that remote work can be harder, especially for those who do not really have space for a home office, and who have to work and live in the same space. The line gets blurry, and people tend to work more or longer hours.
Myth #2: Remote work is for lazy people
Much like having people think remote working is easier, they also tend to think this is something only lazy people prefer.
On the contrary, most people who choose remote working are those who probably have more than one job to juggle with a business and/or family on the side. This makes remote working much more practical since they can be in any space and still get work done.
Lazy people? No. Practical? Definitely. Remote work takes away time wasted in commute or in traffic, especially when the weather causes challenges.
Myth #3: Remote work makes communication difficult
This is the thought of more traditional people who prefer face-to-face banter or discussions in the office. But at a time like now when there is no confirmed vaccine against a pandemic, it’s better to stay safe at home rather than to risk getting sick and dying trying to work in the office.
Of course, those who are more adept at understanding and working with technology know that communication is almost never going to be difficult anymore due to the fact that we have our phones, our laptops, and data on almost all the time.
It’s actually easier to get into contact with someone the second you need to speak to them. This applies even to teams with members in different countries, like the team members you will meet here on BizScale.
Myth #4: Remote work kills company culture
While it’s true that you don’t really get to build the same familial vibe that’s as strong as if you all went to work and saw each other every day, that doesn’t mean it kills company culture.
Let’s be honest, seeing each other every day doesn’t exactly always build a good and healthy company culture, does it? Remote working just makes this more of a challenge than it usually is, but it doesn’t exactly take it off the table completely.
In fact, since remote teams can be composed of experts and professionals from different parts of the world, this gives way to a dynamic borne out of respect not only for the person’s experience but also for the person’s timezone.
For most people, remote working has always been the best option and they’ve been frowned upon for choosing this “lazy” route. But remote workers are some of the most hardworking and dedicated employees, and it’s good to be able to shed some light on the myths surrounding their choice of work.
There are remote workers who have disabilities, and they can focus more on their work and be more efficient when working from home.
