Working Remotely

I have been working from home for over a year and a half now, as have many of us. In the past I have been a telecommuter on and off, usually at the discretion of the current organization or department leadership. Telecommuting has always been my preference and something I have known to be a far more effective means for the type of work I do… More productive, fewer distractions, more creative environment, fewer restrictions to resources, etc.

Some things I have come to observe regarding remote work:

1. Many positions and job roles that even I did not think could be done remotely, can be. In many situations, even done better from a remote location. 

2. Organizations are realizing that remote work is not only feasible for many of their staff, but extremely advantageous too. It does get to me when I hear leaders preaching how well telecommuting has been working and all its advantages while so many of their workers have been telling them this for years.

3. Collaboration works well, if not better, in a remote environment. Granted, many new tools like Zoom and Teams has made collaboration much easier than in the past. It is certainly much more convenient and accessible.

4. As I saw someone say on LinkedIn, but worth repeating here. People should not say, “When we return to work.” What do they think we’ve been doing for the last 18 months? Working from home is still work. This is a stigma that at many organizations just will not go away.

5. Organizations have been saving a bundle on costs, which has probably gotten their attention just as much, if not more, as the rise in productivity and work-life balance.

6. Many candidates are expecting a remote work option, not just wishing for it. And why not, both the organization and the candidate will benefit from it.

Please note, many of these observations are from seeing what is happening at many organizations outside my own and in articles and social media posts I read from people throughout the world. So, these statements do not necessarily reflect my organization, but those or many organizations.