Remote working: Pros and Cons

Work as we know it currently is changing at a monumental rate. Propelled by the rapid development of technology, occupation structures around the world are changing to adapt to the shifts of societal advancements. This has given rise to the trend of remote work outside the confines of traditional office space. It has its ups and downs, revolutionising work culture as we know it.

When we think of work, the first image that comes to mind is a mundane cubicle surrounding us on four sides from nine to five, five days a week. But for the past few years, people all over the world have been working remotely from anywhere. One big factor was COVID-19 which showed us why working remotely without the need for a physical office space can be positive. 

There are several advantages to this work structure. Remote work offers people the ability to work anywhere, anytime. This basically means people can choose flexible hours to work as long as they maintain the minimum threshold. Remote work caters to individual needs which is why you see people preferring it.

Remotely working also increases the productivity of the employee significantly. There is no need to commute to work as everything you need is right in front of you. This is especially advantageous in countries like Bangladesh where traffic can be incredibly hectic. People can focus better on their work since they are not worried about distractions typical of the office environment and working remotely helps to have a better balance in how much people work.

This trend also helps companies as they can tap into the global talent pool and hire employees with the best skills regardless of their geography. This opens up many opportunities for collaboration and innovation, fostering an inclusive work culture.

Coming to the cons, there are a few but they can be significant. For example, working remotely can sometimes lead to loneliness and isolation. Humans are social creatures and we naturally crave interaction and working alone remotely can affect that. COVID-19 was a big testament to this fact. Too much isolation can be detrimental to people's mental health in a big way.

While flexibility is an upside, it can also be a double-edged sword. Sometimes the line between work and personal life can get blurred. Without clear demarcations, people can find it hard to disconnect from work and that leads to burnout. Therefore, it is important to establish a structured work schedule to avoid this.

In order to adapt to the trends and the rise of remote work, people will need a significant mindset change and commitment to continuous learning. As individuals, we must be proactive in upskilling ourselves to thrive in this digital and remote space. Companies too will have to adapt and invest in necessary infrastructure to support remote employees in the near and distant future.