Remote work is becoming increasingly common. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced employers and employees to work remotely. Mobile platforms, videoconferencing, and Cloud services have made remote work feasible and acceptable to both employees and employers. But with the potential to work from home as an option, it is crucial to know what types of disadvantages there can be to working remotely.
Cons of Remote Work
While a lot of individuals enjoy remote work, it’s essential to acknowledge it is not always a walk in the park. Here are some of the struggles of remote working.
Need For High Self-Discipline
Technology and improved work-life balance have made it easier than ever to work from home. But they’ve also made it more difficult to stay focused on the work at hand. As a result, while working remotely, self-discipline is more important than ever, especially if you want to rise through the ranks and do your best work.
Lack of Workplace Social Life
Humans are social animals. Socializing with co-workers and clients is one of the perks of a job. But what about when you’re a remote worker and the only time you see your co-workers is when you’re all attending a conference together? Many people who work from home find themselves isolated, and then they find themselves not working as hard. People don’t feel they have to work as hard when they aren’t around co-workers. The biggest problem is that these people don’t realize how much effort they’re putting into their job. They’re not motivated to be the best because they’re isolated.
Overlooked For Promotions
If you work an office job where you regularly interact with your coworkers, it’s easy to pick up on subtle clues about who’s doing a good job and who’s not. When those clues are absent, it’s easier for an employee to fall through the cracks, especially if they’re a long-distance employee. If you don’t work directly with the people you report to, it becomes easy to feel like you’re “the other one”. You may feel like you’re overlooked for promotions or career development opportunities when working remotely. With some patience and effort, you can learn to feel more like a valued member of the team, both at home and at work.
Total Dependency On Technology
As remote workers, individuals have to rely on laptops, email, smartphones, etc. to stay in contact with office members and clients. You run into many different problems, such as being unable to contact clients or even your boss at times.
Blurred Lines
Working remotely for a company is a lot different than going to work at an office every day. Working from home has many perks, but also a few challenges. Employees who are constantly checking work email or finding little ways to do a little bit of work during their off-hours are actually hindering their productivity and potentially risking their job.
Final Words
There is no ambiguity that remote work is on the rise. But by educating yourself about the pitfalls of remote working, you can make a decision that works for you.
To know more about the disadvantages of remote work, attend the Compliance Prime webinar.
