The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 vastly changed the trajectory of many jobs worldwide. One of the most prominent ways it accomplished this was through the implementation of remote working, empowering many to work from home or any location throughout the world. It also saved companies money by widening the applicant pool, opening up job opportunities in other geographical locations to attract workers who may have the same skills but require less pay. And then there’s the operational savings through reduced need for physical office space and more so,
the environmental benefits that cut down on the amount of emissions by decreasing or eliminating the need for commutes altogether.

According to Remote Work Gets Even More Remote As Jobs Go Abroad, “…hiring workers overseas allows companies to respond to U.S. labor shortages, add talented workers, and cut back on their wage bills, easing pressure on inflation,” Mr. Bloom said.

In short, remote work offers greater opportunities to a wider audience, releasing the geographical ties companies once had. As a result of remote working, it no longer matters where a company is headquartered because anyone with the right skillset can apply and be considered for a position regardless of where they reside.

In addition, according to Business.com, working from home saves companies money in many different ways. In addition to freeing up physical office space, it reduces operational expenses that would typically be applied to rent/leases, office equipment, cleaning and security services, and so much more. These dollars can hit the bottom line or be reinvested into the business.

On top of remote work being beneficial to company executives, it also has its advantages for the workforce, as well. It cuts down on commute time and sick time, enhances productivity by reducing the amount of disruptions and unnecessary meetings, and so much more.

According to Embrace a New Office-Worker Model, “White-collar workers like the flexibility the work-from-home routine provides. They appreciate not sitting in traffic or on trains for substantial portions of their day. They’re happy not having to hire dog walkers and being available for their kids if the need arises.”

This extra freedom has translated into an overall happier workforce. It allows workers to have more work-life balance with added focused time both at work and at home with their families.

The environment is happier too. According to the Harvard Business Review’s Our Work-from-Anywhere Future, the topic of working from home has been a topic even prior to the pandemic. “The USPTO estimates that in 2015 its remote workers drove 84 million fewer miles than if they had been traveling to headquarters, reducing carbon emissions by more than 44,000 tons.”

Reduced commuting means decreased traffic congestion, which also means lower greenhouse gas emissions. The shift in the world’s approach to work has had a major impact on the global workforce and has the potential to be sustainable not only for the environment but on people’s outlook on the meaning they find in work and at home.

Working from home, telework, remote work are all the same concept of creating a workspace from home or somewhere out of the office space. The COVID-19 pandemic was the time of pivotal change where working from home was most incorporated into everyday life.

Even though it has almost been five years since, remote working has still been prevalent and is becoming a new norm as the years go by. However, it limits the ability to socialize with others, completely be involved in team projects or ideas, and many other limitations that are posed when not working in an office environment. 

As the article, Does working from home work? states, “For instance, Yang et al. find that firm-wide remote work inevitably lowers communication quality, as less communication leads to a worsening of information sharing.” 

Clearly there has been a pattern of miscommunication or no communication at all between coworkers, especially those employees who started new to the company and integrated themselves completely remotely, not being able to meet anyone beforehand. 

According to Psychological Responses to Home-Working Practices remote jobs also have a great impact on the individual’s health. An investigation posed during the UK COVID-19 lockdown of 2020, showed how those who worked in smaller workspaces had less opportunities for movement which resulted in “increased sedentary behavior and decreased daily movement”. 

This can impact the physical wellbeing of the person and lead them to many different complications due to little to no movement over a long period of time. 

Mental wellbeing is also a negative impact related to working from home. As we are constantly in the same setting and commuting to work is not present anymore, the mental separation of home and work is non-existent; that time that we drive to work or take the subway is the mental disconnection needed. 

In accordance with Teleworking: does it make workers healthier and productive?, they surveyed a mass of participants and reportedly saw how remote working affects the daily lifestyle and emotions.

It was recorded a worsening of sleep problems, stress, anxiety, and concentration. In a greater amount it was observed that a larger mass of people reported worsening of loneliness, sadness, weight gain and drinking. 

Many might argue that working in an office space doesn’t give the flexibility and comfort of your own home, time management or being able to travel while still working. On the other hand, it has been proven that working from home has much more negative effects than positive. Many might see that traveling and not having to ask for a day off is a big convenience, but in reality it is prone to higher stress levels and not fully enjoying the “time off” that comes with vacations and traveling outside of work.