The topic of remote work and its effectiveness continues to fuel debates among analysts and business representatives. Some argue that it was a good temporary solution during the pandemic, but it’s time to return to the standard working mode. Others contend that bringing everyone back to the office is not feasible, and each case should be considered individually.
The positive consequences of remote work are apparent. Numerous studies indicate that remote work can enhance employee productivity – they save time and energy on commuting, a significant argument in its favor. Employers can reevaluate traditional rules versus actual necessity. In this case, concrete arguments for and against have a sobering effect. Surveys of professionals from various business sectors show that they see both the pros and cons, underscoring the importance of determining which outweighs the other.
Vage Zakaryan, Head of Development at Gem Space superapp, shared his perspective on the matter:
“It has been quite some time since the mass transition to remote work during the pandemic, and analysts are starting to draw conclusions. They unanimously agree that the new work format has both bright sides and downsides. In the IT sector, the benefits clearly outweigh the negative consequences. Reduction in operational costs and the ability to hire talent from different countries and cities based solely on their skills, not geographic location, are some of the significant advantages. As for the downsides, one can note a more complex system for information exchange among employees compared to when they are all within the confines of one office space. However, this is easily addressed – there are plenty of convenient programs and applications for coordinating project execution. Moreover, the time saved on commuting often compensates for the inconveniences of having employees in different locations.”
Undoubtedly, remote work allows employees to flexibly manage their time and balance work and normal life. However, in the case of large companies, remote work can hinder the creation and maintenance of corporate culture and team spirit – without face-to-face interaction, exchanging ideas and conducting effective meetings can be challenging.
Court Chamberson from ImpactSphere Marketing Agency tends to see more negative consequences of remote work:
“Remote work poses certain risks to data security and requires companies to take additional measures to protect them. An increase in stress levels among employees is also one of the consequences of changing the usual work rhythm. Some people find it difficult to cope with the lack of a clear boundary between work and home. Additionally, without a well-established work schedule, employees may work overtime, leading to burnout.”
Indeed, it may be challenging for managers to monitor employee work and assess their performance when they are not in the office. However, approaching it from the perspective of economic benefit and focusing on improving efficiency can address other issues if there is a willingness to do so.