The remote working industry, also known as telecommuting, has experienced explosive growth in recent years. Due to advances in technology, it's now possible for people to work from anywhere in the world as long as they have an internet connection, providing workers something that they never had before: flexibility.
The draw of the remote working industry
Why many people are being drawn to the remote working industry is also the biggest advantage of working remotely - it allows employees to work from the comfort of their own homes, cutting out long commutes and having to work in an office environment which - let’s face it - is often uncomfortable and distracting, especially when you compare it to a home office.
Additional savings on top of comfort
Aside from saving on commuting for employees, remote work can also reduce overhead for employers such as office space, electricity, equipment, insurance, etcetera. It is common to see startups employing remote workers for exactly this reason.
Disadvantages of working remotely
Of course, that’s not to say that there aren’t disadvantages to remote working. As with anything in life, there’s always two sides to a coin and while the flip side may look extra enticing, there’s always the darker side of things that may mean that remote work is not for everyone.
Remote workers suffer from isolation and disconnect
One of the biggest is the potential for isolation and loneliness. When people work from home, they may not have the same level of interaction with their colleagues that they would in an office environment. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can negatively impact mental health and job satisfaction.
Staying productive and self-motivated may be a struggle for some
Another potential disadvantage of remote working, which is what spurned the development of remote employee management systems, is the difficulty of staying motivated and productive. When people work from home, they may be tempted to take more breaks or engage in personal activities such as petting their dog, doing their chores, or even playing games, which can lead to a decrease in productivity. On the other hand, there are also hard workers that don’t seem to know how to take a break and find it difficult to create a separation between their work and personal lives, which will ultimately lead to burnout.
Remote work is continuously evolving and growing
Despite these potential disadvantages, the remote working industry is continuing to grow at an incredible rate. In fact, some experts predict that as many as half of all workers could be working remotely by 2025. This is due in part to the fact that more and more companies are recognizing the benefits of remote working, both for themselves and for their employees.
The Covid-19 pandemic drove the growth of the remote workforce
Another factor driving the growth of the remote working industry is the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic hit in 2020, many companies were forced to shift to remote working in order to comply with social distancing guidelines. While this was initially a difficult transition for many companies, it ultimately proved to be successful for most, and many are now considering making remote working a permanent part of their business model.
What to expect in the future
Looking to the future, there are a number of trends that are likely to shape the remote working industry. One of these is the rise of co-working spaces, which provide a shared workspace for remote workers. These spaces can provide the benefits of working in an office environment without the drawbacks, and they are likely to become more common as the remote working industry continues to grow.
The rise of virtual reality and other advanced technologies may also play a part in creating a more sophisticated model for remote work by offering immersive and engaging work environments from home.