Remote Work: What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages?

Remote work is becoming more and more popular as a working model – both among employees and companies. Working Remotely has been increasing in companies, especially since the Corona Pandemic.

Remote Work: Definition

Remote work, home office, telework, flexible or location-independent work – there are as many different terms for the working model of remote work as there are as many variants. 

Remote work is part of New Work and describes the work that an employee does not do in the office but does online from anywhere. This can be at home, on the train, in a co-working space, or, if desired, on the beach in Thailand.

As a “digital nomad,” the location no longer matters, provided the internet connection is good and the tasks are completed. The employee works “fully remotely,” i.e., the nomad is in contact with colleagues, superiors, and the developer or freelancer of the respective project via email, telephone, or other platforms such as Slack.

A successful collaboration, tasks, and projects can only be completed in the coffee shop as reliably as on-site in the office space.

Every company must find its own definition and rules that make mobile working possible for employees – whether completely location-independent or only partially- whether this working time model applies to some positions or all areas.

The Benefits Of Remote Work

Remote work has several advantages – both for entrepreneurs and employers. 

For Companies

Cost Savings Through Decentralization

If only half of all employees need permanent work in the company, you, as an employer, save all costs associated with the office infrastructure (rent, electricity, IT, etc.)

The Attractiveness Of The Company And Reduction Of The Location Disadvantage

Location-independent work also makes small and medium-sized companies outside of metropolitan areas more attractive for good specialists. Jobs marked as remote on job boards attract more attention. 

While a change of location was previously unavoidable when changing employers, employees can now easily live in Cologne and work in Munich if they wish.

This not only increases a company’s attractiveness but also strengthens employee loyalty. The fluctuation rate can thus be minimized.

For Workers

Concentration And Productivity

At home, employees are in control of their work environment. While things can get hectic in the office, such sources of interference can be switched off at home. Co-workers, ringing phones, printer noise – there is usually background noise in the office that can be avoided at home. 

Work-Life Balance And Compatibility

Balancing work and private life can be challenging for many employees. It is not for nothing that the term “work-life balance” is becoming more and more important these days.

Even if the physical separation of work and private life promotes concentration, remote work makes it easier to manage work, family, and hobbies.

Shorter Commutes

The longer the commute, the more dissatisfied the employee. Delayed trains, bad weather, traffic jams, and commuting from one place to another are significant stressors. When working from home, there is no additional stress for employees.

More Freedom And Flexibility

Employees can adapt working time models to their everyday life, which significantly increases flexibility – picking up children from school, going to sports, and doctor’s appointments or the like can be made much more quickly.

In addition, there is the freedom to choose where you live, and you can work from anywhere in the world with a good internet connection. A change of location for a new job is no longer necessary. 

Increase In Health

Eliminating the road also creates more time for sports, healthy eating, and walks in the fresh air. A remote job can be an excellent benefit for the physical and mental health of the employee and promote human development as long as the separation between work and free time is respected.

According to the duty of care, the employee’s well-being should also come first in the home office.

The Disadvantages Of Remote Work

Despite numerous advantages, remote work is only suitable for some employees. The concept also presents companies and employees with several challenges, such as:

For Companies

Privacy

Data protection is a sensitive topic when it comes to remote work. It cannot be 100 percent ruled out that unauthorized persons gain access to the data and platforms. Consequently, employers should be careful to prioritize this issue with particular importance.

For Workers

Workload

Although remote work reduces working hours, the opposite is often the case. The home office has no clear boundary between working hours and free time. Even after work, one or the other email is answered, or telephone calls are made.

Salary Negotiations, Networking, And Careers

The less time employees spend with colleagues and supervisors, the more difficult it becomes to negotiate salaries and convince managers. Managers face the challenge of assessing employees.

Not an easy task when they only keep in touch via email, telephone, and video conferences and may not even know each other personally. This affects the entire team. The flow of information and communication may also suffer as a result.  

Discipline And Time Management

Self-discipline and personal responsibility are prerequisites for employees to work productively from home. If you work remotely, you should make a weekly plan, limit distractions as much as possible, and remove them entirely from your field of vision.

Also Read: What Is WFH, And How Does It Work In Everyday Life?