Unveiling the potential pitfalls of the 'Great Remote Work Experiment', we delve into the complexities and challenges that may have skewed our understanding of its true efficacy. Let's explore the nuances that could redefine our perception of remote work.
Is our assessment of work-from-home flawed since we didn’t have a choice?
The experiment began almost overnight, with minimal preparation or support
- Everyone was in the same boat, working remotely without choice
- That means that although we did work from home, our experiences were shaped within a very specific, unique and communal set of circumstances
- When the world re-opens, these circumstances will change – meaning that remote work may feel rather different
Pandemic-era remote work experiment was more successful than anyone could have guessed
Nicholas Bloom, professor of economics at Stanford University in California, points to “three golden rules” that were believed to be crucial for successful remote work
- Having a working space that wasn’t the same room as where you slept
- High-speed broadband
- 6 or more months of experience on the job so that you knew what you were doing
- The pandemic proved all three were not required
- Moving forward, we can use what we’ve learned to improve our set-ups
- Communication and flexibility will be key
The last 18 months have been tough for many of us
Some have faced health-related anxiety, loneliness, and boredom, while others have been juggling children and homeschooling with professional responsibilities.
During the pandemic, working from home can still have pitfalls, from poor workstations to a lack of space
Because knowledge workers went remote by necessity, regardless of company or industry, everyone was facing the same challenges, and people pulled together to find solutions
- Now, as some firms begin hybrid working, employees may soon realize that it’s going to be harder to pull off remote work when some people are at home while others are in the office
