Since 2020 and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work has become an integral part of our professional lives. This is evident as half of French companies have adopted it, with at least one day of remote work per week. While there will always be those who resist, remote work offers numerous benefits. Whether you’re a fan of remote work or not, we’re here to help you organize your work from home.
In this article, we’ll cover every aspect of working remotely:
- The various benefits it can bring to your professional life, such as reducing transportation costs and office expenses, as well as improving quality of life and productivity.
- The challenges you and your company might face, like the lack of social interaction, communication issues, and the risks of isolation.
- Strategies to maximize your efficiency and maintain a work-life balance, by using the right tools, organizing your home workspace, and keeping strong team cohesion.
Ready to follow the guide? Let’s get started!
The benefits of remote working for employees
It’s no surprise that so many people swear by remote work, as this mode of working offers multiple advantages:
- Flexible hours: No more waking up at 6:30 AM to rush through your morning routine, scramble to catch the first metro, or spend hours in traffic only to arrive (late) at work. With remote work, you drastically reduce your commutes and travel time. You can afford to wake up later or use the time you would have spent getting ready and commuting to do something else.
- More personal time: As mentioned, remote work allows you to finally tackle things you’ve been putting off. Whether it’s yoga, preparing healthy meals, painting, relaxing, or going to the movies, remote work gives you the time to do what you want. No, you won’t be heading to a midday movie session during your work hours, but you can organize your schedule to enjoy such activities in the evening or during lunch. Remote work also gives you the chance to do things like run a load of laundry or play with your pet during the day.
- Less stress: Working from home means you can work at your own pace and in your own environment, without the constant pressure and distractions that might come from being surrounded by colleagues. This reduced pressure can help you focus better and reduce overall stress levels.
- Cost savings: Working from home means no more overpriced lunches and sandwiches. You save money by cooking at home or buying food locally. Instead of spending €12 a day on a less-than-satisfying lunch, you can prepare a nice, colorful meal for just €2—the choice is clear!
The benefits of remote working for employers
Remote work isn’t just beneficial for employees; it also offers significant advantages for employers and companies that embrace it:
- Increased employee productivity: Gone are the hours spent chatting by the coffee machine or on the phone in the middle of the open office. Remote work helps employees stay more focused on their tasks. As a result, their work is of higher quality, and their productivity increases.
- Reduced absenteeism: Healthier productivity leads to a lower mental load. With remote work, the risk of burnout is reduced because employees can organize their days as they see fit. They can also create a personalized workspace that feels safe and comfortable. This means there’s less risk of employees leaving the company for a new job.
- Improved quality of life: With less time spent commuting, employees have more time for themselves, which ties into the reduction of absenteeism. They can optimize their time for exercise, cooking, or simply resting. For companies, there’s nothing more valuable than healthy, well-rested employees.
- Cost savings: A final, significant benefit for companies is the cost savings remote work offers. Fewer employees in the office means reduced need for physical office space, leading to lower rent expenses. This allows companies to reallocate funds to other areas that might need it.
The challenges of working remotely
If you thought remote work was all advantages, think again—it’s not that simple. There are also some minor drawbacks and challenges for both employees and employers to consider.
- Time management: When working remotely, you’re not in your usual office environment, making it easier to get distracted, juggle multiple tasks at once, or even struggle to know where to start. Additionally, employers might find it difficult to gauge how effectively employees are working. To address this, try writing down the tasks you need to complete. Create to-do lists with your top three priorities for the day, set aside specific time slots for these tasks, and use tools like Trello or Notion for organization. Also, keep your phone away to stay focused. Employers, instead of using surveillance tools, can ask employees for a summary email of the projects they’ve worked on or discuss their progress when they return to the office.
- Lack of social interaction: Working outside of a traditional office environment isn’t always easy in the long term. Loneliness can creep in as conversations with colleagues become rare or nearly nonexistent. To prevent isolation from becoming a recurring issue, make an effort to check in. Whether initiated by your manager or yourself, it’s important to have verbal discussions with your colleagues and team, especially if you’re sharing tasks. Organizing meetings and physical events is also crucial to maintaining human connections.
- Data security: Working outside of your organization can be risky. With unsecured networks, there’s a chance of hacking or data breaches, which can be very serious. Ask your company to install a VPN for every employee, use antivirus software, or even hire external providers to implement security systems. This way, the risks are minimized.
How to maximize the efficiency of working remotely?
Working from home can save time, but it can also be challenging to optimize your time and stay effective for remote workers. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your remote workdays:
- Structure your days: Set regular working hours to help you get started on your tasks. You can align these with your typical office hours to make it easier. Also, allocate specific time slots for different tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Set clear objectives: As mentioned earlier, if you’re unsure where to begin, start by making a to-do list. This will help you focus on your work. By naming your tasks, you’ll have a clearer view of what needs to be done. Prioritize them as well. Note your top three priorities for the day and work accordingly. At the end of the day, you can assess your progress using the tools we discussed earlier.
- Organize time with colleagues: Even though you’re working remotely, it doesn’t mean you should cut off all contact. On the contrary, maintaining connections is important. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you encounter a problem with a task or if you just want to chat during one of your breaks.
- Take breaks: We’ve mentioned it before, but breaks are crucial, especially when working remotely. They’re even more important than in the office because they help structure your day. Take a coffee break away from your workspace, go for a refreshing 15-minute walk in nature, or just step away from your screen for a few moments.
- Establish a routine: Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you should let things slide. It’s counterproductive, trust us. Get up at regular times, engage in physical activity, prepare a good breakfast or enjoy a moment of writing, get dressed, and set up your workspace. You’ll see—even a small routine can make a big difference in getting you into the right mindset for work.
- Create a dedicated workspace: Even if you don’t have enough space for an entire room dedicated to remote work, at least set up a corner for it. There are plenty of desks available that can help you maximize the benefits of your work. Pay attention to your chair and accessories, ensuring they align with your profession. If in doubt, find valuable advice through our ultimate guide to choosing the right desk for remote work.
We can’t emphasize enough that maintaining company culture is essential, even when working remotely. To reduce the isolation that you and others working from home might experience, it’s important to offer integration to all employees. Providing quality equipment, such as a reliable computer, is necessary to avoid connectivity issues.
Remote work also means less contact with your colleagues. While this can be peaceful because you’re in your own bubble, it can also impact your experience within the company. You need to stay motivated daily to avoid feeling disconnected from the company.
To manage this, it’s crucial to plan time with both your direct and indirect teams. Set up weekly meetings to discuss upcoming tasks related to your job. Regular contact is key. For remote workers, there’s also an option: co-living. This hybrid between a shared house and a hotel is perfect for remote workers, providing them with their own space and room, equipped with everything needed to work comfortably.
The future outlook of remote work
As previously mentioned, remote work has become a common practice in the professional world. It continues to evolve, particularly with the rise of the hybrid model, which combines days of remote work with in-office presence. This flexibility allows employees to enjoy evenings with friends, visit family, or simply take time to rest.
But that’s not all—digital technologies, which are essential for maintaining employee motivation and productivity, are providing new collaboration tools like Teams, Notion, and others.
However, remote work also presents challenges that must be addressed, such as isolation and the difficulty of separating professional and personal life. This imbalance can negatively impact employees’ mental health.
Companies, therefore, have a vested interest in fostering a culture of trust, adapting their workplaces and practices to encourage team cohesion, and attracting new talent. As the years go by, it’s becoming increasingly common to see companies adopt more flexible models that cater to the needs and preferences of their employees.
Remote work has become a crucial aspect of the modern professional landscape. It allows workers to improve their quality of life and work by cutting out long commutes for a few days each week, giving them more time for themselves.
However, if remote work dominates or entirely replaces in-office days, it’s important to be mindful of both mental and physical health. Working alone when you have colleagues can be challenging. It’s essential to stay active, get outside, and socialize to avoid becoming sedentary, and also to take time to meet colleagues in person—or at least spend a few minutes connecting via video calls.
In short, to ensure that working remotely is both effective and enjoyable, it’s important not to overlook these aspects.
