Following the pandemic, many believe working from home offers comfort and control over time and space. However, experts at Boston-based health company meQ have indicated that job uncertainty, blurred lines between work and personal time, and feelings of isolation transform these perceived benefits into new sources of pressure.
Experts highlight several typical drawbacks of remote work.
Reduced coworker interaction
Research published in Nature Human Behavior on global Microsoft employees revealed that after transitioning to remote work during Covid-19, many experienced loneliness and isolation due to the lack of natural social interactions like hallway chats or break room conversations.
Although employees maintain regular contact through online meetings, emails, and messages, these interactions are often work-related. In contrast, working in person fosters more casual conversations and deeper understanding of colleagues' lives and personal relationships, something difficult to achieve through a screen.
Concerns about career advancement
A survey by remote work solutions provider Robin Powered suggests remote workers often lack clarity regarding career advancement opportunities. Some employers tend to favor employees who are regularly present in the office.
Fully remote companies have policies to address this challenge. However, in hybrid environments with both remote and on-site employees, the issue becomes more complex.
Dan Manian, CEO of the virtual meeting platform Donut, believes promotion decisions often favor those present in the office due to their easier access to building relationships with superiors.
The survey also found that 56% of remote workers don't leave their homes for weeks, leading to feelings of being overlooked and concerns about this negatively impacting career prospects.
"No one wants their workplace to be a disadvantage, so this is a factor companies need to carefully consider," he said.
Technological difficulties
In an office setting, employees typically receive support from the IT department for technical issues, with backup solutions readily available.
However, when working from home, especially on personal devices, employees have less access to this support and must troubleshoot problems themselves, which can be frustrating for those less tech-savvy.
Melanie Pinola, a technology writer for Zapier (USA), explains that issues like internet outages or computer malfunctions become significant obstacles when employees simply want to complete their daily tasks.
Furthermore, remote work increases reliance on technology. Instead of visiting a manager's office for a quick chat, employees must resort to messages or emails. This increased dependence on technology exacerbates the impact of technical difficulties.
Higher healthcare costs
MeQ suggests remote workers may face higher medical expenses. This is attributed to their consistently high stress levels, with 25% experiencing moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder, double the 11% rate in the less stressed group. This disorder increases healthcare costs by at least two times.
An analysis by a US employee wellbeing research organization shows that 40% of remote workers and 38% of hybrid workers face anxiety and depression, compared to only 27% of on-site employees.
Ngoc Ngan (Theo Yourtango)
