The Global Impact of Remote Work
The Global Impact of Remote Work By Erika Westberg and Chris Dyer
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the world in so many ways. One of these is the altering of work policies. Remote work has no doubt benefited some companies, but it has also changed the business dynamics of many others completely. Remote work is not a new concept because even before the pandemic, a small percentage of employees were working from home. But with the pandemic, businesses had little choice but to close temporarily, expecting that it would all be over soon.
Many of these businesses, however, continue to work from home months later. Despite the challenges, some people have found remote or hybrid work to be so beneficial that they no longer wish to return to the office. One statistic shows that 98% of people would choose to work remotely, at least part-time, for the rest of their careers. Most remote employees and companies have realised the benefits of working from home, especially with the advancements in technology. Others, on the other hand, are still struggling with the new pattern of work in different areas. The need for sudden transition was difficult for many individuals and companies who had not previously considered remote working. For example, restaurants, grocery stores, retail, and other businesses that require people to be on site. The general idea here is that remote working is not ideal in every situation.
In this article, we will look at various aspects of how remote work has changed the world to help gain a better understanding of the global impact of remote work, as well as the future of work in general.
How Remote Work is Changing Work
The new path that the global workforce has taken will almost certainly become part of the future of work practises. The dramatic changes that have occurred due to the pandemic have had a significant impact on not only the workforce but also on employers, in both positive and negative ways. This entails a comprehensive review of workforces, time management systems, pay scales, and other factors. Here is a look at some of the global impacts of remote work for both employers and employees:
For Employers
In most businesses, the employers, as well as some employees, have roles that can be performed remotely. Also, some managers may choose to either adopt a hybrid model or work entirely remotely, managing their workers from the comfort of their homes. The nature of businesses may be impacted by these new changes and adoptions in a variety of ways, some of which are discussed below:
Communication
It is common knowledge that team communication is critical in a remote working environment. This importance has grown even more since the start of the pandemic, as more businesses have begun to operate remotely. As a result of not being around colleagues during working hours, communication must be consistent and ongoing.
Team leaders and managers are expected to demonstrate leadership by communicating expectations through various channels. Not only that, but team members must also communicate and collaborate through these channels. Thanks to technology, remote work has been revolutionised, allowing for seamless communication. Tools like Zoom, Slack, or Microsoft Teams can be used to collaborate and stay connected. The support advanced technology provides to remote team management is one aspect of remote work that will continue to define the future of work.
Reduced Expenses
The fewer individuals who have to go to the workplace, the less money that businesses have to spend on office space requirements, equipment, or office supplies. Companies that have a large remote workforce can save money on standard costs, like electricity, and also additional expenses like stocking company kitchens or building or office repairs.
Also, as more businesses reduce their office needs, the demand for office space will be reduced. Commercial buildings that were once used as offices can then be converted for other uses, such as residential buildings, especially in areas where residential housing is hard to find. This could benefit residential real estate because as more people switch to working remotely, houses and apartments can replace these offices and provide the community with more housing options.
Better Hiring Opportunities
The majority of hiring organisations, with the exception of those who have previously engaged in the remote working procedure, are taking a completely different hiring approach. A report on hiring managers in the US shows that 73% of all teams will have remote workers by 2028. This implies that the geographical location of a job no longer defines the talent pool when hiring.
Being able to hire workers remotely gives access to a large pool of talent from all around the world. As a result, some businesses will benefit since they will be able to readily find the exact expertise they require. For example, if you want to hire a graphic designer or digital marketer, you don’t need to restrict your search to your geographical location – you can scout for talent all over the world.
Increased Cybersecurity Risks
However, working remotely is frequently associated with security issues, as information security and physical security in a remote location do not always match what is offered in an office. Because of the growing number of workers working from home, businesses must rethink their security policies for employees, particularly for those handling sensitive data. A survey from Business Wire revealed that only about half of remote workers received appropriate data security training, despite handling sensitive data. This is a matter of concern, as employees should be given cybersecurity training to create awareness of the proper security protocols of the company.
Additional security measures should be implemented, such as the usage of a VPN, multi-factor authentication, or a dedicated work network and work computers. A proper cybersecurity system should be put in place to prevent workers from putting company information at risk. This might lead to increased expenses because the company may need to pay for a more secure WiFi, cloud storage, firewalls, and antivirus, however, in the long run, these costs are worth the company’s investment.
Shutdown of Businesses
In addition, businesses such as restaurants, coffee shops, and local store owners in commercial areas may receive less patronage, as they usually rely on foot traffic from office buildings. A reduction in commuters and physical offices may lead to less revenue for these store owners, which can result in a ripple effect of business shutdowns. However, many businesses have turned to delivery options and curbside pickup to allow operations to continue, which can decrease the likelihood of remote work negatively affecting neighbourhoods and business owners.
For Employees
Remote work has both positive and negative impacts on the lives of remote work employees. It can improve quality of life and increase productivity, but can also lead to burnout and feelings of isolation, among others. As employees adjust to these changes, they may notice the immediate and delayed effects of remote work on both their personal and professional lives. These are some of the impacts that remote work has had on the lives of employees:
Flexibility
Remote work gives employees more control over how they manage and organise their personal and work life. As a remote worker, this means you’ll have a lot more flexibility in planning your daily activities. You can focus on your personal life, family, or even on finding extra job opportunities.
Remote work, for some, has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for employees. For example, some employee can set their own schedules and can plan their work around the times that are most convenient for them. Those who desire to further their education for better career opportunities can do so without sacrificing their working hours. Also, as remote workers don’t have to spend money commuting to work every day, they have more opportunities to repurpose that time and money for other activities, such as hobbies, private commitments, or additional working hours.
Increased Productivity
Productivity is measured by how efficiently employees complete tasks. However, productivity in the transition to remote work can be determined by personal circumstances. Many people have struggled to balance work, family, and other responsibilities. For example, working from home means dealing with distractions, or feelings of isolation.
The convenience of a remote work environment can result in more hours each day spent working since employees don’t have to spend time commuting to the office. With increased flexibility and a better balance between work and home life, employees feel more comfortable and can deliver better results to keep remote work privileges. More than 50% of people in an Indeed survey think that they are more productive when they work from home. Employees that are happier are more willing to work with their employers or team leaders to positively impact the future of their company. Even though working remotely means being under less supervision, content employees will attempt to adapt to changes in their work patterns for the growth of the company.
Effects on Well-being
The switch to working from home can be both helpful and detrimental to one’s mental health. Some employees find it difficult to create a schedule that works for them, as well as to strike a healthy work-life balance. This can lead to overworking, exhaustion, and decreased productivity. It’s critical to establish a working habit, create a designated workspace, and establish boundaries for other family members or people living around you. However, some other employees find the freedom of working from home to be incredibly stress relieving, which lends to a happier, healthier work-life relationship.
The mental health of employees can also be harmed by feelings of isolation. Humans are social animals, and working in an environment alone can feel very stifling. Employees can stay in touch by communicating on a regular basis and schedule team hangouts. Coworking spaces or coffee shops are also alternatives to a home office and can help get rid of the feeling of isolation.
Furthermore, healthy eating habits can improve mental health, especially if you fit them into your daily routine. Plus, physical activity has a significant impact on mental health. Engaging in regular cardio activities such as jumping jacks or high knees is enough to make an impact.
Better Workflow Management
The way tasks are assigned, projects are planned, and workflow is organised are all different when managing remote workers. Employers have had to revise their workflows to align with the needs of employees in remote working situations. The pandemic has even made it easier for businesses to create a new plan that is in line with the expectations of their employees.
Furthermore, employers have placed more trust in their employees. In fact, remote work statistics in 2022 shows that they felt more trusted at work while working remotely. Prior to the pandemic, business owners had to prioritise company requirements, the number of hours worked, and other performance measures over anything else. Now the reverse is the case, as a lot of employers now focus more on the final output and efficiency of their workers.
In order to gather information or prospects on how to create an outcome-based structure rather than one focused on problems, employers should have discussions with their employees on what is most convenient for both parties. This creates room for innovation in an environment where everyone is happy and working for the betterment of the company.
Environmental Benefits
Fully remote or hybrid work also has a long-term impact on the environment, in addition to the obvious benefits for an individual. Working from home eliminates the need for employees to drive to work every day.
Car pollution has a major impact on climate change, which caused the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is released when fossil fuels are used in cars, and it is the most significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2015, Xerox reported that its remote workers drove 92 million fewer miles, resulting in a reduction of about 41,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Despite the fact that commercial buildings are becoming more energy-efficient, they still consume a significant amount of energy for heating, cooling, and lighting. Although both residential and commercial buildings emit a significant quantity of carbon dioxide, it takes less energy to heat, cool, and light individual homes than it does to heat, cool, and light a large office area.
When fewer people commute to work, there are fewer cars on the road. As a result, there is less pollution in the air. Reduced air pollution is also beneficial to humans, as it can lead to health problems such as pulmonary disease, lung disease, asthma, and respiratory infections.
What Remote Work Could Look Like in the Future
With all of these current impacts of remote work in mind, we can now make a forecast about what remote work will look like in the near future. While it is impossible to accurately predict how much remote work will change in the future, we can learn from the benefits and problems of fully remote or hybrid working arrangements.
With the ways things are at the moment, remote work looks like it is to be here to stay. Here are some ways remote work could influence how the working world may look like in the future:
More Hybrid Working Across Industries
The re-invention of several processes and policies has become common since the new development. The pandemic has demonstrated that we can operate from home without sacrificing productivity. More companies have started to use the hybrid working model, which combines the benefits of remote work, such as improved flexibility, with the conventional qualities of office spaces. A report from Owl Labs shows that more than 50% of global employees work remotely once a week. This trend will continue to grow in the future as it has been very beneficial to a lot of businesses.
Creation of New Leadership Roles
As a result of the transition to remote work, many companies have implemented additional management strategies to gain visibility into what their employees are doing. Many companies have created new roles to allow remote employees greater autonomy over their tasks and schedules. These roles, many in management, allow employees the freedom to work with their colleagues to get tasks completed without feeling micromanaged by traditional management and supervisors.
Higher Standards for Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity has become even more important than it was before the pandemic. Many changes will be required in the future of remote work, including investments in more secure techniques to keep information safe. Companies will have to think more strategically about cybersecurity spending and how to effectively safeguard customer or company data, and other important information.
More Interest in Online Learning and Training
Since the pandemic, there has been an increased interest in online learning, and online learning formats are becoming more popular among remote employees. Working from home typically provides more freedom, and the more efficient an individual is, the more time and motivation they will have to learn new skills and boost their productivity. Online learning is also a significant instrument for improving an organisation’s overall learning culture in the future.
Final Thoughts
Remote working has become more common, and several aspects of daily work have become highly dependent on it. A substantial number of businesses are forced to employ these techniques while others deeply value the remote work models that they have adopted. As a result of recent developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, business owners should analyse the current impacts of remote work and develop the best practices for securing their workflow.
Given the current level of awareness and understanding about remote work, companies must be prepared to support a remote workforce in the most efficient manner possible. More and more companies are likely to move to remote work, whether for cost savings, to increase employee autonomy, or simply to reduce their environmental impact on the world. Although not every company can, or will, move to a remote work method, companies should be ready to implement remote work best practices that are beneficial to both employers and employees.
