Kickstart Your Remote Career Today!
In the current digital age, remote work has emerged as a compelling alternative to traditional office environments. While the concept isn’t new, its popularity has surged in recent years, particularly in the wake of global events that forced many businesses to adapt to a decentralized workforce. Remote work brings with it a host of potential advantages and challenges, some widespread and well-documented, others less frequently discussed.
In this article, we’ll delve into 17 key benefits and obstacles of remote work, including both the commonly cited factors and those that are not as often brought to light.
Common Benefits of Remote Work
1. Accessibility to Economic Opportunity
One of the primary advantages of remote work is that it amplifies accessibility to economic opportunities. This is particularly transformational for groups that have historically been excluded from the digital economy, such as caregivers, individuals with disabilities, rural community dwellers, and those with transportation constraints or immobility issues.
The various types of remote work allows these individuals to access a wider range of job opportunities without the prerequisite of physical presence, thus breaking down geographical and logistical barriers that previously hindered their participation in the workforce.
This democratization of access to jobs can potentially lead to a more diverse and inclusive work environment, bolstering not just individual livelihoods, but also the broader economy through increased workforce participation and productivity.
2. Saved Time and Money From Commuting
Speaking of money – a significantly appealing benefit of remote work is the time savings garnered from eliminating daily commutes.
According to a study by Clever, the average worker in the United States spends nearly an hour commuting each day. Remote work eliminates this time spent on travel, offering substantial time savings that employees can redirect to productive pursuits or personal well-being activities.
The commuting cost savings are also substantial. The same study indicates that the average commuter spends upwards of $1,200 per year directly on commuting expenses; factoring in potential money lost from time spent on the way to work and in traffic, the average annual cost of commuting is $8,466.
Furthermore, the stress and fatigue associated with commuting are also eliminated, resulting in improved mental health and overall quality of life.
3. Environmental Impact
On top of saving money, remote work can (potentially) help to save the environment.
A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA found that swapping from working onsite to working from home can reduce up to 58% of work’s carbon footprint. This is mainly due to the elimination of commute trips and its associated greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition, remote work also reduces energy consumption within offices, as fewer employees working onsite means less electricity used for lighting and temperature control. Also noted in the above study is that remote workers can sometimes create a greater carbon footprint due to needing extra space for an office, among other things.
Regardless, current research continues to suggest that by embracing remote work practices, companies can contribute towards a greener planet.
4. Greater Autonomy and Job Satisfaction
Other research draws quite a strong conclusion: working remotely increases autonomy and job satisfaction.
In a study of knowledge workers, researchers found that remote work fosters a sense of self-efficacy, leading to higher levels of job satisfaction and family satisfaction through the pathway of work-family enrichment, meaning that a person’s work and family responsibilities can positively influence each other.
This finding is particularly noteworthy given the current global trend towards hybrid or fully remote work, as companies navigate ways to boost employee morale and productivity in an increasingly decentralized work environment.
5. Location, Schedule, and Job Flexibility
Remote work also offers greater location, schedule, and job flexibility. Employees are no longer limited to specific regions or time zones when searching for job opportunities, opening up a world of possibilities and the potential of finding the perfect fit for their lifestyle.
With flexible schedules, employees can customize their workday to suit their individual productivity patterns, personal commitments, or caregiving duties without compromising work quality or efficiency.
Our guide on workplace flexibility digs a bit deeper into the various ways working remotely allows you to be more flexible.
6. Enhanced Opportunities for Continuous Learning and Skill Development
Remote work inherently necessitates familiarity with a suite of digital tools and online platforms, inadvertently leading to skill enhancement in digital fluency, a highly sought-after competency in the modern workforce. Beyond this, the remote work landscape offers abundant opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
Online courses, webinars, virtual conferences, and industry-specific forums are all readily accessible, equipping remote workers with the resources to stay abreast of evolving industry trends, enhance their existing remote skill sets, and even venture into new areas of expertise. Notably, the convenience of online learning allows for self-paced study, enabling employees to effectively balance their professional development with work responsibilities.
Furthermore, remote work often cultivates a culture of self-directed learning, encouraging individuals to proactively seek knowledge, develop problem-solving skills, and perform deep work, thereby fostering a growth mindset and continuous improvement within the team.
Uncommon Benefits of Remote Work
Above, we’ve discussed what we consider to be frequently discussed benefits of remote work. How about some pros that are not talked about often?
7. Exposure to Diverse Perspectives and Cultures
With remote teams often spanning across different regions, time zones, and even countries, individuals are exposed to new ways of thinking, working, and communicating. This diversity can foster creativity, innovation, and empathy within the team while providing a broader global perspective on various issues.
Additionally, remote work often allows for greater cultural sensitivity and awareness. As individuals communicate and collaborate with colleagues from different cultures, they become more attuned to cultural nuances, customs, and communication styles, leading to a more inclusive and cohesive team dynamic.
Holistically, this strengthens team culture, but also allows individuals to develop interpersonal skills and their overall understanding of the world to the nth degree.
8. Work Ethic Development
While remote work often offers greater autonomy and flexibility, it also requires a significant amount of self-discipline and time management. To some, this may appear to be a con of remote work – in reality, it is an opportunity.
Outside of the workplace, a greater work ethic can have innumerable benefits, from better personal finance management, to healthier relationships and a more fulfilling overall lifestyle. In the workplace, without the physical presence of colleagues or strict office hours, individuals must learn to manage their time effectively and maintain a high level of productivity without constant supervision.
This can lead to the development of a strong work ethic and improved remote time-management skills, translating into better overall performance and job satisfaction. In our Remote Work Certification, we have an entire module dedicated to building and harnessing this skill – self-management – to its fullest potential.
Kickstart Your Remote Career Today!
Common Challenges of Remote Work
9. Competitive Job Market
The competitive nature of the remote job market cannot be overstated. With the rise of remote work, companies have access to a global pool of talent, making the job market more competitive than ever before. Individuals looking for remote work may need to possess specialized skills or stand out in other ways to secure their desired position.
Research from LinkedIn in December 2023 showed that, in the United States, only 9.5% of job postings were for remote options, but a staggering 45.9% of job applications were for these remote positions, signaling the market is clearly employee-driven in terms of remote work preference.
10. Dealing with Negative Biases and Proximity Bias in Remote Work
Remote workers often face an assortment of negative biases. Among the most prevalent is the notion that remote employees are not as productive or committed as their in-office counterparts. This perception, largely unfounded, can inhibit the recognition of remote workers’ contributions and may lead to inequities in performance evaluations and promotions.
Research from Robert Half shows that 87% of remote workers who work more hours remotely than when they were in-office have greater or equal job satisfaction. The assumption that remote workers are not as productive, when taking this into mind, does not stack up.
Regardless, proximity bias is another significant challenge that most remote teams need to deal with. This bias exists in the workplace when, for example, supervisors favor employees who are physically present over those working remotely, based on the assumption that visibility equates to productivity. This bias can lead to remote workers feeling undervalued and overlooked for advancement opportunities.
To avoid proximity bias in your team, our guide on proximity bias in distributed teams may be able to help.
11. Limited Promotion Opportunities
Another prevalent challenge in remote work is limited access to in-office promotions.
Often, in-office employees are favored for leadership roles or career advancement opportunities due to more visibility and perceived dedication within the organization. This can lead to a feeling of stagnation, diminished motivation, and lack of remote career development among remote workers, as they might feel their opportunities for growth are curtailed.
Organizations can take strategic steps to level the playing field, like promoting based on merit, developing a more robust line of communication, and even creating remote leadership roles.
Or, if you’d like to take your future into your own hands, our remote career development course, Growplaceless®, was created specifically to help individuals working in remote teams to grow and evolve over time, directly tackling key points like:
- Common obstacles to remote or hybrid career growth
- Combatting proximity bias
- Building social capital while working remotely
- Designing a flexible career
Growplaceless is not just a course ABOUT career development.
12. Lack of Training for Managers in Managing Remote Workers
Over the years we’ve worked with various companies, a common issue we’ve recognized arises from the fact that many managers do not receive adequate training on how to supervise and support remote workers.
This lack of training can lead to ineffective management practices that compromise team cohesion, productivity, and employee satisfaction. Recognizing this gap, we developed Leadplaceless®, a remote training program specifically designed to equip managers with the skills necessary to lead distributed teams effectively.
The course focuses on key areas like:
- Meetings
- Tools
- Boundaries
- Autonomy
- Performance
- Connections
- Decision-making
By investing in Leadplaceless, companies can ensure their management practices align with the unique dynamics of remote work, thereby fostering a work environment that is productive, inclusive, and supportive.
Remote-First Leadership Training
13. Visibility and Recognition
Another common challenge in remote work is the lack of visibility and recognition for contributions. It can be hard to showcase one’s work and accomplishments when not physically present. This can lead to a lack of acknowledgment, which may impact employee motivation and job satisfaction.
To address this challenge, companies can implement tools like project management software to make it easy for remote workers to showcase their contributions, or tools like Hey Taco to publicly celebrate team members’ achievements.
14. Isolation and Distractions at Home
Remote work can lead to feelings of isolation, both socially and professionally. Social capital is traditionally built in person, and remote workers may miss out on the opportunity for casual interactions and connections with colleagues.
Additionally, working from home can present distractions that disrupt concentration, such as household chores or family responsibilities. To combat these challenges, companies can take steps to create a sense of community and minimize distractions for remote workers:
- Virtual Water Cooler Conversations: Encourage virtual interactions through messaging apps or video conferencing to create a sense of community and foster casual conversations.
- Dedicated Workspace: Encourage remote workers to designate a specific area in their home for work, free from distractions and interruptions.
- Flexible Schedules: Allowing for flexible work schedules can provide remote workers with the opportunity to balance their personal responsibilities while still completing their work effectively.
A more streamlined way to streamline your growth as a remote worker is to get directly certified.
Workplaceless® Remote Work Certification
Our remote work certification was the first of its kind, developed in 2017 to help remote workers adopt proven best practices for sustainable remote work success.
The certification covers topics such as:
- Time Management
- Communication
- Virtual Collaboration
- Remote Work Culture
- Cybersecurity and Data Protection
With this certification, professionals can demonstrate their commitment to excellence in remote work and stand out in the job market. You can learn more about our industry-standard certification here, or fill out our interest form to learn more today!
Uncommon Challenges of Remote Work
Now that we’ve discussed many commonly cited issues with working remotely, what are some less frequently talked about problems?
15. Boundary Issues and Burnout
Without the physical separation of a workplace, remote workers may struggle to establish clear boundaries between their personal and professional lives. This can lead to working longer hours or feeling like they are always “on,” which can ultimately result in burnout.
To mitigate this challenge, remote workers should take proactive steps such as setting work hours and creating a designated workspace that is only used for work. Our guide on best practices for working remotely dives deep into strategies for establishing and maintaining boundaries while working remotely.
Or, specifically for managers of hybrid teams, our Hybrid Team Success Toolkit may be the perfect all-in-one solution for you. Containing eight key processes, meetings, rituals, and practices to help your hybrid team ingrain remote-focused behaviors throughout their days.
16. Challenges in Non-Remote-First Companies
Remote roles in non-remote-first companies may face additional challenges due to a company culture that prioritizes synchronous meetings and on-site collaboration over productive work time for remote employees. To address this challenge, organizations can:
- Shift to an Asynchronous Communication Model: Encourage the use of asynchronous communication methods such as email or project management tools like Clickup, rather than relying solely on real-time meetings.
- Establish Remote-Friendly Policies: Implement policies that support remote workers, such as flexible work schedules or reimbursement for home office equipment.
- Promote Inclusivity and Equity: Ensure that remote employees are included in decision-making processes and have equal opportunities for growth and development within the company.
By actively working to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for remote workers, companies can successfully integrate remote roles into their organization.
17. Time Zone Challenges
Last but certainly not least, with remote work, team members may be spread across different time zones, making synchronous communication challenging. This can cause delays in decision-making and project completion, as well as feelings of isolation for team members in different time zones.
Mitigating this challenge, especially for teams that live in time zones 6+ hours apart, is quite difficult. Our guide on when to use synchronous versus asynchronous communication is a good starting point to help distributed teams communicate more effectively.
Final Thoughts
While remote work provides many benefits, it also comes with its own set of challenges. By being aware of these challenges and implementing strategies to address them, companies and individuals can successfully transition to a remote work model.
