Remote Work: Is It Really The Dream?

Recognizing the pros and cons of remote work and whether it is worth chasing

One of the most hyped career decisions in tech that has constantly raised debate and discussion across social media over the last few years is remote work. And the hype exists for a good reason. The ability to work from the comfort of one’s home or any location with an internet connection has brought unprecedented flexibility and ease for many. However, working remotely is not all sunshine and roses. Unlike how it’s often presented on social media, remote work has several drawbacks that must be discussed to gain a complete picture of what working remotely can do for you and what it can’t.

Therefore, in this issue, I’ll discuss the pros and cons of remote work, leveraging my experiences across various internships, contract roles, and my current workplace over the last 4+ years.

The Goods

There’s no denying that remote work carries several benefits for workers. Here are some of the best of those benefits:

• Work-life balance (the good side)
  The option to work from home enables lots of people to improve their day-to-day lives by eliminating the daily commute and working from their homes. This allows them to spend more time with their families and friends, improve their financial savings, and indulge their hobbies, passions, etc., leading to a healthier balance.

• Flexibility in work hours
  Most remote workers get an extended amount of flexibility to set their work hours. Even for me, since I don’t prefer working mornings, I can work afternoon onwards and maintain better productivity.

• Global opportunities
  Remote work opens doors to a global job market, thus providing aspirants with access to a wide range of job opportunities unbound to their location. Due to different countries' economies, this can sometimes also lead to better salaries + benefits compared to local companies (depending on where you live).

• Increased productivity and satisfaction
  Since remote work allows folks to work in their preferred environments and work hours, it enables them to be more productive and choose their convenience, leading to more job satisfaction.

• Inclusivity
  One very underrated benefit of remote work is that it makes accessing work opportunities a lot easier for people with disabilities as well as those with the appropriate talent but lack access to opportunities in their local regions.

The Bads

While the goods of remote work are often discussed, the bads simply aren’t.

• Isolation and loneliness
  Remote work can often be isolating, mainly due to the lack of in-person social interactions and camaraderie found in an office, which can negatively impact mental health. This is an issue that I face at times, too.

• Communication challenges
  Digital communication is very different from in-person communication. Since it becomes difficult for people to judge emotions, it can lead to misunderstandings and less effective teamwork, which are critical for a team to succeed. Also, coordinating with folks in different time zones can lead to delays and difficulties.

• Lack of supervision
  Self-motivation is crucial in remote work, and some folks may struggle without the structure of an office, especially early-career professionals who do not have past working experience.

• Technical issues
  The reliability of individual work output can stutter significantly since technical issues like internet connectivity problems, software glitches, and hardware issues can disrupt remote work.

• Work-life balance (the bad side)
  Remote work can blur the boundaries between work and personal life. Even for me, it led to me not disengaging from work when necessary, disregarding my health, and siloing myself. Without clear boundaries, some remote workers may also end up overworking and experiencing burnout.

Is Remote Work Worth It?

Personally, I love working at a remote-first company. However, it is necessary to recognize remote work as a double-edged sword, and as attractive as it may be, the downsides cannot remain forgotten.

As remote work continues to evolve, people must carefully weigh these pros and cons to determine whether it aligns with their personal and professional needs. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, and understanding the full spectrum of remote work experiences is crucial for making an informed decision about whether it’s worth it.

I sincerely hope we will find more ways to fix these issues and make remote work a more sustainable experience for everyone. It is here to stay, and we can only expect to see more companies adopt the remote-first model in the years to come.