The arrival of remote work has changed our way of relating to one another in the workplace. We have stopped spending our days with coworkers in the same space and instead interact with each other through screens. Working remotely, which brings with it a number of advantages, also has disadvantages at the social level, which you must know if you want to face them.

What are the advantages of working remotely?

• Flexibility and convenience. It is a fact that with remote work, time and effort spent going to and from the office are eliminated, allowing the creation of new routines. Additionally, physical and mental fatigue are greatly reduced, as well as work absences.
• Family reconciliation. Remote work is an ally to parents or those with someone in their care, allowing them to spend more time caring for their charges and being with their families.
• Saving time and expenses. Not having to go into the office saves time for the employees, as well as transportation costs like gasoline. Likewise, employers don’t need to have a physical space for all their employees, which reduces their expenses and allows them to create more optimized office spaces.
• Remote work benefits the environment. Eliminating travel to the office means saving energy, which is better for the environment (lower gas consumption and energy use through public and private transportation).
• Increase in productivity. The workers’ performance is assumed to be higher because they are better rested and in a comfortable environment, which can increase interest in their work.
• Fewer sick leaves. Tt has been shown, especially due to the pandemic, that those working from home take fewer sick leaves because they catch fewer illnesses.

What could be disadvantages of working from home?

• Feelings of isolation and trouble with teamwork. The lack of a work environment, as well as professional relationships with coworkers, can lead to feelings of isolation and a lack of companionship, which in turn can cause dissociation with the company. This can make it difficult to maintain a positive teamwork environment.
• Difficulty disconnecting from work. If you work in the same place you sleep, relax, and develop your personal relationships, it can be difficult to disconnect, leading to stress and a decrease in productivity.
• Unlimited distractions: Working from home can result in a number of distractions that reduce productivity. In an office, you want a clean, uncluttered space that helps your concentration.
• Disguised confinement. Lack of human contact and having your personal and work environments in the same space can lead to feelings of confinement and loneliness.
• Loss of confidentiality. Cyberattacks are one of the biggest problems companies face. Remote work makes it difficult to manage work equipment and therefore makes these attacks more likely. This affects the confidentiality of the company, the workers, and the clients.