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Exploring the Impact of the Remote Working Era

Jun 20, 2024

  • 7 Minute Read


I have no doubt that if you strike up a remote working debate with anyone, at the gym, over dinner, standing next to the water cooler - most everyone has a lot to say on it.


Now, is that because it is intrinsically linked to our personalities: introvert vs. extrovert? Or, is it the selfish pursuit of our own agendas as company directors and employees trying to reap the most productive return out of our time? Whatever your thoughts, willing or not, we all experienced the sheer force of Covid-19 and the impact that it had on our day-to-day lives; it presented one of the largest non-consensual remote working experiments, but required everyone to act, everyone to pivot, and if you didn’t, you got left in the dust.


As of 2023, a significant portion of the workforce has embraced remote working, with 12.7% of full-time employees opting to work from home, while 28.2% have adopted a hybrid model (Forbes Advisor). Looking ahead, Upwork predicts that by 2025, a staggering 32.6 million Americans will be working remotely. These statistics underscore the growing prevalence of remote work and the shift towards this new working landscape.


So, what are the benefits, and what are the costs of remote working? And, what's the impact on our mental health and self-betterment opportunities?


The Benefits & Costs of Remote Working


The remote working era has brought forth a multitude of benefits and costs, each impacting individuals in different ways. On one hand, remote work offers unparalleled flexibility and autonomy, enabling employees to tailor their work schedules to better suit their personal lives.


We have seen productivity for some companies and individuals skyrocket, and some could argue this is because a better work-life balance is sought - more family moments, increased pet cuddles, and lower workplace formalities. Some research has found productivity to increase as high as 24% (Work From Home & Productivity, Michael Gibbs, Friederike Mengel, and Christoph Siemroth 2021) (3). And for introverts, this shift may come as a welcome relief, providing an opportunity to work in solitude and focus without the distractions of a bustling office environment.


Conversely, extroverts may find the lack of social interaction challenging, missing the camaraderie and spontaneity of in-person collaboration. Those water-cooler chats are no more, and the idea exchange in the lift or on the way to or from the car is no more. In a world with ongoing investment and pursuit to break down departmental silos in Team Building and Engagement, is remote working creating a new silo that current technology cannot fully solve?


From a productivity standpoint, remote work has proven to be a double-edged sword. While some individuals thrive in the comfort of their own homes, free from the distractions of a traditional office setting, others may struggle to stay motivated and focused without the structure and accountability provided by a physical workspace. We have seen research showing the increased productivity of workers, but equally, we have also seen research showing a decline of 4% (Research Paper: Working Remotely, Natalia Emanuel and Emma Harrington) (4) and some studies showing as high as a 19% decline. But, could this be a learned-response, or at least dependant on the worker-type and their ethics; research in Turkey found that there was significant benefits in improving self-leadership roles at home with remote working, and subsequently seeing an increase in performance (Maden-Eyiusta and Alparslan) (5).


A big hit of the remote working model is the blurring of boundaries between work and home life and can lead to longer hours and increased feelings of burnout, as employees find themselves unable to disconnect from work-related tasks. Going to the office can give us a clear divide between work and home, and that's found in simple triggers such as our day-to-day uniform or clocking in and out… but when you've been in PJs all day answering emails, it can be hard to let go or know when to stop.


As read in the American Psychological Association Online, by Zara Adams: “...Studies show that remote workers tend to log more hours than their office-based counterparts and experience a blurring of boundaries between their home and work lives” Zara noted “....When you're working from an office, there's a natural start and stop time,” Gajendran says. “It’s important to have similar boundaries and routines for your remote work.”- Ravi Gajendran, PhD, a professor of management at Florida International University. (6)


And what about the new working generation, newly graduated, and being taught the “ropes”.. what ropes are now being shared and how effective is it compared to before. We know that before, a recent graduate would hopefully get ample amounts of time to ask questions, observe-and-learn opportunities, bounce off colleagues, and be supported in their development with effective onboarding, supervision, and maybe even mentorship, but is remote working for the new graduate going back to the closed-office door scenario, where only the very ambitious, self-starters, and action-takers will thrive?


Are companies aware of the impact and doing enough to counter the adjustments? This new scenario is leading to all sorts of impacts on the newly graduated while we learn to close the gap, and that includes delayed feedback, lack of supervision or direction on a day-to-day basis, learning about workload management or office etiquette, and getting those sneak peek impulsive senior level meeting exposure. Remote workers are also limited by their networking opportunities if companies don’t do enough to counter it. Communication here is key, and effective communication can be a big enough issue in a conventional working environment.


The Impact on Mental Health and Self-Betterment


One of the most significant considerations in the remote working debate is its impact on mental health and self-betterment. On one hand, remote work offers the opportunity for individuals to prioritize their well-being by incorporating self-care practices into their daily routines. Without the stress of commuting or the distractions of a noisy office, employees may find themselves with more time and energy to dedicate to activities that promote mental and physical health, such as exercise, meditation, and hobbies.


However, the isolation inherent in remote work can also take a toll on mental health, particularly for those who thrive on social interaction - as we said earlier. The lack of face-to-face communication and spontaneous collaboration can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection, impacting overall mood and well-being. The pressure to constantly be available and responsive in a remote work environment can exacerbate feelings of stress and anxiety.


We are currently living in a world of declining social interaction, and for some, their biggest social interactions come from work - so are we opening a dangerous can of worms here.


Some Practical Solutions


Being such a double-edged sword that remote working is, it really does pose some complex social and economic issues that need to be addressed, a bit like walking a tightrope from one skyscraper to another. So, what are some potential solutions to this, and can we get it right the first time around?


  1. Team Building: With the health impacts of remote working, making team building a priority on a regular basis could reap positive benefits on both sides of the sword. These don’t need to be company-wide major events; they just need to be social, away from day-to-day formality, fostering engagement and personal and professional development that is now potentially lost. Think bowling, cinema and dinner nights, board game nights, friendly kick-arounds, and cooking workshops. 


  1. Corporate Wellness Initiatives: Remote working presents some savings along the way, so investment into corporate wellness could be key to giving your remote working team the edge. Invest in a personal trainer for group sessions once a week at the gym, set up easy access challenges with incentives and rewards to move - such as a step challenge. Invest in educational workshops from professionals that help to nurture and develop the well-being of your team. A healthy, active individual more often than not outperforms someone who is not healthy and active, so at the end of the day, it's a win-win, in fact it was found that 91% of employees in supported wellbeing cultures achieve their best at work (American Psychological Association, 2017).


  1. Corporate Coaches: Corporate Executive Coaches provide support for employees and your team to enable them to make the most out of their circumstances, and provide a non-bias sounding board which becomes a catalyst for success and reaching personal and professional goals. Most of the top CEOs in the world have coaches, and now do much of middle to senior management in large forward-thinking companies. Coaching is a fast-growing industry, and with the opportunity costs saved from big office space in the remote working era, this saving could be reappropriated to health-welding benefits as such.


Looking Towards the Future


As we reflect on the impact of the remote working era, it's essential to consider the lessons learned and how we can apply them moving forward, but truthfully we probably won't know the true impact and best practices for a few years yet.


It appears that remote working benefits outweigh the negatives, but we definitely should not forget about the impact. So, what are the answers here? Is it a hybrid model? Is it the rebirth of more social activity, sports and clubs with additional time won through reduced commuting and higher productivity levels? Will it be economics and profit that solidifies the next stage, or will we be self-conscious and aware enough of our personal health to ensure that this is catered for?


Moving forward, it's crucial for organizations and leaders to prioritize strategies that promote well-being amongst all workers, fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values both individual autonomy and collective connection.


Don't forget to follow Pulse for more insightful articles and updates as we explore the latest trends and developments in Health and Wellness!



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