Remote Work Realities: Fact or Fiction?

Remote work has been the curveball that none of us could have predicted would become the norm over the last five years in America. Nearly overnight, cities that had been bustling with the traffic of employees commuting just 24 hours’ prior went completely dark as businesses all over the country hunkered down and began to operate from a distance. For the first few months of this endeavor, the various “rules” of working remotely seemed to change daily for many companies as they focused primarily on staying financially afloat amidst the COVID-19 chaos.

</p> <section data-block="MultipleChoice"> <h3>Which of the following statements is true about working remotely?</h3> <ul> <li>Remote work is ultimately never fully remote since travel and in-person meetings are often required</li> <li>Employees who work remotely are less likely to experience burnout in their careers</li> <li>Remote work can maximize productivity and reduce turnover rates</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="MultipleChoice"> <h3>Fact or fiction: remote workers often need high end technology and equipment to complete their tasks at home</h3> <ul> <li>Fact: not being in the office means that most equipment is not available to employees who are at home</li> <li>Fiction: a computer, monitor, and printer cover all of the bases for most employees working remotely</li> <li>Undecided: some companies prepare their employees well for remote work, while others force equipment expenses on their employees</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="MultipleChoice"> <h3>Which of the following statements about remote work is false?</h3> <ul> <li>Remote work didn’t exist until Covid-19</li> <li>Remote work reduces promotional opportunities and job satisfaction</li> <li>The amount of remote workers is projected to continue increasing over the coming years</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="MultipleChoice"> <h3>Fact or fiction: Remote workers have less job security than employees who work in an in-person setting</h3> <ul> <li>Fact: Not being in person can damage the optics of an employee’s role and productivity</li> <li>Fiction: Remote workers have equal job security and stability</li> <li>Undecided: Time will tell if this phenomenon is true or not</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="MultipleChoice"> <h3>Fact or fiction: Remote work reduces company costs and expenses</h3> <ul> <li>Fact: Due to not having to account for the expenses of an office space and office amenities, remote work saves businesses money</li> <li>Fiction: While companies don’t have to pay rent for an office space, they have to provide employees with at home equipment and high speed internet</li> <li>Undecided: Company expenses are likely about the same whether remote or in person</li> </ul> </section> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>

Remote Work’s Lasting Impact

Overtime, many businesses settled in and established their remote norms, while other companies have reverted back to an entirely in-person rhythm. Overall though, remote work has maintained a significant presence in America’s workforce. According to U.S. News, although remote work has declined a bit since the start of the pandemic, it still remains three to four times more prevalent than it was prior to the first few months of 2020.

Managing Remote Work Routines

For those companies that have maintained a remote or hybrid protocol, it’s been interesting to see how they have managed the day to day schedules and habits of their employees. Some businesses have tightened up the routines of their employees in ways that are even more regimented than they were before, while a few have relaxed the stringencies and have instead allowed their staff members to lead independent schedules. Regardless of how companies are structuring their systems, whether remote or hybrid, every employee has undergone change within their profession due to the pandemic.

Advancing Your Career in a Remote Environment

Now that many of us are nearly five years deep into our remote realities, it’s time to separate fact from fiction. Can employees actually advance and refine their careers from afar the same way that they could when they were in person? Does remote work limit our opportunities for promotions? Are healthy professional relationships becoming extinct? Take the quiz to debunk some of these misconceptions about working remotely, and enjoy a few strategies for how you can enhance your career while working from the comfort of your home – if your contract allows it!

Remote Work’s Lasting Impact

Managing Remote Work Routines

Advancing Your Career in a Remote Environment

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