2020 completely changed how we see jobs and how we work, and we met the advantages of remote work. White-collar workers switched from one day to the next by staying in the safety of their homes. Meetings and business calls were moved up into the clouds. Zoom and Microsoft Teams skyrocketed as the demand for these online meeting software increased so much that the companies were not able to fulfill the needs.
As the pandemic hit, everyone got comfortable - we would be sitting in our joggers all day long, with messy hair and our favorite coffee mug in one hand. In the meantime, we could do laundry, cook a quick lunch, or have a slow morning. Without the commute and getting ready in the morning, we could sleep in and maybe have more time to think through the day ahead.
Employees wouldn’t leave their homes to meet colleagues, but doing so we opened up the possibility of blurring the lines between work and private life. One second we would all be in a call with our boss at our desk, at the end of the bedroom or in the living room, and the next minute we were having dinner with our family or going to bed in the same space.
Slowly but surely, we started to have questions about whether we should stick with the newly found freedom or go back to the office. And if so, how many times and in what forms? The IT industry has been at the forefront of remote work adoption, but is full remote the future, or does hybrid work offer the best of both worlds?
Remote work or working from home?
Remote work and working from home are terms that are often misused or switched. With remote work, you can be anywhere in the globe, even if it means a serious time difference compared to other colleagues or clients. However, in 2020, what we experienced was working from home. As we could not leave the comfort of our home, we stayed at home, hopefully not too far from the office, in the same city. We were not allowed to travel, therefore we stayed indoors.
Remote work means that you can sit in the middle of the jungle and work while playing with monkeys – if you have Wi-Fi, of course. You can have global clients while exploring the world. Especially as an IT professional, where speaking English is already a must, you can choose jobs from a higher-paying country, either as an employee or a freelancer.
Why is it better to work from home or remotely?
Although many companies are trying to attract back their employees to the workplace - mostly in a form of hybrid work - WFH actually has its own benefits!
- Better productivity
Even though employers were afraid that a decrease in productivity would cause issues when working from home, the opposite is true. According to several studies and surveys, it looks like people work longer hours! Saving the time of commuting to your workplace, but the kids still need to get to school? Well, you have some time left, why not just start working at 8:30 instead of 9 a.m.?
Employees also report less work-related stress and an improved work-life balance. Having lunch with your friends or with your family instead of talking about work-related issues with your colleagues sounds relaxing.
Employees also take more breaks, even if it’s only standing up and going for a coffee, calling a friend, going for a run, meditating, or doing the dishes. These all can also boost productivity, as they distract our brain from the issues we are trying to solve in our job.
- Boost employee engagement
In most offices—and especially IT—professionals value remote work, and they report higher job satisfaction. The flexibility and the trust remote work offers make employees happy and engaged, so they are more likely to stay longer at the company.
- Remote workers are healthier
According to surveys, remote workers are able to fit their work schedules around other activities, making them engage in exercise, run, marathon, or just walk outdoors. Walking your dog frequently in the nearby park or picking up running in the morning instead of sitting in the car commuting makes you healthier. We also don’t have to go to the office to catch a cold or virus from our colleagues, so we may be sick less often.
Why IT professionals prefer remote work
So, why does remote work dominate the discussion in IT? Here are some key reasons that might be the biggest factors:
- Global talent access Remote work removes geographical barriers, allowing companies to hire the best talent regardless of location. IT professionals also enjoy more job opportunities without the need to relocate. Nonetheless, for most companies, working in the same time zone (+/-1 hour) is still very important. This access to global talent also contributed to the prosperity and growth of IT in several Asian regions, such as India!
- Better work-life balance For many, remote work means skipping long commutes and enjoying a more balanced lifestyle. Flexibility allows IT professionals to structure their day around their most productive hours.
- Cost savings Both companies and employees benefit financially from remote setups. Businesses save on office expenses, while employees reduce commuting and living costs, especially in high-rent cities. However, most companies still have offices or rent co-working spaces to provide the employees with a quiet workplace for more focused work.
What’s next? The future of IT workplaces
With remote work being the preferred choice for most IT professionals, companies need to adapt by offering flexible work models. Hybrid setups may remain a strong alternative, but fully in-office IT jobs seem to be fading.
