How Remote Work Has Changed Lives

min read

9/12/2022

Remote work came to the fore in the 1980s under the guise of ‘telecommuting’- when companies began to test whether employees could work with a flexible schedule. Some of the largest companies in the US, like JCPenney and General Electric, put into motion telecommuting policies, which paved the way for future remote workers.

This was a small step at the time, the ripples of which would be felt in the 1990s when the government began actively supporting telecommuting programs. Considered to be out-of-the-box thinking, at first, companies soon realized that such programs were the future. They reduced travel time and led to a rise in employee satisfaction. In short, a majority of employees loved the shift.

The early 2000s saw an even more significant shift towards the remote working model, where companies began to allow their employees flexibility actively. There was a sharp 35% increase in those working partially remotely, i.e., a few days at home each week.

In 2020, the world saw an unprecedented tidal wave in the form of COVID-19. Companies no longer had the option to choose whether employees were working remotely or from the office. They didn’t have the opportunity to choose- remote working became the norm. When things did begin easing up, companies and their employees realized that remote work was the only way forward.

But how exactly did something that initially began in the 1980s become a way of life in 2022? And how has it changed the world and employees’ lives across the US?

Reduced Commuting Time

Employees no longer have to commute to work every single day. Long hours spent driving to work or in public transportation have drastically reduced. As a result, the frustration of being stuck in traffic or jostled in the subway has been removed from an employee’s everyday life. Multiple options are available in every city for those who have chosen to work remotely from coworking spaces. It has become as simple as searching for “ coworking space for rent near me ” online and finding multiple options instantly available.

Increased Time With Family

Family dynamics have also changed due to the surge in remote working opportunities. Couples have the opportunity to share the responsibilities of parenthood more equally. They also have the chance to create flexible work schedules, which can be molded based on the family’s needs. This increased family time has also led to employees being happier. Happier employees lead to increased productivity and better dynamics between coworkers.

Heightened Efficiency at Work

The shift to remote working has allowed employees to create their work schedules and organize their day as they see fit. Sometimes, this can also mean shorter, tightly packed days with heightened efficiency. When employees allot themselves a certain number of hours to complete a task… It's a schedule created for them and by them. This results in more efficient work schedules where time isn’t wasted on distractions at work or long commuting hours.

A Changed Sense of Community

Remote working, especially for those working from coworking spaces, has created an entirely new sense of community. Earlier it was a given that employees who worked together befriended each other. But an exciting shift that has come about with the rise in remote work is that employees are venturing outside their comfort zones to make friends. Employees are learning from people from different walks of life, and building skill sets that they earlier wouldn’t have been able to.

The growth of remote work has changed the world as we know it. Traditional workspaces are slowly being replaced by working from home or coworking spaces. And this trend is here to stay.