Setting up remote work: What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Future of work
May 20, 2022
Published by
Vianney

remote work, also known as remote work, has become increasingly popular in recent years in companies, whether they are start-ups or large groups. It offers many advantages to both the employee and the employer.

However, there are also disadvantages to remote work that need to be considered before making the decision to work from home. 

In December 2021, 23% of the working population remote worked according to the DARES (Direction de l'Animation de la Recherche, des Études et des Statistiques).

In this article we will look closely at the various advantages and disadvantages of remote work for employees and why a hybrid model is certainly one of the best solutions to implement in your company.

The benefits of remote work

Even if it's not always easy, there are a number of advantages that compensate for the difficulties encountered when working remotely rather than within the company. In particular, setting up a remote work charter can help reduce the difficulties encountered by employees.

A more comfortable working environment

One of the advantages of remote work is that it can be practiced in the comfort of your own home. No more trying to concentrate with noisy colleagues nearby, or having to put up with your employer's omnipresence. What's more, the company often provides equipment adapted to remote work.

You can arrange your workspace in the way that suits you best and take advantage of all the amenities your living space has to offer, from your kitchen for example, to a comfortable sofa for breaks and why not your terrace in the summer.

And if you need to take a personal call or deal with a family emergency, you can do so without having to ask your employer's permission. In other words, remote work gives employees the freedom to create a much more comfortable and productive work environment than most companies.

A more flexible dress code

One of the main advantages of remote work is that it offers a more flexible dress code for the employee, especially for those in certain roles where suits and ties are required. When you work from home, you can wear pretty much what you want. This means that you can say goodbye to some sometimes uncomfortable clothes, and hello to yoga pants and slippers.

In addition, a more flexible dress code can help to stimulate productivity and creativity of employees. When you feel comfortable and relaxed, you are better able to focus on your work and come up with new ideas.

More family time

For many employees in companies, the typical working day can quickly become a hellish organisation. With long working hours and commuting times, it can be difficult to find time for what is most important in life: the family. 

remote work offers a uniquesolution to this problem by allowing employees to work remotely from home.

Not only does it eliminate the need for a long commute to the company, but it also offers employees greater organisational flexibility. As a result, remote work can lead to a better work-life balance and more time spent with family.

The disadvantages of remote work

remote work offers, as we have seen above, advantages, but also has disadvantages for the employee that you should be aware of. Before you ask your employer to remote work full-time, read on to find out the main disadvantages of working remotely from home.

Less social interaction

For some people, the lack of social interaction is a major disadvantage of remote work. It is true that working from home can be isolating for the employee, and it can be easy to feel cut off from the rest of the world. This is particularly true if you live in a rural area or if your working hours do not fit in with those of other companies.

If you remote work, it is important to take steps to keep in touch with other people. Make an effort to interact with people, both remotely and in person, and join social or professional organisations where you can meet new people. 

In addition, you should not forget to exchange as much as possible with your colleagues on collaborative tools such as Slack for example, in video on Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and why not organise remote events to maintain the link.

Lack of motivation

Lack of motivation is perhaps the biggest complaint employers have about remote workers. When employees are not physically present in the office, it can be difficult to assess their level of commitment and performance.

In addition, remote workers may be more inclined to take breaks or be away from their work during the day, resulting in lower productivity. Employers may also feel that they are not able to provide adequate organisation, supervision and support when employees are not present in the company.

The sidelining of the company

Another major disadvantage of remote work is the risk of being left out of the company. When you're not physically present in the office, it can be easy for your colleagues or employer to forget about you. You may not be included in important meetings or conversations, and you may not have the same opportunities to make contacts and build relationships with other employees.

As a result, you may find yourself at a disadvantage when it comes to promotions or other opportunities for advancement.

Of course, there are ways to combat this risk, for example by keeping in touch with employees and collaborators as regularly as possible, even on an informal basis. 

Do not neglect cordial relations with other employees, and do not become a working machine, as this may be counterproductive for your life.

As you can see, the implementation of remote work in companies is a real challenge for both employees and employers. While we have seen in a previous article that productivity can be improved when working from home, it is important to look after the well-being of employees, whether they work remotely or not.