The New Fully-Remote Lifestyle: Pros and Cons
With the communications roles gradually making a shift to fully remote or hybrid roles, professionals could be soaking up the sun in Bali or traveling domestically in a sprinter van while on the clock. It seems too good to be true, right? Not necessarily.
Pros to the Fully-Remote Worker Lifestyle
During the COVID-19 pandemic, companies worldwide were faced with financial hardship which led many to push their employees out of the office to start working full-time from their homes. Other companies realized that enforcing remote work led to lower real estate and operating costs. Now, it is projected that by 2025, 36.2 million Americans will be working remotely.
This trend not only benefited the companies, but the employees adapted to their new environments as well. 40 percent of workers reported that they have been more productive while working remotely as opposed to being in the office. Furthermore, people were able to establish a better work-life balance and reduce their carbon footprint due to eliminated commute times (employees save an average of 40 minutes a day on commute times!). Not to mention, remote workers are able to prioritize their well-being, customize their workspaces, and have more flexibility in their lunch, coffee, and downtime breaks.
To Every Pro, There Often is a Con
Although I just hyped up the remote-work lifestyle, there are also cons to being out of the office. Remote work is not for everyone. Some people truly benefit from the conversations that happen in-person. 87 percent of employees agreed that collaboration in a physical office environment is more successful than collaboration over Zoom. This may also make it difficult for people to fulfill their need for social interaction in the workplace.
Additionally, some companies have worried about preserving their company culture through remote work. It is harder to do team-building activities through a computer screen (although it is still very possible!).
The Evolution of Remote Work
Remote work started out with a bad reputation. Companies believed that working remotely was just going to be a temporary thing that would go back to the way it was pre-pandemic. There were often comments and complaints including:
“Remote workers are less productive.”
“A fully-remote lifestyle will lead to loneliness and lack of social interaction.”
“Employers won’t be able to supervise their employees.”
“There is a lack of structure in the workplace without everyone under one roof.”
“All you will do is stare at a computer screen all day.”
Nearly all of these comments have been disproved and the amount of companies going fully-remote are on the rise. 75 percent of employees have said their work-life balance has improved, 57 percent of employers have noticed their employees are less stressed and 68 percent of Americans would prefer to work fully-remote.
How Remote Work Has Opened Opportunities in My Life
As a hybrid worker since 2020, I have mastered the fully-remote lifestyle. I keep my work space separate from my relax space and I know when to take healthy brain breaks. As an introvert, working remotely keeps me more relaxed and allows me to have my alone time when I need it.
I am a travel lover. Travel is something that I have always wanted to incorporate into my lifestyle, especially domestic travel. Working remotely allows me to take on travel opportunities and work from wherever I want to (as long as they have reliable WiFi).
This past summer, I worked remotely from the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. This allowed me to complete 2-hour hikes before I needed to log on to work and go rock-climbing in the afternoons after I clocked out. I worked from the basement of Miguel’s Pizza (a delicious pizza place and rock climber hub all in one) with three other remote-working friends. Each of us completed a 40-hour work week while also doing what we loved.
I also worked from Colorado, climbing 14,000 foot mountains on the weekends and working 8-hour shifts from a Starbucks in the booming ski-town of Breckenridge on the weekdays.
Additionally, I have worked remotely from indoor rock-climbing gyms scattered around the country, taking over their common areas and labeling them as my office for the day. During my lunch breaks, I got to climb and socialize with other climbers before “heading back” to work.
To conclude, I (obviously) am a huge supporter of remote work. It allows me to travel and work simultaneously, and I have noticed a significant change in my mental health. Although remote work may not be for everyone, it definitely is something worth getting adapted to.
About Clare
Clare Quirin is a senior with a double major in Advertising & Public Relations and Film & Video. This is her fourth semester with GrandPR, where she has previously served as an Account Executive and Account Associate. This year she fills the role of Chief Executive Officer. Clare has worked as a Marketing Associate for Senior Living Experts Chicagoland, Multimedia Journalist for Grand Rapids Public Schools, and Student Coordinator for Piper & Gold Public Relations. Clare hopes to work for an environmentally-friendly or outdoors-associated company after graduation, where she can hopefully find a position that integrates her film editing and PR skills.