Remote Work

While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused countless disruptions to daily life worldwide, one way in which it has changed the way we work is the shift to remote work that has taken place across many industries. Remote work – also referred to as telecommuting – is when employees complete their job responsibilities from a location other than their employer’s physical workspace. Before the pandemic, the number of remote workers steadily increased year over year as technology advancements facilitated professional communication without the need for physical location. However, the pandemic has propelled remote work to unprecedented levels as many companies have adopted “work from home” policies in an effort to prevent spread of the coronavirus. Although remote working has some advantages, it also has certain disadvantages. On one hand, it can offer employees greater flexibility in terms of their schedules and work location, which can lead to increased job satisfaction, productivity, and efficiency. At the same time, working remotely can also lead to feelings of isolation, a lack of work-life balance, and a difficulty maintaining professional relationships due to the lack of face-to-face interaction. Additionally, certain jobs may not be conducive to remote work and therefore it may be required to perform duties within the workplace. As businesses begin to adopt new policies to adapt to changing times, the demand for remote work is likely to increase even after the pandemic has subsided. Therefore, providing safe and secured mechanisms for remote work will allow the continuation of operations with minimal disruption.