When the COVID-19 pandemic came, remote work came to be a temporary measure for many people. Businesses had to keep going, and employees had to keep working safely, and technology enabled them both to make rapid adjustments... Few at the time would have predicted that some industries would be forever changed as a result of remote working.
The discussion has moved on... people are no longer asking if working remotely will be good, they are asking if remote working will last.
I personally feel that working from home is not going anywhere, but it might not be quite the same as it is now.
Part of the biggest flex of working remotely is that it helped both employers and employees with issues... Companies found that they could cut down on the costs of office space, utilities, and daily operations... Some of the benefits included for employees were reduced commuting costs, flexibility, and having more control over their schedules. Driving less reduced commuters' time in heavy traffic for many, particularly urban residents, from long hours to a manageable amount.Many who were commuters in congested areas found their quality of life is better without having to drive long hours to work.
As an African, I can also see how remote work has presented opportunities that were not available. Once upon a time, so many great and talented people were stunted by their location. Having a job in another country meant relocating to that country, travelling a long way, or having a tough time finding a job in that country. In today's world, a person in Abuja, Lagos, Nairobi, Accra or Johannesburg may be able to work for companies thousands of kilometers away without having to leave his home.
That has made a difference to the labor market alone.
It's not possible to pretend that working remotely isn't challenging, though.
Nowadays, competition has grown significantly. With employers no longer limited to local and regional talent, they are now competing against candidates from all over the world. This used to draw 50 job seekers to this position, but thousands now apply. This has made it harder to find remote positions, particularly for those starting out.
Some believe that remote working will be phased out due to this saturation.
I disagree.
I believe the thing that will go is the notion that remote jobs are readily available..
Remote jobs are still in demand as many employees appreciate the freedom of working remotely.... Meanwhile, companies are still enjoying the advantages of global talent. The benefits are not gone simply because there is more competition.
Rather, employers will be becoming more discriminating.... The emphasis will be even greater than it was on skills, experience, communication abilities and results.... Out-of-the-office employees will have to prove that they can still work efficiently without day-to-day oversight.
Another trend I anticipate will remain is the increasing number of hybrid work options. A number of companies have already implemented work schedules that allow staff to work from home for a portion of the week and at the office for the remainder. This solution is meant to strike a balance between flexibility and the collaborative and cultural space that is afforded by physical offices.
In certain industries, remote work will continue to be the preferred way of working. Many jobs in the software sector, digital marketing, writing, customer support, consulting and other tech related professions can be done from anywhere. There are always other jobs that are physical. Many jobs in the service sector, like health care, construction, manufacturing and other professions simply can't be done from home.
The work of the future will not be soley working from home or soley working in the office.
Rather, it'll be a blend of these two.
One of the most important things we've learned from remote working is that productivity is not location dependent. It has been decades since a number of organizations started to count the time people were on the job. Someone who sat at a desk all day, until evening, was productive. That's not the case with remote work, though, as it has forced a focus on results instead of show up.
It is not likely to change its course all the way back.
To me, the office is no longer a place. It is turning into an activity. That activity occurs sometimes in a corporate building. It can be in a home office sometimes. It sometimes occurs in a co-working space or coffee shop.
The location of the work is not important as long as it is done properly.
So, does remote work still exist?
Yes I do think it will.
The competition could grow more challenging. The requirements may increase. Depending on the company, staff may be returning to the office. The concept of work taking place from anywhere has already revolutionized the world, though.
But after people have seen that, it's hard to think that it could just vanish altogether.
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