Remote work has forever changed not just the way we do our work but also our lives.
Today, coffee shops, internet cafes, or even just your bedroom now serve as offices. Jobs we previously thought impossible to do remotely, such as architecture or engineering jobs, are now regularly carried out online.
And because of how convenient this setup is, many Filipinos are now choosing it over returning to the office. They prefer it so much that some consider leaving their employers if they don’t offer a remote or hybrid setup.
And who could blame them? Flexible work schedules, improved productivity, and not needing to commute are just a few benefits of remote work. Remote work has given employees more control over their time and how they want to do their tasks.
Besides these, how else has remote work changed our lives? Let’s find out.
Remote Work Offers Flexibility When and Where You Can Work
Before remote work became popular, our work schedules were often rigid. If your shift is from 8 am to 5 pm, then you must stick to it and stay in the office during those hours. Or else.
But if you’re working remotely, you can choose where and when to do your work. Just talk to your boss in advance regarding any adjustments in your schedule, and you’re good to go.
This flexibility is something that you won’t find in a traditional office job. It allows you to spend more time with your loved ones or hobbies.
However, having flexibility in where and when you work can also prove problematic. For one, disconnecting from work can be challenging.
Since your schedule is flexible, your employer may think you’re available anytime. In addition, some employees find it challenging to work at home.
But for the most part, many employees find that this flexibility that remote work offers is a welcome change in their work lives.
Remote Work Presents More Work Opportunities to More People.
Finding a job isn’t easy. But some people find it more difficult than others.
Whether it’s because of a handicap or because they’re single parents who need to look after their kids at home, a traditional office job isn’t always viable for a good chunk of the population.
So another way that remote work has changed our lives is by evening out the playing field for those who often find themselves on the margins.
Take persons with disabilities (PWDs), for example. Not all PWDs can easily commute to the office. And some may also have difficulty working with their co-workers in an office setup.
But in a remote work setup, they don’t have to worry about these. Since they’re working at home, they have access to all their assistive devices and work tools.
And since most communication is through Zoom or Skype, they won’t have to feel self-conscious when talking to their boss and co-workers.
Remote Work Favors Output Over Presence.
Back in an office setup, simply being present at work is enough to qualify as “working” to your employers. This is despite the fact that you’re not being as productive as your co-workers.
This isn’t the case in remote work.
Another way remote work has changed the workforce is by shifting how productivity is measured. From simply being present in the office, productivity is now measured by how much work you’ve done during your shift.
This means employee productivity is based on the quantity and quality of work you produce rather than just being present in the office. As long as you churn out quality work on time, it wouldn’t matter if you finish it within four hours or eight.
Yes, you’re still required to complete your shift. But if you finish early, you can use your remaining time however you wish. This motivates employees to be more productive, as they actually feel rewarded when they do their work.
An output-based merit system also promotes trust between employees and their employees. Since you’re not meeting physically, your employers trust that you’re doing your work instead of lazing around.
Of course, this takes a lot of getting used to. But once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you wouldn’t want it any other way.
Working at Home Means No More Commuting.
No one likes commuting to work, especially here in the Philippines. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and a significant source of stress for many employees.
With remote work, however, you can say goodbye to commuting hassles forever. This is perhaps one of the most significant changes that remote work has brought to workers’ lives.
In an office setup, you have to worry about not just going to the office but returning home too. This is especially true if you live far away.
Besides saving a lot of money from commute expenses, working via online jobs also gives you more time to rest.
Since you don’t need to wake up early anymore to avoid the morning rush, you can use the time to get more rest instead. In addition, you can also use your after-work hours to be with your family instead of spending hours lining up at the bus or train station just to go back home.
Remote Work Blurs the Lines Between Work and Personal Life.
Not every change brought about by remote work in people’s lives benefits workers. One of the most prominent downsides of working from home is the lack of boundaries between work and your personal life.
In a traditional work setup, there was a clear line between work and personal life. Once you’ve left the office, you leave your work behind. But what happens when your office is also your home?
This sudden imbalance between work and personal life is a significant cause of stress for many workers. This stress can lead to poor sleep, burnout, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Because of this, lawmakers are proposing new laws to protect workers from being overworked by their employers.
One such proposal is House Bill 10717, or the proposed workers’ rest law. This proposed law forbids employers from contacting their employees after work hours.
A New Work Setup for a New Work Environment.
Before the pandemic, being able to work from home was considered to be a fantasy. But now, many workers have found the perfect jobs in this setup, and the future of remote work looks brighter than ever.
Remote work shows that there’s an alternative to having a fulfilling career aside from the traditional nine-to-five setup. Here, you have more flexibility in choosing when and where to work.
However, this new work setup also comes with new problems. One of these problems is blurring the lines between work and home life. Despite this, remote work has become very popular among workers.
These are just a few of the ways that remote work has forever changed the way we work and our lives.
About Rica Jankulovski
As the Co-Founder and General Manager of Remote Staff, Rica Jankulovski has been helping small-to-medium sized companies grow sustainably and steadily by matching them with hard-working, English-speaking Filipino remote talent.
Having been born and raised in the Philippines and currently living in Australia, her unique experiences and perspectives on both cultures allow her to constantly empower both her clients and remote talents to make a meaningful difference in work and in life for the past 15 years.