3 Misconceptions of Remote Work Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic
How and why the COVID-19 pandemic created misleading misconceptions about remote work
The COVID-19 pandemic forced millions of people to work remotely. When people are forced to do something they don't fully understand they create misconceptions and bad habits. There's no one to blame here, but let's focus on the 3 misconceptions:
- Working remotely = working from home
- Working remotely = isolation
- Working remotely = staying constantly online
Let's unpack one by one.
Misconception 1: Working remotely = working from home
Work-from-home has become the most popular way of describing the remote work model. Due to the pandemic, staying home and working from home was the first contact with remote work for many people — hence the misconception.
While it is probably true that most remote workers work from home, this has been marked by many as the only option to remote work office settings.
Remote work allows people to work from wherever they get their best work done. Where they feel most productive — a co-working space, a cafe, or… home.
The only thing associating working remotely with working from home is people's choice to do so.
Misconception 2: Working remotely = isolation
During the pandemic, people were sent home and told not to meet with friends, family, and co-workers. Isolation was a consequence— hence the misconception.
While working remotely most times means not collaborating with co-workers in the same physical space, it doesn't mean people will be isolated. On the contrary, remote work gives people back time and flexibility. This means having ownership of their schedules — meeting with a friend for lunch, with a co-worker for a coffee break, going on a swimming class in the afternoon, or spending the evening working at your parent's.
Isolation is also at people's disposal, if that suits them.
Misconception 3: Working remotely = staying constantly online
Traditional work environments have inherently defined collaboration happens from people being physically in the same room and that decisions are made during meetings. Being in the office means work, being outside the office means leisure. Being in the office means you're getting things done, being outside the office means you're not. The 9–5 construct created the necessary boundaries to move us from work to leisure and vice versa.
Fast forward 2020, the 9–5 boundary is gone.
The office is now online and because the boundary is gone there has been a challenge to disconnect. Many companies have required a high level of online availability fearing people won't perform the same way as in the office. Every message needs a timely reply. Many people have stayed constantly online and for longer hours, even on their leisure time — hence the misconception.
This has led to high stress levels and a big impact on people's mental health.
The pandemic forced generations with traditional work environment experiences to abruptly and dramatically change their way of working. This doesn't happen overnight.
When done right, remote work disrupts the traditional work environment by removing the association between being physically present and getting things done. People are assessed by their performance, not by how many hours they put in.
I invite you to reflect on these 3 misconceptions and to picture remote work without the pandemic.
That's what remote work is, not what we've faced in the past 2 years due to COVID.
