I’ve worked in tech & product management for about 8 years now. Several of the companies I previously worked for always had an issue with me working remotely. The worst part is, I didn’t even need to be in the office. Many of the teams I collaborated with were already overseas or in other states. So I was literally at the office having meetings with people who weren’t even at the office!
COVID-19
And then.
Boom.
Covid — 19 happened.
COVID-19 isn’t a funny situation, but stubborn companies that refused to offer flexible remote working options, I laugh at. Now all of those companies have to change their working models.
Thankfully, right before covid-19 happened, I made a decision that every company I work for, going forward, will be 100% remote.
Companies Are Stubborn About Remote-Working
A few reasons why companies aren’t on board with remote working:
Trust issues
Lack of technology to support remote working
Limited resources
Traditional working models
Myths about remote working:
Decreased productivity
Company progress will be limited or slow
Valuable social interactions will diminish
Communication will be negatively affected
A Few Thoughts
I’ve had more valuable conversations at remote companies than in-person companies. I’ve been more productive at remote companies (I mean, my productivity literally skyrocketed). I’ve produced my best work at remote companies. I’ve communicated more effectively at remote companies.
And now, I don’t have to listen to several side conversations at once, have people stop by my desk for meaningless conversations, have people look at my screen because they’re so damn nosy, waste hours on commuting, waste time preparing lunches, nor do I have to waste money on work clothes.
I’ve had my most toxic employee experiences at non-remote companies.
Remote Companies
The companies that do offer remote working, though, I have found them to be some of the most extraordinary companies to work for. When you work for a company that actively implements a remote working model, there is already a level of established trust between the employer and its employees, which I appreciate. Furthermore, companies that offer remote working tend to have above-average benefits and perks for their employees; the employee experience is usually better (not always, but more often than not). There is a level of empathy and understanding that people have lives outside of work, and offering flexibility only helps everyone.
Companies that have trust issues with employees that work remote, treat their employees like dubious children. Aren’t we all adults now? If you can’t trust me, don’t hire me.
A Word of Advice to Companies
The more you invest in your employees, the more they will be willing to produce their most extraordinary work. Life is not black and white, and work-life balance is a continual juggle. When you normalize remote working, you normalize quality living and quality working conditions.
If you’re scared to implement a remote working model because of costs, get creative and find ways to move money around, or you will get left behind. Employees are owning their careers at escalating levels. We realize that we also deserve to receive just as much as we give to our employers. Our self-worth is trending upwards, which is a positive. For so long, people have worked their asses off for not much in return.
It’s time to make the employee-employer relationship mutually beneficial.
When I first started my career, I knew that I didn’t need to be in the office every day. Remote working was the future — it always was. Today, remote working is now. It just took a pandemic to open the eyes of many.
All of us that wanted to work remotely before the pandemic, we didn’t ask for this so we could be unproductive at home, watch Netflix all day, and skip out on work; we asked because remote working is a more intelligent way of working. Let’s work smarter, not harder.
Thank you for taking the time to #elevate your life with this quick read. Grab your free books here — Destiny S. Harris ‘ Free AmazonBook Page. Wanna keep in touch online? Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, or my Website.