The Modern Work From Home: A Normative Critique
By: Ar. Arvill G. Villamor, UAP
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, work from home was just like a trend in some countries that they introduce to its employees. Nowadays, it has become the so-called new normal. But what are really the benefits of working from home? Does it really result in a better work-life balance? Does it really improve once productivity?
The coronavirus pandemic continues to escalate in many countries, and the differences are making the picture difficult, but in some parts of the world, including the Philippines, people are yearning for a return to normal life – everywhere outside the office. After more than a year at home, some employees are determined to return to their workplace with their colleagues. Many others are not so determined, they even quit their jobs to avoid going back. Somewhere between their bedrooms and kitchens, they have developed new models to measure the health of the work they do not hope to give up.
One benefit that has brought me the best in working from home is the more time I have with my family. Those tea breaks and lunch breaks became more interesting and fun spending it more with my kids and love ones. Working remotely doesn’t just offer more options where you work – there are more options for how you work. You do not have to listen to a background conversation, hold arctic air conditioning, or have a cup of hot coffee in the office. You are in control of your work environment. Remote performance is inextricably linked to dynamic performance. Even if people do not have additional options for the hours they work, the lack of commute to work brings them extra hours. This flexibility is especially appealing to Millennials
In fact, working away from flexible work is not the same thing, but working away often offers more options when doing your job. So, if you need to take a break to watch your child’s school game or fix your car, it can be very easy.
Without dealing with mobility, office politics, and a lack of flexibility, life can be much easier.
Working remotely doesn’t just offer more options where you work – there are more options for how you work. You do not have to listen to a background conversation, hold arctic air conditioning, or have a cup of hot coffee in the office. You are in control of your work environment.
Being a Team leader in Casia-Robinson, helped me more to manage the team with the help of task managing websites, as well as conference call software, working remotely does not really affect the performance on checking everything and making sure to provide the best quality output and deliver it on time. It can be difficult to connect when you are not in the same room with your partner and you can meet face to face. Geographical segregation also means that remote workers can quickly feel left out of what is happening in their organization.
Breaking down these barriers is where communication tools come into play. Active video calling and conferences, instant messaging, and group chat give people a choice of communication methods – not all of them are formal and pre-arranged. Communication can be as realistic as it would be if everyone were not away from the desk.
Work from home is the new normal and people had already adapted to its concept. Its safer, making employees have a better work-life balance, more productivity with the employees, and better creative outputs.
Working remotely can be a more productive workplace than a regular office cubicle that improves the working life balance depending on your setting. The current epidemic has changed the way we operate, and many companies are turning to home-based solutions.
Make sure your employees are comfortable, organized, and healthy to ensure that their production stays at company level for months to come.
