Remote working in 2022; A look at what’s in store
In just a few short weeks, I, along with millions of others around the world, will complete two years of working from home. So What’s in store for remote working in 2022?
Remote working during the pandemic
During this year, we kept returning to covering different aspects of WFH. We discussed how to keep your boundaries between private and professional from slipping. We shared tips on how to tackle working from home. Yet, despite our best hopes for change, we are about to move into 2022 with many of us still working from home.
Now, is remote working completely horrible?
No, of course not. There are some good sides to it. Like the flexibility of your working hours, cutting back on time you spend on the commute, etc.
But it’s not a 100 per cent pleasant experience either. When you work from home, you are cut off from your colleagues. That sense of team spirit and the chance to truly work together is not present when you work remotely. And let’s be honest, the temptation to slack off is also far higher since there are no bosses around to keep an eye on you.
From a company perspective also, there are positives and negatives to consider. With employees working from home, companies do not have to maintain offices. Not paying rent can help the budget, of course. But I also know of several small businesses that moved to smaller accommodations as a result.
What do companies think about remote working in 2022?
According to a global employee survey Statista conducted, 80 per cent of the respondents would recommend at least partially working remotely. But is this a sentiment their employers share?
In an article published in September 2021, BBC revealed that 72 per cent of managers overlooking their WFH subordinates in the US would prefer everyone coming back to the office. It’s not an opinion limited to the US alone, however. The article goes on to discuss how managers and others holding a supervisory position is increasingly speaking in favour of returning to the office.
From an employee’s perspective, it may seem like a desire to maintain control. After all, it is clear that productivity does not have to suffer regardless of where you happen to work from. But from a manager’s perspective, the case is different. After two years of working from home, an employee can feel that the employer is rushing to get everyone back to the office. And that can feel like your employer trying to go back to micromanaging you.
But when you share an office, it is easier for a manager to observe an employee’s performance. In which case, they can easily identify when a colleague is struggling and offer the necessary support.
What to expect in 2022?
So with the new year just a few short days away, what’s in store for remote working in 2022? What kind of challenges are still left for employers and employees to figure out?
Trust between employer and employee
WFH gives more freedom and flexibility to employees. And most people are happy with this and eager to show that their productivity remains stable despite the independence and lack of supervision. However, for companies, this could be a management nightmare. How can companies be sure that their employees are staying on top of their tasks when they work from home?
Some managers are willing to only contact their subordinates occasionally and receive progress reports. They trust their employees to keep them up to date and to remain productive. However, other managers unintentionally become micromanaging in their efforts to ensure productivity. Organisations have to figure out a balance between trust and direction as they move forwards with remote working in 2022.
Recognising exceptional employees
When you are all working at an office, it is easy to recognise hard workers. You can see it. While an employee’s productivity does not have to take a hit when they WFH, it is hard to recognise that when everyone spends all their time online.
Rather than look at how many hours they spend working online, managers have to pay closer attention to the performance output of the employees. When everyone works in isolation, it is easy for ‘good’ employees to go unnoticed. It can then lead to affecting their career growth.
Higher or lesser salary
In the past two years, many of us had to take pay cuts. However, with remote working still being an ongoing part of life, companies have to figure out the question of salary.
There are several factors that can affect how much a company pays you as a salary, such as the cost of living, etc. Due to remote working, some daily expenses such as money for the commute are no longer necessary. So some argue that a reduction in salary is more than reasonable.
However, remote working also means a reduction in costs such a utility and rental fees for companies. On the other hand, employees’ utility bills naturally go up while they work from home. So there are some who argue that an increase in salary is necessary.
Some people are willing to take a small salary reduction if it means they can work without going to an office. Yet, providing them with the same pre-pandemic salary is easier for a company.
Work-life balance
Even two years into WFH, finding a balance between work and daily life can be a struggle when you work remotely. When you work at the same place where you live, the lines get blurry. Thanks to technology, your company can always reach out to you no matter where you are. While it does help during working hours, this always-on culture may prevent you from truly relaxing in the comforts of your home.
That is why it is important to create boundaries when you work remotely. Unlike before, you cannot leave work behind once you clock out for the day. So make sure to find things around the house that you can enjoy without associating them with work.
