Work From Home Archives

The Dark Side of Remote Work

Who doesn’t want to work in their comfort clothes, sip coffee from their favourite mug, and take breaks to relax in a library or a cosy cafe? Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a dream and considered a luxury option for employees, but today, it has become a global practice. While it initially appeared as a comfortable way of working, as it offers flexibility and freedom, a closer look reveals the dark aspects that often loiter beneath the surface.

Antisocial Behavior

By nature, most humans are social animals, of course, except for a few antisocials. One of the most significant drawbacks of working remotely is the isolation it can impose on individuals. Working in solitude for extended periods can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection. Without the fellowship of colleagues or impromptu chats, employees may begin to feel cut off from the social fabric of the workplace, leading to bad mental health, depression and anxiety.

The Never-ending Day

Work-life balance is a key to living a good life as it offers you the freedom to decorate work hours and personal time. When you work from home or somewhere outside the office space, the boundary between work and personal life becomes blurred, leading to a relentless workday that seems to never end. Remote workers often find it challenging to unplug, leading to burnout. The expectation of being available around the clock can make it challenging to disconnect and recharge.

Lack of Structure and Tech Fatigue

Remote work offers flexibility, but it definitely lacks the structure of a traditional office, which can be a double-edged sword. Without a clear routine, some individuals struggle with time management, productivity, and accountability. Screen time plays a major role while you work remotely, leading to health issues, including eye strain, headaches, and poor posture. Moreover, excessive screen time can also contribute to feelings of fatigue and burnout.

Security Concerns: The Vulnerable Workspace

Remote work introduces a slew of security concerns for both employees and employers. Cybersecurity threats have increased as remote workers connect to corporate networks from potentially unsecured locations. Personal devices used for work can become risky openings for data breaches, putting sensitive information at risk.

Loss of Creativity

The casual interactions and spontaneous conversations that occur in a physical office often lead to creative breakthroughs and innovative ideas. Remote work comes with a structure and digital communication tools, which can stifle serendipity and put a limit on opportunities for collaboration and creativity.

Remote work is undoubtedly a transformative force that has reshaped the way we work and live. However, as we bask in the glow of its benefits, it’s crucial to acknowledge the shadows it casts. To maximise the benefits of remote work while mitigating its negative consequences, individuals and employers must remain proactive in addressing these issues. Only then can we hope to create a remote work environment that truly fosters well-being, productivity, and equality for all.

The benefits and drawbacks of remote work and its impact on work-life balance

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the trend of remote work, and over the last couple of years, it has become an increasingly popular option for employees as many companies adopted remote work as a permanent option. While there are certainly benefits to remote work, there are also drawbacks to consider, especially when it comes to work-life balance. Let’s have a quick look at them.

Benefits of Remote Work

Flexibility:

Who doesn’t like to have 2 more hours to sleep and the luxury of home comfort? One of the biggest benefits of remote work is flexibility, where employees can often work on their own schedule, which can help them balance work and personal responsibilities. For example, a parent may be able to work during their child’s nap time or after they’ve gone to bed.

Increased productivity:

Remote workers are often more productive than those who work in traditional office settings due to a variety of factors, such as fewer distractions, interruptions and the ability to work in a more comfortable environment. The employees who work from home also reported fewer sick days and less time off, which can help companies increase their overall productivity.

Cost savings:

When you work remotely, you save a lot of money, along with a few hours. Without the need to commute to the office, employees can save money on transportation costs. Remote workers also save money on meals, as they can prepare their meals at home instead of buying food from restaurants or cafes. In the case of employers, remote work can lead to cost savings on office space, utilities, and other expenses.

Improved work-life balance:

Remote work enables employees to better manage their personal and professional lives. Without the need to commute, employees can save time and energy, which they can use to engage in other activities that are important to them, such as spending time with family and friends, exercising, or pursuing hobbies.

Improved employee retention

Remote work can also lead to improved employee retention. According to several studies, remote workers are 13% more likely to stay in their current job for the next five years compared to office-based workers. Remote work provides employees with the flexibility and autonomy they need to achieve their personal and professional goals, which can lead to higher job satisfaction and employee retention.

Drawbacks of Remote Work

Remote employee working at home office. Man sits at computer desk at sea resort window view.

Lack of Face-to-Face Interaction

The biggest drawback of remote work is the lack of face-to-face interaction. When employees work remotely, they don’t have the opportunity to interact with their colleagues in person, which can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. It can negatively impact mental health and productivity, as employees may feel disconnected from their team and the company as a whole.

Difficulty with Collaboration and Communication

Remote work can also make collaboration and communication more difficult. When employees work in the same physical space, they can easily communicate with each other and collaborate on projects in real-time. However, while working remotely, communication can be delayed, and collaboration can be more challenging, which can lead to miscommunication and delays in project completion.

Potential for Distractions

When in the office, employees have HRs on their heads to be productive, but in the case of working from home, employees lead to distractions that can negatively impact productivity. Employees may be tempted to do household chores, take care of children, or spend time on social media, which can distract them from their work, leading to missed deadlines and lower-quality work.

Lack of Boundaries Between Work and Home Life

Remote work can also blur the boundaries between work and home life. When employees work from home, it can be challenging to separate their work and personal life, which can lead to burnout and decreased job satisfaction. Additionally, without clear boundaries, employees may feel like they are working all the time, leading to increased stress and anxiety.

Potential for Technology Issues

Finally, remote work can also lead to technical issues that can negatively impact productivity. When employees work remotely, they rely heavily on technology to stay connected with their team and complete their work. However, technical issues such as poor internet connection, software glitches, or hardware malfunctions can cause significant delays and frustration.

Impact on Work-Life Balance

Remote work can have both positive and negative effects on work-life balance. On the one hand, it can provide more flexibility and control over work schedules, leading to less stress and burnout. At the same time, it can also lead to blurred boundaries between work and personal life, leading to burnout and a negative impact on mental health. Employees need to set clear boundaries between work and personal life to achieve a healthy work-life balance while working remotely.

The list includes creating a designated workspace, setting specific work hours, and taking regular breaks throughout the day. It’s also important for employers to support their remote workers by providing resources and tools to help them manage their workload and maintain their mental health.

Overall, remote work has its benefits and drawbacks, and its impact on work-life balance can vary depending on the individual. While it can provide flexibility and cost savings, it can also lead to isolation and blurred boundaries between work and personal life.

How To Boost Your Home Office Productivity?

Working from the comfort of our homes has its perks like we don’t have to commute daily, and we can wear pyjamas or boxer shorts even during a zoom meeting. Still, after a certain period, it all started looking like a monotonous century-old pattern, and we felt infirmity between the four walls, which eventually led us to unhappy work life.

Earlier, before the pandemic, when things affected our creativity and productivity, we always used to go out for a short vacation, but it’s not a viable option during current times. So, to get rid of the negativity, we must have to look for the solution within our beloved homes and for that matter, here are a few tips on how to boost your home office productivity.

Office Space

What’s the first thing you do when you sit down to start work? If it’s checking email, then congrats, you’ve entered a graduation phase of working from home, but if it’s YouTube or other social media sites, then you need to get back on track soon. A dedicated work area will always help you activate your work mode. Start with decluttering and keep your desk organised as well as clean; these little efforts will help you improve your concentration and productivity. Also, set some boundaries to keep yourself away from distractions and create a dedicated schedule to stay more focused during office hours.

Start Early

Wake up early and seize the day before it seizes you; the quote looks nice for our Instagram post but fails when it comes to applying it in our lives, but we can always give it a try. Nowadays, zero commuting ultimately adds a few more hours in life, but we spent those hours watching movies and stuff during the night, resulting in keeping those curtains closed till we receive the zoom check-in. Sleeping till late will harm your well-being and then your performance. So, why not wake up early and start the work as early as possible, don’t you want to spend a little time on your other skills?

Lighting

Light travels faster than anything and plays a significant role in every kind of work; whether you’re on a movie set or working from home, a well-positioned light will never disappoint you. The first step to turning back to your productivity is creating a positive atmosphere around you with better lighting, as it makes a huge difference to your productivity and quality of life. When it comes to choosing a source of light, always go for a natural source as it is more beneficial for you. According to a few studies, exposure to sunlight directly affects your mental health and helps you be more productive.

Appropriate Technology

Technology is one of the best aspects of work from home culture, but only if you use it as a wise guy. Set your home office like a professional, install all the necessary tools you need to give it a more commercial office look. Here, we’re not talking about 15-feet glass windows or a piece of cubicle furniture. With appropriate technology, we’re trying to convince you to install a Wi-Fi router close to your home office desk, invest in quality headphones to avoid tussles during a zoom meeting, and put all the necessary apps on a taskbar to make them handy.

Colors & Decor

The work from home culture turned us into lazy fellows, and we even started withdrawing the basic required things to create positive vibes, but we still have time to make the most out of the situation. Start from the wall colour and decor, choose a colour palette or theme that will make you feel good and set a few soothing, peaceful paintings or art frames on it. Also, add an air purifier and some scented candles to your cart, it will help you get pure fresh air and improve your quality of life along with productivity. Shop a little, as it’s worth spending a small amount for creating a nice vibe.

Indoor Plant

A little greenery around your desk will help you reduce stress and sickness and make your home office space more attractive. A little indoor plant will liven up your workspace, helping you increase your attention span and improve your creativity and productivity. According to a few studies, plants have psychological effects, and they help us stabilise our mood, lower our blood pressure, enhance our sleep and mental health. Along with a plant, you can even get an office pet, but only if you’re comfortable working around them and sincere enough to take care of them. Start small with a goldfish or budgie or even a baby turtle.

Small Breaks

One can not concentrate for a straight 8 or 9 hours; we all have our limitations, and sitting for long hours is not even advisable by experts as it leads to having pain in several body parts. If you want to boost your productivity and stay healthy at the same time, then don’t forget to take a 5-10 minute break after every one or two hours. Use your break time to walk a little around your house and stretch your muscles with some exercises. Meditation and a light session of Yoga before work will help you stay focused. Also, make sure you have easy access to snacks and drinks during a busy workday; an empty stomach will make you slow, leading you towards distractions.

All of the above hacks will take care of most of your home office productivity if you dedicate yourself to them, but during the journey, don’t force these guidelines on yourself. In the end, what matters most is your happiness and health. So, make sure you’re keeping yourself happy, active, motivated, and a little relaxed while following your home office schedule.

Work From Home | A Smart Desk That Makes It Worth

Working all day behind an office desk may is one of the considerable factors for long term negative effects on health – as studies have shown, 83% of US employees suffer from work-related stress and while 49% of all British workers have bad backs. The abrupt transition to work from home to prevent the spread of COVID-19 worldwide, the problem seems to become even more serious. Our homes are usually not equipped with ergonomic office furniture, which means accelerating the onset of musculoskeletal problems ranging from neck, shoulder, back problems, to hand-wrist problems, to leg problems, all because of working in poor postures.

The good news, however, is that furniture and gadgets are getting smarter. The new Ait Smart Desks promise anyone working beside a desk to become healthier, more productive, and less stressed. A couple of months ago, in a time when we could read news stories unrelated to the pandemic, a creepy creature shook the public globally – Emma, a model of the office worker from the future.

She has thick varicose veins from spending so much of the day sitting down, a permanently hunched back, and red eyes from leaning forward and staring at the screen. While these changes in the appearance of the future’s office worker may seem funny and scary at the same time, the symptoms of permanent civilization diseases are amply represented.

The stakes are high because our lifestyle today could lead to severe diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disorders. At the same time, obesity and depression also threaten us. Besides the personal aspects, this is also a common problem: work-related stress causes 120,000 deaths in a year. It results in $190 billion in healthcare costs yearly in the US only. The question is simple and yet very important.

It is painfully easy to see that we need to change the way we do our everyday work. Otherwise, our home offices are going to make us very sick. The way to pursue this is also straightforward: to be able to compensate for the effects of our sedentary lifestyle, not being able to leave our homes we have to at least stand up more. Standing for half a workday has been found to reduce blood pressure, improve circulation and increase productivity by 43 per cent. While there are different types of smart furniture available on the market, a new one is in line, that incorporates all functions to keep you healthy in one single desk. Smarter furniture, healthier worker.

A group of engineers from Budapest – led by Dr Tamás Marczali – put two-years of research and hard work into creating the next generation of smart desks. At the beginning of 2020, it became a reality based on their very own experiences and preferences. Ait Smart Desks monitor the time you spend sitting behind them and tells you when it is time to get up from your chair and continue working in a standing position. It also provides personalized exercise programs to help you keep fit without having to interrupt your urgent tasks. To keep you fresh all day, it notifies you in case the room’s air quality deteriorates and needs to be ventilated. The height of the tabletop can also be adjusted so that you can arrange conference calls and write your emails in a healthier position.

As a result, the office or home office work becomes more straightforward and more practical. But most importantly, this desk helps you live healthier and better while staying productive at your job. It is not a miracle maker though; you have to learn to use it consciously, and also pay attention to drinking enough water, eating clean and going for a 5-minute walk after each meal!

What makes all these functions work? Through a smartphone app connected to your smart desk, where you can enter your age, gender, weight, and the amount of time you spend sitting within a workday. The application then compiles several exercises that can easily be done in an office or at home near your desk. It helps you burn more calories, improve your circulation, and stay fresh to get some of the daily stress out of your system.

AiT Smart Desks has launched an Indiegogo campaign, which is already a huge success. Those who are eager to be among the first customers of the unique product do not have to wait too long to pre-order. The Indiegogo page is now live and the desks are available for order.