Working from home may have been a dream at one point, but it is now associated with the anxiety of not knowing when workers will see their colleagues again.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, remote working was on a steady rise, having more than doubled since 2005 to 4.7 million workers in the U.S. Despite this way of working being highly sought after by much of the workforce, if it is not executed correctly, it can cause more damage.
Some of the big selling points of remote working are reduced commute times and a better work-life balance. On the other hand, some say that it causes workers to lose social interaction and a sense of community, which can hinder productivity.
According to a research of 50 digital nomads conducted by Dave Cook, a PhD Researcher in Anthropology at UCL, remote working became too isolating for over 25% of participants after the initial honeymoon period.
Some turned to coworking spaces to gain a sense of community and to simply be around other workers, which can help boost motivation and productivity.
Unfortunately, with the circumstances of today’s world, coworking spaces may not be an option for several people for a while.
Still, there are ways to create a productive workspace at home. Creating deadlines, setting up daily rituals, staying in touch with colleagues through Slack and establishing work boundaries are essential to making the most out of enforced remote working.
