Lessons Missing From The Remote Work Experience

Your first day at the office likely included meeting new coworkers, adjusting to your desk, and awkward small talk in the break room.

However, a new generation of employees have never experienced this as they entered the workforce in the midst of the pandemic.

While there are numerous benefits to remote working arrangements, could the lack of a physical office environment hinder the perspective of these younger employees?

Let’s be honest: there are a lot of qualms with the office. Long commutes, fluorescent lighting and uncomfortable office clothes are hardly missed.

Still, there are lessons to be learned in the office. Being in a physical work environment gives you a crash course in professionalism, relationship-building, time-management, empathy and communication.

While some companies have done their best to adapt the workplace experience to a virtual environment, there is still a lot that cannot be replicated.

For instance, it can be difficult to pick up on the norms and hierarchies of the office when everyone is working separately. Zoom only captures a glimpse of daily work operations, so learning workplace nuances can be harder to pick up on. 

Additionally, without seeing colleagues everyday, there tends to be a lack of compassion towards everyone’s experiences. Miscommunication is easy in a remote environment, but the office makes it simple to understand the experiences of your coworkers that much more.