Remote Work & Your Career

If you are one of the ​45 percent​ of American full-time workers who were still working remotely in late 2021 due to the pandemic, you might also be among the ​54 percent​ of those remote workers who say they'd like to keep it that way.

Remote work and its pros and cons have been hot topics among human resource professionals, business analysts, economists, government agencies, business consultants and, of course, remote employees.

In the big picture of your career path, will staying in a remote job affect your future career growth? Or has remote work proven to be a valuable part of company culture and company success in the mainstream?

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There are advantages of remote work both for you and your employer. Workers who prefer remote or hybrid work commonly cite several benefits:

• Work-life balance
• Flexible work schedule
• Less commuting time
• More productive work hours
• Better focus
• Fewer meetings
• Less stress

The Association for Psychological Science concludes that remote working increases emotional well-being, resulting in greater job satisfaction, commitment and productivity.

This isn't just theory. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a ​4.5 percent higher​ labor productivity index in the fourth quarter of 2021 than in the fourth quarter of 2019 – higher than the 1.4-percent average annual growth rate from 2007 to 2019. All while 45 percent of full-time workers were working from home.

For employers, increased worker satisfaction decreases turnover and increases employee loyalty. With collaboration and videoconferencing platforms like Zoom, Slack, Microsoft Teams and other HQ-to-home office tools, employees can work together in real-time and not feel like they are missing out on face time with co-workers.

As employers iron out their long-term plans for telecommuting and remote work, they may start to see other savings as well. As on-site workspaces become less needed, companies can save on real estate and additional overhead costs. Remote companies can also draw from a wider talent pool when the workplace is equipped to successfully onboard and support remote employees.

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Remote working advantages kick in when telecommuting is a valued part of the business. Workers and employers need to be mindful of respecting boundaries, maintaining the human connection and keeping communication skills sharp.

The pros of remote work can quickly become cons if boundaries aren't respected. Work-life balance can degrade, productivity can decrease and stress can kick up.

For companies, embracing remote work as part of company culture requires rethinking the workplace and management skills.

According to McKinsey & Company, "avoiding the pitfalls of remote working requires thinking carefully about leadership and management in a hybrid virtual world."

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With collaboration and videoconferencing platforms like Zoom, Slack, Microsoft Teams and other HQ-to-home office tools, employees can work together in real-time and not feel like they are missing out on face time with co-workers.

Remote work isn't just for introverts. Freelancers, office workers, designers, engineers and tech company staff are just a few roles that function efficiently from a home office or hybrid work environment. Just look at the increased number of remote opportunities on LinkedIn's job boards. They increased by a whopping ​357 percent​ in 2021.

As the number of industries expands and more remote companies emerge, there is no reason for remote work to affect your career development negatively.

While "out of sight, out of mind" is an adage many remote workers may fear, you don't have to be either of those things. Don't let your engagement with the job stop at video calls. Harvard Business Review recommends staying connected, making sure your work is visible, getting involved in your organization, contributing, making improvements, preparing for meetings and soliciting feedback.

In other words, do everything a solid employee does on-site. Be engaged, show leadership potential, be collaborative and take initiative. As a remote worker, you also have the opportunity to show your flexibility and your ability to pivot, learn and adapt.

Think about planning your career development with a career coach or mentor. Prepare, plan and advocate for yourself whether you are entering the job search post-remote or bolstering yourself for a new remote job in your current company.

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