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The hidden costs of remote working's convenience
While seemingly paradoxical, the technologies facilitating remote work have, ironically, emerged as the primary causes behind its detrimental effects on workers.
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Good vs. bad: Remote working opens up new opportunities with better payment, but it also puts workers at risk, including experiencing loneliness due to minimal social life. (Unsplash/Helena Lopes) (Unsplash/Helena Lopes)
C
ould anyone resist the allure of turning a cozy corner at home, a nice coffee shop or a sun-kissed beach into their personal workspace?
As the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped our lives in early 2020, remote work gained popularity. While many praise its virtues of flexibility and autonomy, my experience took an unanticipated turn. What seemed like a dream turned into a psychological challenge. Phone notifications and constant meeting reminders became sources of anxiety, revealing the hidden costs of remote work.
The initial enticement became a complex psychological battle that threatened my mental well-being. This ironic twist prompts reflection on the unanticipated consequences of remote work, impacting both physical and mental health.
In light of my personal journey, I argue that adopting the fully remote work model may not consistently prioritize the well-being of individuals and may not be universally prudent for companies.
While seemingly paradoxical, the technologies facilitating remote work have, ironically, emerged as the primary causes behind its detrimental effects on workers.
Insights from the Journal of Business Research (2022) reveal that the overuse of technology for both professional and personal purposes can lead to a phenomenon known as “technostress – a distress resulting from excessive technology use.
This stress is particularly apparent in the digital realm, where individuals grapple with the demands of multiple digital tools while attempting to balance work and social commitments in a remote environment. Consequently, this struggle can result in ‘techno-exhaustion” and an overall decrease in well-being.
