Common Myths About Remote Work
Remote work is often misunderstood – both by people who have tried it and by people who haven’t. Unfortunately, myths and assumptions can color companies’ perceptions of remote work, leaving countless workers stuck in an office when they don’t want to be.
We’re not knocking on-site work by any means – to each their own! But we would like to clear up some of the top myths about remote work.
Common Myths
People Who Work Remotely Don’t Really Work All Day
This is a particularly common assumption: that if supervisors can’t see their employees, the employees won’t really be working. And does this happen sometimes? Sure. But we all know that there are people who go to their workplace every day yet find ways to rarely do work too. The reality is that some people work harder than others, and whether they’re working from home or working on-site, that won’t change.
Working from Home is Lonely
Remote work is all about flexibility. Are you an introvert who would love to hole up at home and do your work with zero social interaction? You can do that. Are you someone who loves a little over-the-laptop chatter while you work? You can do that too.
If you’re craving more social energy while you work, a coworking meetup like Ladies Work Remote can be the perfect way to network, engage your social butterfly, and get some work done at the same time. Or, if you’re the type who just wants to be people-adjacent (there are people around but you aren’t actively interacting with them), remote work gives you the freedom to work at a coffee shop, park, library, or other scene.
Very Few Jobs Can Be Fully Done Remotely
This is one of those myths that was suddenly disproven when the COVID-19 shutdowns started. Many people were amazed how many positions, industries, and roles were able to be switched to fully remote while barely missing a beat.
Remote Work Stifles Collaboration
This is another biggie. There’s a common belief that people don’t collaborate when they work remotely and as a result, they’re less creative. There are a few things wrong with that assumption.
First, there are plenty of ways to collaborate remotely – there are more digital communication channels than we can count. Might it take a bit more effort than just shouting to your co-worker’s desk? Possibly, but it can absolutely be done.
Second, collaboration isn’t the only way to drive creativity. In fact, many people are more creative when they work remotely because they can work in whatever environment sparks their creativity.
Getting to Know the Real Remote Work
Remote work is something that needs to be approached with an open mind. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, of course, but we encourage everyone to be observant and receptive and to let their experiences guide their opinions rather than the other way around.
If you’re working remotely and you’d like to get to know other members of the WFH community, check us out! Find a Ladies Work Remote meetup near you today.