Since 2020, teleworking has become increasingly popular. The benefits are many. However, after three years of experimentation and adoption, managers ask questions. The co-founder of opensourcing.com talks about his experience. Good to know: According to a number of studies, well-organized teleworking has no negative impact on employee productivity, but bosses are tempted to call their staff back home or at least on-site. For a few years now, people have been looking for a better work/life balance, and working from home was primarily set up for workers in many companies. Besides, people are also looking at well-being options such as CBD oil and CBD weed with high CBD content to help them relax after work and also enjoy the many benefits from cannabidiol products that you can find online at Justbiob. Shop
After the forced march, a complete U-turn
Teleworking has developed at great speed with the Covid crisis and the repeated confinements. Thanks to this new time balance, employees have been experimenting with a new work-life balance, eliminating the need to commute to work, for example, and gaining greater autonomy in organizing their working hours. In recent months, a change in “tone” has begun to be heard. This trend is particularly noticeable across the Atlantic. The Gafams seem to have taken a step backward on the “fully remote” they previously called for. Meta, Google, Amazon, and video conferencing giant Zoom have reportedly recalled their troops to their sites. “It’s simply impossible to have a good conversation during remote meetings.” It’s an astonishing irony. Dan Guez, co-founder of opensourcing.com, also observes this reversal of fortunes in France.
Have companies gone back to this practice?
For companies, there are many disadvantages to widespread teleworking. Several disadvantages are often mentioned to me by the company directors or managers I meet. Starting with isolation and the loss of social contact. Beyond the initial enthusiasm, the loneliness generated by working remotely has proved to be one of the first side effects of teleworking. Spontaneous interactions, informal discussions around the coffee machine, team lunches – all those little things that forge social links in the workplace – have disappeared for many teleworkers. This isolation can lead to a loss of a sense of belonging and group dynamics.
Can self-confidence and even psychological health be affected?
The physical distance between employees and managers can erode mutual trust. Stress and anxiety can mount, not only as a result of isolation but also of feeling disconnected from the decisions and life of the company. The lack of clear boundaries between professional and personal life can also lead to overwork and burnout. And let’s remember physical health problems. Muscle aches and back pain linked to an ill-adapted workstation at home are recurrent problems. Investing in ergonomic equipment is only sometimes a priority for teleworking employees, which can lead to long-term health problems.
Sleep problems and atypical working hours are often cited in the testimonials you have heard. Why is this?
An inevitable boredom can set in for teleworkers, who can feel stagnant in their professional development. The lack of a change of environment and the routine of working from home can contribute to this feeling.
Has a drop in productivity been observed
Yes, and that’s what I call the “cocooning” effect. This also has the effect of reducing the number of physical appointments with customers during teleworking days. Let’s be honest: the home, unlike the controlled environment of the office, is full of temptations and potential interruptions. The distractions are many and varied, from household chores to interruptions by family members to easy access to personal hobbies. Even the simple fact of having access to constant food or a television set can be a temptation hard to ignore. Direct supervision is necessary for productivity and efficiency to be able to handle the presence of distractions at home.
And yet, teleworking is practically a social acquis these days…
It is one for employees, who can now demand this flexibility as a condition of employment. It represents a challenge for companies that prefer to return to more traditional models. But today, we are meeting more and more employees who absolutely want teleworking days, whether they come to work on foot or live further away. Telecommuting is undoubtedly of interest to those who spend long hours commuting. It meets a need to rationalize time and reduce the carbon footprint of business travel. Besides, bosses are experimenting with various methods to enrich the office experience. These are experiments that have only been tried out by people I know, but I need more hindsight to measure the effectiveness of these initiatives. Some offices are transforming themselves to offer services that add considerable value to employees’ working days. These services can include crèche facilities for parents, relaxation and meditation areas, sports halls, healthy and gourmet catering services, and even concierge services to take care of employees’ day-to-day tasks. Office spaces are redesigned to be more welcoming and inspiring. Collaboration zones, green spaces, rest areas, and flexible offices are designed to stimulate creativity and productivity while offering an experience that working from home cannot replicate. Music classes and other cultural initiatives are sometimes introduced to enrich the employee experience. These creative activities develop new skills and strengthen bonds between colleagues through shared passions.
