Over the past year, many professionals were required to shift to remote work due to the pandemic. This has forced businesses to alter their standard procedures and employees to adapt how they execute their workflow. Working remotely undoubtedly has some advantages – like no commute – there are also a host of disadvantages. These are the 7 biggest disadvantages of working remotely and how a shared office space can help. 

Lack of Social Interaction

This is often at the top of the list for remote employees and for good reason. Social interaction actually triggers neurotransmitters in our brains that help regulate stress and anxiety. If employees are exclusively working remotely, they start to crave these connections. Shared office spaces allow employees to engage with each other as well as maintain the flexibility of a remote schedule.

Communication Gaps

Although technology provides a myriad of ways to stay connected, employees continue to experience communication gaps. 30% of remote workers say they are not receiving critical information and 43% say they have been excluded from meetings. This is greatly reduced when employees work in the same office space. When working from the same location, it’s much simpler to ask a question or ensure everyone is included in a meeting.

Difficulties with Motivation

When working from home, employees can find it difficult to remain motivated. Feelings of disconnection and unclear work expectations result in employees feeling overwhelmed. Others have a hard time finding motivation without teammates or feedback. Providing an office space for remote employees can help boost motivation.

Lack of Office Equipment

Many remote workers don’t have the luxury of a dedicated home office space with all the necessary equipment to execute their jobs. This can range from printers to reliable WiFi, to simply having a comfortable desk to work from. In contrast, employees work more efficiently when supplied with dependable office equipment.

Frequent Distractions

Around the house, there is always something that needs to be done. Whether it’s the dishes, laundry or even simple repairs, it can be easy to be distracted when working from home. Giving employees the ability to escape from these distractions and focus on work encourages productivity.

Burnout

Employee burnout has skyrocketed since the massive shift to remote work. Previously viewed as a perk, employees have begun to perceive full-time remote work as being “trapped at home”. It’s challenging to separate your home life from work and the result is the feeling of a never-ending workday. Alternately, when people have office space to work from, work and home boundaries are more defined and occasional remote work feels like more of a benefit.

Difficulties Collaborating

Teams have increasingly had to rely on video meetings for brainstorming and collaborative efforts. While these will work when necessary, they are nowhere near as effective as in-person collaboration. Communication is more open, and when people are around each other, it’s easier to get creative juices flowing. It is also a much more proficient use of time to brainstorm in person than on a video call.

e|spaces is the ideal solution for businesses experiencing the disadvantages of remote work. We have conference rooms available for team meetings and brainstorms, coworking space and a variety of dedicated office sizes. Secure WiFi, free parking, refreshments, IT support and location manager assistance are some of the added benefits of choosing e|spaces for your coworking space. Visit our website to find a location near you.