Julie Bowditch is the advancement officer for community fundraising at UMass Medical School in Worcester. Reach her at julie.bowditch@umassmed.edu.
April 14, 2020
The pros and cons of teleworking COVID-19 made us all realize
By Julie Bowditch
In the year 2020, working from home (or WFH, as I recently learned is a widely utilized acronym) is hardly a new concept. Yet, we have encountered an unprecedented time when many who did not have the option to telecommute previously are now mandated to partake. This experience has elicited an array of reactions and results across the nation and the globe.
This experiment, forced by the current state of COVID-19 pandemic, is hardly a fair baseline for a largely virtual workplace. For one thing, many companies did not have time to prepare as they would have liked and swiftly sent their employees home with little more than a laptop and a Zoom account. In addition, with schools and daycares being wholly inaccessible for most, caregivers find themselves in a constant tug-of-war between managing their families and their workloads. Add into the mix the stress elicited by the unpredictable that many are barely holding at bay. These factors – on their own, but especially in unison – do not paint a picture of maximum productivity.
It is worth noting, this experience is vastly different depending on the industry in question.
Cons:
Blurred boundaries: Even for those who already had the option to work remotely, creating limitations around work time and personal time are a prevalent challenge. When days and even time begin to run together, it is more important than ever to create a schedule in which you have windows of time to focus entirely on one or the other. Easier said than done.
Limited human interaction: While some introverts might say this should land in the pros category, a lack of interface with colleagues poses challenges many are not accustomed to. Calling over a cubicle wall or popping into an adjacent office for a quick collaboration is now replaced by needing to schedule a time to talk. Virtual chats are stretching our communication skills in ways many of us were not accustomed to.
Physical workspace challenges: Unless you were previously set up to do some or all of your work from a home office, it's highly likely your space is not entirely ergonomic. Kitchen counters, dining room tables, and even coffee tables everywhere have been converted into temporary workstations. The hindrance on our output pales in comparison to the damage rendered on our posture!
Increased screen time: Various studies over the years have shown the time we spend engaging with technology can produce negative impacts on our brain functions, dopamine levels, sedentary behavior, sleep patterns and vision. With our work relying on screens now more than ever, these are effects bearing some consideration as we proceed.
Constant change: Even the nimblest among us would admit the influx of recent information in relation to COVID-19 is overwhelming. As a result, some industries are changing their policies, procedures and regulations on a frequent basis. Navigating these constant changes is exhausting and frustrating for many.
Psychological impacts: We have already eluded to loneliness, uncertainty and the anxiety current circumstances can foster. Whether mourning a canceled or postponed life event, missing family and friends profoundly, or just combatting the waves of crushing fear this pandemic can bring, these feelings can take a major toll on our ability to focus on any task. The effects are not only exacerbated in those with pre-existing mental health conditions, but even a previously stable person can experience trauma symptoms long past the time that social isolation ends. These impacts would certainly influence our ability to perform as professionals in any setting.
Inadequate training: While many are undoubtedly leaning more heavily than ever before on technology, in many instances the expected use of new platforms or software has come without comprehensive training. This leaves many wasting valuable work time trying to negotiate this learning curve.
Novel distractions: Your new co-workers might not be as respectful of your attention as you might like. Partners, children, pets and other housemates have their own priorities and agendas not coexisting naturally with concentrating on work projects. Even if your external distractions are minimal, the allure of household projects or your latest Netflix binge takes some degree of discipline to resist. The impact of additional childcare, including modified homeschooling, and housework responsibilities disproportionately impacts women while both genders attempt to maintain their prior workloads.
Pros:
Receiving a paycheck: The notion of having the option to work remotely during this time suggests you are still gainfully employed. For many, that point alone is a source of much envy and cannot be understated as a benefit to a number of employees and organizations.
Sterile surroundings: Telework gives the advantage of being able to flatten the curve in the purest sense. Many essential workers do not have the luxury of remaining in a safe and hygienic setting.
Controlled environment: Those who previously had constant complaints of their office being too hot, cold, or raucous, can no longer blame their employer for those disruptions to their workday. Within reason, remote work comes with a certain element of control over these types of external stimuli.
Increased empathy: Knowing we are all being challenged in numerous ways elicits a level of patience, compassion, and kindness where it may not have previously been shown. Simply offering that extra check-in with your colleagues and customers can go a long way.
Reduced commute: The average one-way commute in our country was 26.1 minutes according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Assuming 56% of the workforce could potentially telecommute, according to Global Workplace Analytics (including the 7% previously taking advantage of that option, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) – and is now required to do so – that would indicate American workers are currently reclaiming almost 230,000 commuter hours each week. (Some are mourning the absence of their commute, however, if not the hit on their gas or subway budget. This time can be used to mentally prepare for the day or allot some quiet time to listen to a latest Audible or Spotify selection.)
Embracing technology: Likely we all know someone who has been resisting the rise of technology ever since the flip-phone phased out. For those people especially, but likely in some ways for us all, learning new technology has become mandatory rather than optional. Many of these new skills can enable us to be more efficient long after we resume our previous work routines.
Thinking outside the box: Without the option of in-person meetings, it is necessary to get creative with ways to interact with clients, subordinates, and managers alike. This pushes us to think about how others communicate best, and how to bridge the distance between us virtually.
Flexibility: For many, the usual 9 to 5 has taken on a new form in recent weeks. One benefit of telework is the ability to shift time spent logged-in to accommodate other aspects of life. In some cases, this is influenced by increased childcare demands, while for others it just means beginning the workday at an earlier or later time depending on personal preference.
Attire: Lest we overlook perhaps the greatest improvement the home office permits: alleviations from the customary dress code. Even the most robust Zoom call generally does not require anything causing even marginal discomfort from the waist down. Kick off those heels (or dress shoes), because we may be home for a while!
An important takeaway from this exercise is recognizing many factors can widely impact each individual professional’s remote experience. Access to technology and internet, home and family dynamic, physical space, and personal social inclinations are just some of these factors. While some workers will report an increase in productivity due to optimal environments and an influx of projects, others will note a marked decrease either in workflow, output, or both for various reasons.
The option to work from home, while clearly not always ideal, is one we should face with as much resilience and gratitude as we can muster. Many jobs, by nature, are impossible to do from the comfort (or discomfort, as it were) of home. A large subset of essential employees who are potentially being exposed to the virus daily to keep society functioning would gladly embrace the list of cons to know they are able to limit exposure for themselves and those they love.
We all look forward eagerly to a day when COVID-19 no longer governs our everyday lives. Until then, we will continue to find our way through it together.
Julie Bowditch is the advancement officer for community fundraising at UMass Medical School in Worcester. Reach her at julie.bowditch@umassmed.edu.
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