Navigating the Downsides of Starting Your Career with a Remote Job

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Remote and hybrid jobs seem to be all the rage nowadays. The want and need for greater fulfilment in life through work-life balance is not an old idea but is a concept that has finally gained some traction in the post-covid economy.

Even before the entire world was shut down for almost two years, the commonality of disinterest, boredom, lack of satisfaction in life or just all out hatred of one's job was familiar. Whether it was entire industries like food services, teachers in education, or burnout in medical professionals, many people have begun to rethink their view of work. This motivated a reconsideration of traditional work-life balance. Now employees are advocating for a new standard of freedom and flexibility with just compensation for a job well done.

The preface to the emergence of newer ideas, more options, and greater flexibility in the workplace was, arguably, jolted into existence during what has been coined as “the great resignation”.

Leaving in Droves

In December of 2021, as a result of the chaotic combination of factors all stirred up by the effects of COVID strains health concerns frightening the nation, doors to businesses like schools and nurseries closing, tightened public safety measures, and the stress of families just trying to cope with all the changes, nearly 4 million people left their jobs. While many of those reasons for the great resignation were finally pushed over the edge by COVID’s disruption of the economy, there were many factors which had long been bubbling beneath the surface of the American workforce.

An article by the Pew Research Center released in March of 2022 laid out a list of primary ethical data factors for workers finally deciding to leave their jobs. There were a range of reasons, but none of which were unreasonable.

The most prominent reasons people cited leaving their jobs (at 37%) was that wages were too low, and the related feeling that there were no opportunities for advancement in the workplace (33%). Then, in the benefits category, 24% left because of childcare reasons (having children under 18 in the home), the benefits were not good enough 23%, or the available working hours were too many or too few (20% and 16%). Those were just a few of the collective thoughts of the American workforce during that time.

As a result of the great resignation— and the other host of stresses caused by COVID restrictions— employers were forced to scramble and rethink the way they do business. In order to keep and attract new, reliable talent, new positions, job types, and benefit packages had to be instituted. It didn't take long, because employers were desperate enough to listen and make changes. One of the most common and accepted ideas born from the revelation of workforce ideals was the ability to work a hybrid or remote job.

At this point, between the available technological advancements, the normalcy and familiarity with digital conferencing, and the comfortability with remote style jobs, remote jobs are pretty easy to find. For the right person, this type of job is ideal and supportive of their career and lifestyle goals. However, this type of position is not for everyone, and sometimes people need time to learn that.

Those who are new to the workforce may not have enough knowledge, experience, and business awareness to know if it’s a good fit.

Here are some potential downsides to navigate for those starting off their career in a remote job.

Potential Downsides of Remote Work

1. Less Community

Part of the wonderful, rewarding side of maintaining an in-office job is the opportunity to meet new people. Workplaces nowadays are full of people from different backgrounds and demographics. Not only are there plenty of things to learn by working with other people, but it’s a fun way to make new friends. In doing so, the emotional support and release that can come from sharing the burden of big assignments, last minute deadlines, or just feeling stuck can be that much more tolerable.

When working alone, at home, it is much harder to connect when there is need and that can increase feelings of isolation. If starting out in a new industry where there is a whole list of software or hardware that needs to be learned, it can be very difficult not having that personal support.

2. Blurred Lines of the Work-Life Balance

There are certainly upsides to working from home— not having to brave traffic, getting to sleep in, and taking breaks whenever you feel like it— but that can tend to blur the lines of responsibility and necessity when needing to manage a home and personal life as well.

With a computer and work emails popping up in the next room at potentially all hours of the day or night, it can be difficult to know when and how to effectively stop working for the day. If this turns into a habit, while it may look good to employers and fellow co-workers, it can create unhealthy expectations that others will assume can be lived up to.

3. Staying Motivated

Remote jobs require plenty of self-discipline. Unless someone is a self-starter with great routines and strong discipline, it can be very easy to give into the temptation or distractions that are readily accessible in modern homes. Since there is no boss, or co-worker about to help stay motivated and on track, the pressure falls solely on the worker.

4. Communication Breakdowns

Emoji were invented for a very good reason: ideas and tone can get lost in translation when working with just text or phone calls. While video chat features and high-speed internet makes it easier to interact with co-workers in a format that, with more body language, can help with clear communication, it is no replacement for being in person.

When working with and getting to know a new team of people or important clients, it is essential to feel comfortable. Without clear communication, things can be misconstrued and lead to unintended problems. In the same way technology cannot replace teachers, there is no substitute for working in person.

This article was guest written by Andrew Deen.