Mother using digital tablet for working from home. Father using laptop with son at table. They are sitting in kitchen.

What Are the Challenges of Working Remotely

As more and more companies adopt remote work policies, it’s important to understand the challenges that come with them. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most common challenges of working remotely and offer tips on overcoming them.

The challenges of working remotely

Several challenges come with working remotely.

Time

One of the biggest challenges is managing projects when your team is spread out. This can be not easy because you have to communicate effectively and manage everyone’s time efficiently. Some of your peers might be working at a different timezone compared to yours. Adjusting and figuring out how to prioritize based on each other’s timezone should be something you need to add and not just prioritize your tasks.

Technical issues

Technical issues can also be a problem when working remotely, as you may not have access to the same resources as you would in an office. You’re relying on other tech or your laptop, or even your home. Whether it is a power outage, internet issues, software issues, or even the learning curve of a new project management tool your company started to implement.

You’re not in the office to socialize

You’re probably there to work if you’re not in the office to socialize. And that’s perfectly fine! Some people prefer to keep their work and social life separate, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Just because you’re not interested in going out for drinks with your co-workers doesn’t mean you can’t be friendly and professional with them during work hours. Who knows, maybe you’ll make some lasting relationships without stepping outside the office.

You can feel isolated

The biggest challenge of working remotely is the lack of human interaction. Working from home can be very isolating and lonely. It can also be difficult to stay focused and motivated without the structure of a traditional office environment..

Working remotely can be hard and lonely for most. Remote workers consistently report feeling isolated and lonely. Many managers don’t approve of remote work because they fear employees will slack off without that physical, in-person accountability.

Additionally, more than ever, employees struggle with their mental health, particularly anxiety. The always-on nature of remote work haunts high achievers, who often feel they need to be “on” all the time to prove their worth. When remote employees feel connected to their teams and involved in projects, they can be among your most productive—and happiest—workers.

Working from home can be distracting

While you might think working from home can help you work better because you don’t have to commute and work in your pajamas, other distractions can cause you to be less productive. You might be doing laundry, or your pets or kids are running around screaming. You might have to cook while working odd hours. Your desk is next to your television, or you might turn on music.

You might feel like you’re working all the time

Even though you might want the ability to put large breaks in, that does not mean you should get rid of the concept of making a schedule and sticking to it. Without set hours, what would stop you from getting an idea while watching a movie during your free time and turning on your laptop to work?

It is best to stay on track with basic set hours.

Make sure you do not get too distracted by your home life.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to separate your home life from work life. If you work from home, you might be distracted by the laundry, your spouse or children, or other things around the house. This can quickly ruin your productivity.

Instead of dwelling on the idea, capture it so you can return to it when your office “opens” tomorrow. Even though you might get pings and notifications outside your business hours, having a set routine will make it more likely that you’ll let them go and respond during your next work day.

Everyone on your team must be aware of your business hours and that you are aware of their schedules, too, to respect them.

Productivity, Working Remotely