• Posted on Nov 10, 2023

Good try media and the corporations who own them! Corporations struggle to adjust in this new market where employees feel empowered to have more freedom and flexibility by working remotely. They are pushing all kinds of narratives to get us to miss ‘the old way’ where we had less control and work-life harmony.

Remote work is not good for their expensive buildings that are more empty than full.

Remote work is not good for their bottom line. They must pay a premium to get people to accept an in-person or hybrid job because remote folks will often accept less pay for the benefit of working remotely.

Remote work is not good for any old-fashioned supervisors who haven’t upped their skills, comfort level,  and competency in leading a remote workforce.

Remote work is not good for their retention. As other organizations offer remote work, employees move to greener, more remote pastures.

There is also this growing phenomenon called ‘overwork’ or ‘over employed’ where some remote workers successfully meet or exceed the job requirements of two full time remote jobs. One reason for this phenomenon is workers feel it strengthens their job security and mitigates stagnant wages and layoffs corporations have burdened them with, despite their high profits. This makes the media and corporations nervous, to say the least.

Yes, loneliness is an epidemic. So much so that our Surgeon General called it a public health crisis and crated an 82-page report around the issue. Though loneliness can affect everyone, younger people are more likely to report feeling lonely. Going “back to the office” will not cure this crisis. For many, ending or severely limiting remote work may help with loneliness, but it will have those unpleasant side effects we’ve all come to dread, such as increased transportation, food, and clothing costs, less flexibility, and reduced productivity.

Work should not serve as our primary source of social connection. That’s what having a life outside of work is for. Corporations want you to be married to your job. They want you to give your whole self to work, for them to be your only employer, to work in sickness and in health, as they get richer and your raise does not keep up with inflation, until they are ready to lay you off. Many modern-day workers simply are no longer interested in this type of marriage. It’s not equitable and they don’t feel appreciated or seen. They want a divorce.

Though my first master’s degree is from Johns Hopkins, my second master’s degree is from a Unitarian Universalist seminary. While earning this degree in leadership studies, I was exposed to the phrase, “In order to give you the best of me, I can’t give you all of me.” This phrase reminded us that healthy work boundaries and self-care is fundamental to self-leadership and being authentic at work.

Social media and the pandemic did not start this loneliness epidemic but exacerbated it. Societal trends such as fewer people getting married, smaller family size, and more adults living alone have been ticking the arrow upward towards the feelings of loneliness for decades. Despite this, remote work can increase happiness, stretch paychecks, and helps us spend more time with loved ones and less time commuting.

We will continue seeing this type of narrative trying to chip away at the empowerment remote work provides.  Framing ‘going into work’ as something that is for our own good, is propaganda. The pandemic has increased our price sensitivity, made us re-evaluate our priorities, and shifted our gears. Many of us have finally realized that money is replaceable, but time is finite. Jobs are also replaceable, but our lives are priceless.

My recommendation is to consider more stable, compassionate employers who are leaning into fully or partially remote work cultures as the federal government and progressive non-profit organizations. Beware of anti-remote work propaganda. When you see it, ask “who does this serve?” If you’re lonely, re-establish and strengthen your in-person relationships and connection opportunities outside of work.

Employers who are secure and values driven understand the benefit of employee wellness. They will go above and beyond to support their employee’s ability to have healthy work-life boundaries. Unlike corporations who want to bring you back “into the office” 100%, these progressive organizations take pride in being “remote first” or otherwise remote-work supportive. Remote opportunities in the federal government and progressive non-profit organizations exist. They are eager to find and hire you.

#remotejobs
#RemoteWorkTips
#leadership
#humanresources
#empathyatwork

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