8 Work-From-Home Myths Debunked

Remote work is on the rise

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended many aspects of work. However, where we work has been most affected. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the number of people primarily working from home tripled from 5.7 percent in 2019 (roughly 9 million people) to 17.9 percent in 2021.

Additionally, according to Accenture’s 2021 Future of Work study, 83 percent of employees prefer hybrid work, and 63 percent of high-growth companies have already implemented “productivity anywhere” hybrid work models that foster even more flexibility. This demonstrates that employers are likely to accommodate employees’ remote-work preferences. 

Workers are even willing to sacrifice compensation to keep remote work flexibility. According to the Owl Labs 2022 State of Remote Work report, 52 percent of employees would accept a pay cut of 5 percent or more of their annual salary to maintain the freedom of choosing their work location, and 2 percent would give up more than 20 percent of their salary for the benefits of remote work.

Remote work is clearly an in-demand job perk companies must consider to attract and retain top talent. And because working from home can increase productivity, their flexibility will likely be rewarded. According to the Owl Labs report, 62 percent of workers feel more productive when working remotely.

8 work-from-home-myths

The shift to remote work raises questions for companies and employees, such as the following:

• If virtual employees aren’t visible in the office, how can they remain accountable? 
• Will bosses treat remote employees as “out of sight, out of mind”? 
• How can remote employees maintain professional relationships?
• Will remote employees be reachable during regular business hours?
• Will remote employees get distracted by their responsibilities at home?

Whether you work from home or manage a remote workforce, it’s crucial to separate fact from fiction regarding remote-work habits and practices. Maren Kate Donovan, founder of virtual assistant hiring service Zirtual, cleared up some common misconceptions employers and employees have about virtual workers.

Creativity lulls and home-based workplace distractions that kill productivity are real challenges. Donovan advises working in spurts, taking frequent walks and changing your environment often to combat them.

Myth 1: You can be as productive on the couch as at a desk or table. 

Working on the sofa is bad for your posture. It also offers a wealth of distractions – like TV or the temptation to nap – in often poor lighting. 

Donovan advises being comfortable at work – but not too comfortable – and choosing a setup that maximizes your productivity. “You should make yourself as comfortable as possible and move locations to stay inspired throughout the day,” Donovan advised. “The couch should not serve as your primary place of work.” 

Myth 2: Meetings aren’t productive when they’re not face-to-face. 

There’s a common perception that virtual meetings are less productive than face-to-face meetings. In fact, research published in the journal Nature found that virtual meetings can lead to fewer, less creative ideas. 

However, while virtual meetings may not always pack a creative punch, they can be efficient and productive. “In our experience, meetings in the virtual space are often more efficient and productive than in the office,” Donovan said. She pointed out that meeting participants are likely sensitive to different time zones and are reluctant to waste anyone’s time.  

Myth 3: “Work from home” strictly means working from home, not other settings. 

It’s become clear that working from “home” can mean just about anywhere beyond the company office. Employees can work remotely from hotels, parks, restaurants, airplanes, libraries, pools, coffee shops and other places. 

A successful remote work location requires privacy, stability and security. If you’re working while traveling or on the go, ensure you find a spot that isn’t too noisy or distracting. 

Myth 4: Working from home means working whenever you want. 

Freelancers and contractors who work from home can often set their own schedules. However, for most jobs, working from home means working when your co-workers, managers, vendors and clients are working, even if your time zone doesn’t quite line up. 

“Because business thrives upon other people’s deadlines and needs, we work when everyone else does – and then some!” Donovan noted. Indeed, working from home often means working more (which leads to our next myth).

Myth 5: Working from home means working less.

People often view working from home as a way to work less. However, this isn’t the case. For example, many workers who are excited to stop commuting end up pouring that time into their jobs. When your home is your office, knowing when to stop working can be challenging.

“It often becomes hard to draw the line when your home becomes a place for work and everything else,” Donovan said. “It is very important to insist on a daily routine that involves eating, relating, taking a walk, etc.”

Myth 6: There are too many distractions at home to work efficiently. 

Everyone who has worked from home is aware of the constant temptations of the fridge, phone and TV. However, Donovan says many at-home workers learn to tune them out. “Similar to meditation, you become extremely good at cutting out all the noise and focusing on the task at hand,” she said. “Like anything, it takes practice.”

Myth 7: There’s a robust digital water cooler.

For many people, a job is as much about relationships as work. Gig economy marketplace Airtasker found that 70 percent of people rank social relationships from the office as crucial as getting their work done. 

Though many a Zoom happy hour has tried to compensate for the lack of in-person interaction, there’s no question that working from home minimizes social interaction with co-workers. If you go the remote-work route, it’s crucial to maintain social ties and ensure you’re not isolated.

Myth 8: Remote work technology is challenging.

Before the pandemic, little was heard about video conferencing tools and other remote-communication solutions outside of large corporations. However, the forced switch to at-home work quickly brought remote work tools into the mainstream. Today, solutions like Skype and Slack are commonplace, and everyone is so used to Zoom that Zoom burnout is a new problem. 

The pandemic shifted our perceptions of what’s possible for remote communication, bringing accessible tools into the mainstream and making millions of people comfortable with the technology.

Pros and cons of remote work for employers

With remote work on the rise, more businesses are creating remote work plans and training leaders on managing remote teams. As companies assess remote work as an option for their employees, it’s essential to examine the pros and cons of allowing employees to work from home.

Pros of allowing remote work include: 

• Remote work attracts top talent. Today’s talented job seekers prefer flexible work schedules and hybrid work arrangements. Companies can build an exceptional workforce from a pool of excellent talent by offering remote work options. Additionally, companies that incorporate remote work can cast a wider net when recruiting because they’re not limited to local job seekers. 
• Remote work can save money. Renting and maintaining office space is a tremendous expense. Companies that work as fully remote or hybrid entities can save on overhead costs and divert money to talent acquisition or other initiatives. 
• Remote work can boost morale. Flexibility and hybrid work arrangements can boost company morale. Employees may feel more in control of personal stressors like childcare when they have the flexibility to manage their family’s needs. Additionally, remote work and flexible work arrangements can reduce workplace stress and create a positive work-life balance. 

Cons of allowing remote work include: 

• A remote workforce may struggle to bond. Having a team that likes and supports each other can be a tremendous benefit for companies. Workers often perform better when they feel like they’re part of a team that lifts and supports all members. However, team building can be much more challenging when colleagues don’t hang out in person or bump into each other at the water cooler.
• Remote work can pose cybersecurity concerns. Companies generally have far less control over the hardware and software used by remote workers. This introduces a host of cybersecurity concerns associated with remote workers. Unsecured Wi-Fi networks also pose security risks. 

Hybrid work is here to stay

Remote work, hybrid work and work location flexibility are becoming commonplace in business today as companies pivot to accommodate their workers’ priorities. While working from home may not be for everyone or every business, understanding the realities of remote work can help employers and workers craft a flexible situation that meets everyone’s needs.  

Nicole Fallon contributed to the reporting and writing in this article. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.