The Impact of Remote Work on Career Longevity, Health, and Family Life
Photo by Standsome Worklifestyle on Unsplash
Working On-Site and Mental Stress
When we look back at the COVID-19 era, memories of hardship and pain come to the forefront of our minds. However, the pandemic also brought a remarkable shift in the way we work. A majority of the workforce transitioned from on-site to remote work, thanks to technological advancements that enabled this shift while helping to control the spread of the virus. Remote work became a blessing for me in the last few years of my career.
I spent 35 years working on-site and five years working remotely. For the first 25 years of my career, remote work was not an option. Commuting took an average of two hours daily, not to mention the risks involved.
One of the scariest incidents I can recall happened in my early 20s while working for a company in South India. I was returning home in a private bus when the driver started racing with another bus to pick up more passengers. Both buses were going beyond the speed limit, making the journey frightening.
When my bus finally stopped, I attempted to get off, but before I could place both feet on the ground, the bus took off. I fell onto the road, my handbag flew out, and my shoes scattered. In a split second, I found myself lying in the middle of the road, watching the wheels of the bus behind me pass dangerously close to my head. By God’s grace, I escaped with only minor sprains and scratches on my knees. However, the trauma and stress from that experience stayed with me for a long time.
Eliminating daily commutes not only saves time but also significantly reduces stress, making the work experience more pleasant. This can be a major factor in deciding to extend one’s career.
Working On-Site and Its Impact on Family Life
For the next 17 years, I worked in the Middle East, where the work schedule followed two shifts: 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM. These split shifts were designed to avoid extreme heat and humidity. However, balancing this schedule with two children under the age of five was incredibly challenging. Leaving the kids in daycare and picking them up between shifts was not only inconvenient but also stressful for both parents and children.
I still remember my four-year-old son praying to God for his mother to get a single-shift job. Working on-site not only brought immense stress but also deprived me of quality time with my family. From the late 90s until 2010, remote work was not very popular, except for service desk personnel who resolved customer issues over the phone
The Benefits of Working Remotely
With technological advancements after 2010, new opportunities emerged, especially for tech professionals in the software industry, to work remotely. Initially, remote work was allowed only when necessary, but by 2019, I was working fully remotely except for attending an in-person team meeting once a month. Those last five years were the most productive of my career. It was difficult for me to retire because I loved my job so much.
1. Saving Time
The best gift you can give to anyone is your time. Looking back, I wish I could time travel and reclaim the hours wasted on commuting to spend them with my family.
2. Improved Health
My health significantly improved after transitioning to remote work. I had more time to cook healthy meals, exercise, and get proper sleep. Overall, I felt more peaceful and happy.
3. Financial Benefits
A healthier lifestyle reduced medical expenses, and working from home cut down on costs such as frequent eating out, transportation, and fuel expenses. Over the years, these savings added up significantly. Employers also benefited by saving on office space rent.
4. Economic Impact
While remote work may impact certain businesses, such as landlords renting office spaces and nearby restaurants, trends evolve over time. Forcing employees back on-site is not a justifiable solution to this issue.
5. Environmental Impact
Both employees and employers can contribute to reducing environmental pollution and carbon footprints by embracing remote work.
6. Workforce Diversity
Remote work is especially beneficial for individuals nearing retirement, parents with small children, and those with partial or full disabilities. By reducing these stressors, employees can think more freely and contribute effectively to the economy.
7. A Larger Talent Pool
Employers who allow remote work gain access to a wider pool of expertise, as they can hire talent from anywhere in the world.
8. Reduced Peak-Hour Traffic Congestion
With more people working remotely, essential service workers can travel without excessive delays due to peak-hour traffic. This makes emergency services and other critical commutes smoother and more efficient.
Workplace Discipline — A Lesson from My Parents
Whether we like it or not, the future will likely see an exponential increase in the demand for remote jobs. Employers who insist on 100% on-site work may have to compromise on the expertise of the candidates they recruit.
Regardless of whether you work on-site or remotely, maintaining discipline is important. My parents gave me valuable advice when I got my first job:
- Treat work as worship.
- Never compete with colleagues; instead, help them grow alongside you.
- Remember that you are accountable to the Almighty, your ultimate Boss.
These three principles guided me throughout my career, and I am confident they will help anyone striving for a fulfilling professional life.
Final Thoughts
The shift to remote work transformed my career, offering greater flexibility, better health, and a more balanced life. If not for remote work, I might have retired sooner.
With the right approach to discipline and productivity, remote work can be a game-changer — not just for individuals but for businesses and the environment as well.
Would you delay retirement if remote work became an option? Let’s discuss!
