The Future, From Home

Surprisingly, this supposed perk has many detractors that tend to paint it in a negative light, arguing that the lack of human contact and social interaction can prove to be detrimental and might contribute to an ongoing loneliness crisis that has been gripping developed nations in the last two decades. Another common point is the lack of supervision by the employer, and the fear that the work won’t be done properly, although this is also a widespread occurrence at physical workplaces. Agree with them or not, they are fair points.

However, regardless of which side makes more sense, there has been something that has come along and not only has tipped the scales in one direction; It has thrown them out of the window, set them on fire, and danced on their ashes. Its name? You guessed it: Coronavirus.

If there was ever a good reason to work from home, the possibility of infection by a virus that has become a global pandemic is is as good as they get. The already tempting perks of going remote are multiplied exponentially when including the chance to avoid being infected and spreading a potentially deadly virus. 

This is where the huge advantages of working from home (independently of infection risk) for both the employer and employee become harder and harder to ignore. First of all, commutes are massively reduced or axed completely, with huge savings in both time and money, and significant reductions in traffic and air pollution. The lack of commute can also encourage people to leave overcrowded cities and relocate to more rural areas in which property prices are far more accessible, leading to more disposable income and boosting the economy. Working from home also allows reconciling work and life in many ways, like taking care of small children or elder people with special needs without having to spend a tremendous amount of money that can put a strain on a household’s finances. 

Employers can also benefit from these changes, as the need for company cars, expensive flights, and other transportation expenses can be significantly reduced. There are also benefits when recruiting, with the lack of commutes allowing a far larger geographical area (potentially unlimited) to hire from.

Unfortunately, the change is not that simple. There are plenty of businesses that cannot switch over at a moment’s notice. Some need major adjustments to their business models, and others simply cannot adopt the system due to the very nature of their trade. But even if that’s the case, it’s inevitable to see how every business on the planet is scrambling to engineer a way to keep their operation running with the least possible impact. In an uncertain future with the menace of a pandemic looming on the horizon, it’s nothing but sensible to start thinking of ways to allow as many employees as possible to work from home if the need arises, or in a more permanent capacity. 

Whether we like it or not, the die is cast. The choice has been made for us. The rather niche concept of working from home has been placed at the center of the stage with a beaming spotlight lighting it up like a Christmas tree, and now is the time when the knowledge and experience of translators and other workers accustomed to work from home can become a valuable lesson for those who have found themselves having to make the switch almost overnight. From excellent time management skills to a strong sense of self-discipline, there are plenty of challenges to overcome in the transition to remote working, so it’s better if we start off early, because if the voices of experts on the matter are to be believed, there is no turning back.