Many of us got a taste of working from home in 2020, and it wasn’t always pretty: laptops balanced on couches, the realisation you left your phone charger at the office and Zoom meetings with hungover flatmates in the background. But let’s be clear. This is not the normal when you choose to work remotely. This is the rushed, COVID-inspired recipe. Something pulled together in desperate circumstances — a bit like those half-baked brownies you threw together for the Christmas street party when you realised everyone was bringing a plate.
So, outside of a world in lockdown, what is remote working and why is it becoming so popular? The appeal is perfectly summed up by 35-year-old Francis*, an engineer who enjoys workdays by the beach: “I’ve got a wagon with the back seats taken out and some pillows. I’ll just sit there with my laptop and battery bank looking out over the ocean and work from there.”
Absolute freedom
There are no ties or anchors when your workspace is no longer defined by four walls. Employees looking to break free from routine and monotony can switch up their location on a daily basis, without asking for permission. You can work from home or you can head out into the big wide world. You simply go wherever you feel inspired — a philosophy that is perhaps more attractive than ever since lockdown became part of everyday vocabulary.
Grace* is a 30-year-old psychologist and requires only a laptop, a good internet connection and a quiet space to work. She enjoys the luxury of changing up her scenery depending on her mood and to-do list. It’s autonomy on a whole new level.
“It often depends on the work I’m doing, so when I’m having confidential conversations and doing client work, I prefer to be at home,” she says. “But for report writing or case notes, I like to go to a cafe, the beach or sometimes the library.” She explains that working outside the home fulfils a yearning for social interaction without the pitfalls of office politics. “A lot of my work is solo, so I feel like I’m a part of the community and interacting with people when I do it. Even if it’s vicarious interaction.”
Francis also loves the flexibility and independence that comes from remote working. In the last two years alone, his nomadic spirit has seen him call three different cities home, all while working the same job as a remote engineer. He didn’t have to quit his job or ask for a transfer — he simply followed his nose and took his work along with him. “I was looking for a new place to settle, so I drove down the east coast, got on the Spirit of Tasmania and travelled around. All without taking any time off, which was really cool.”
The lesser-discussed benefit of the remote working model is the opportunity it brings to millennials wanting to get into the property market. When you’re not tied to a location through your job, you can choose to buy and live in more affordable places. Your first home doesn’t need to be in Melbourne, Sydney or any expensive inner-city suburb. You can go anywhere. There are plenty of amazing rural towns and up-and-coming suburbs to explore if it’s a manageable mortgage you’re seeking.
Getting shit done
The flexibility and freedom of remote work isn’t just about lifestyle. If you’re self-motivated, it can help you bring your A-Game to the workplace too — after all, a happy worker is a harder worker.
Or at least many big-name companies seem to think so. In particular, Twitter, which, since May last year, has led the way with a permanent and positive view to remote working. While it’s still early days, the organisation estimates roughly half its workforce could be working from home in the future.
There are numerous reported benefits: higher morale can lead to better productivity, a more satisfying work-life balance can help reduce burnout, and without the annoying office politics, you have more time to do your work.
Or like Francis, you might just find you manage your projects better. “I like to go with my energy levels. I’m much more productive in the morning and not so productive in the afternoon,” he explains. “So when I set my own schedule, I can be much more efficient with my time.”
The full picture
Nothing is perfect and working remotely comes with its own set of challenges. According to Francis, it’s important to stay motivated and not get caught up in the distractions that working outside the office can present. “With the freedom comes responsibility. You’ve got to make sure you get stuff done. If you have a deadline, you have to make the deadline, no matter what.”
He also points out that some people might feel the distance when it comes to climbing the corporate ladder. “Some people say it can limit your career progression. They might find it’s easier to move up the ladder if you’re physically in the office.”
As for Grace, sometimes she misses the collaborative nature of a traditional workplace. “Previously I’d be sitting in the office and turn around to ask a colleague a question and have them available to answer right away. Now, if I have a question, I use our teamwork platform or email and might not get an answer until the next day.”
But when asked if they’d have it any other way, it’s a unanimous “no”. A flexible approach to work has enabled each of them to live bigger, more purpose-driven lives. For Grace it has offered a healthier perspective on life and work. “The mindset has shifted to more ‘work is an actual means to an end’ rather than ‘work is the be-all-end-all’,” she shares.
Then again, sometimes it’s just the small things: “I like surfing,” says Francis. “But that’s weather-dependent. I can plan ahead, take a couple of hours off to go for a surf and make up the time later in the day.”
Convincing your boss
Ready to take the leap? With the remote working model moving into the mainstream, now is a good time to bring it up with your boss. Here are some tips on selling the idea:
Focus on the benefits to the company
Don’t just show them your plane tickets to the Whitsundays and the pool bar you intend to work from; explain all the ways you can be more productive and better at your job.
Start slow
Ease into the transition with a couple of days a week working from home and work your butt off so your boss knows you mean business. Now is not the time to accidentally wear pyjamas to a Zoom meeting.
Offer it on a trial basis
If your employer seems a little hesitant, make it less scary with a three-month trial period. The magic here is blowing their minds so they never look back.
What you might need
- Reliable internet access (Wi-Fi dongles are handy)
- Laptop with good video capabilities
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Portable power bank (if you’re on the road)
* Names have been changed
Lauren Furey is a freelance writer who happily works from her loungeroom, local beach or even campground kitchens on occasion.
