Five Things To Consider When Moving from Corporate to Remote

If you have a job that requires you to come into the office, you may be considering if you’d like to work from home at least some of the time. Professionals are increasingly insistent on the benefits of remote work, and some of corporate America is increasingly coming around. 

Specifically, companies profited during 2021, despite widespread remote operations during the pandemic. At the same time, they were able to save money on real estate and operating costs, as well as lessening commute times for their employees, suggests Taylor Telford for The Washington Post. 

However, a number of executives are concerned about the feasibility of long-term remote operations. One-third of respondents in Deloitte’s “Return to Workplaces” survey said they were concerned about company culture, performance, and collaboration through long-standing virtual and hybrid work.

So, as of 2023, major companies like JPMorgan, Apple, and Microsoft are still interested in having their employees return to work, at least some of the time. Google, for instance, bought a billion dollars of office space in London in January 2022. 

With so much debate and discussion about working from home, it can be difficult to make a decision for yourself. Certainly, remote work can be appealing, but does it have its drawbacks? Here, we’ll talk about what to think about when you’re considering moving from corporate to remote.

 

? Do you want to work in a hybrid or fully remote job?

 

The first aspect to consider when thinking about moving from corporate to remote is whether you want to transition into a fully-remote role or would prefer a hybrid schedule. Both of these are viable alternatives, and you need to consider your work style before making a decision. 

For instance, are you easily sidetracked? Then, you might benefit from a hybrid environment that gives you more structure for managing your time. Or are you interested in a remote job so you can travel? If so, then working remotely is your best alternative. 

 

? Benefits of Remote Work

 

One of the most significant benefits of remote work is that you can save on your commute. If you work full-time from home, you can expect to save around $4,000 each year in costs. 

At the same time, many remote jobs pay well, as remote employees earn an average of $4,000 more per year on top of the money they save. Seventy-five percent of remote employees earn enough to place them in the 80th percentile of all employees, regardless of workplace situation. 

 

? Drawbacks to Remote Work

 

Remote work requires a high degree of self-motivation. When you have chores at home or kids running around, it can be all the more difficult to focus on your work.

It can also be difficult for fully-remote workers to make connections with their peers, especially if your company offers in-office work schedules as well.  

“They’re reconnecting in ‘real life’ as I wave from the sidelines. No coffee-room morning chatter for me. No teammates stopped at my desk to say hello. No lunch breaks at the cafeteria on the second floor of HBR’s office building (which I’ve heard of but never visited myself),” said Nicole D. Smith, editorial audience director at Harvard Business Review.

Working in a different physical location from your colleagues can be isolating, but it can also mean that you have to work harder than your in-office colleagues for promotions. Here are some extra steps you will likely need to take to collaborate and form relationships with your coworkers while working completely from home. 

 

? Benefits of Hybrid Work

 

Hybrid work can mitigate some of the issues that arise with fully-remote work. If you head into the office, you can make connections with colleagues and supervisors while also lessening the burden of a five-day-a-week commute. 

“The greatest advantages of hybrid work to date are: improved work-life balance, more efficient use of time, control over work hours and work location, burnout mitigation, and higher productivity,” suggested Gallup in a 2022 report. 

In comparison to fully-remote work, hybrid workers also reported finding it easier to “coordinate with teammates” and build “working relationships with coworkers,” the report goes on to say. 

 

? Drawbacks to Hybrid Work

 

The verdict is still out on whether fully remote or hybrid work situations are more productive – though both types of professionals are more productive than their fully in-office colleagues. 

“On average, remote workers worked almost a full hour more than their in-office and hybrid counterparts…we found remote workers to be more effective than hybrid workers and in-office ones,” said Artis Rozentals for Forbes. 

This finding was not mimicked by Gallup, which suggests that hybrid workers are slightly more productive than fully-remote ones. 

 

? Is Moving from Corporate to Remote Right for You?

 

Remote work certainly has its benefits. You can save hours commuting each day, thereby saving more time for your family and hobbies in the evenings. However, working from home requires more self-motivation than in-person work and may also isolate you from your company and coworkers. Hybrid work, on the other hand, may afford you more of the flexibility you’re seeking, though, of course, you are then confined to corporate jobs in your area. 

Though remote work has been on our minds for the last few years, it is still a relatively new development. If you’re not sure if you’re ready to take the leap away from a full-time, in-office job to either a fully remote or hybrid role, consider talking to one of Ivy Exec’s career coaches about the right next step for you.