There is a common perception that people who work from home are less productive compared to those working in a traditional office setting. However, it is important to note that productivity can vary widely based on individual circumstances, work environment, and personal preferences. While some people may thrive in a remote work setup, others may struggle to maintain productivity due to various reasons. Here are a few factors that can contribute to potential lower productivity when working from home:
1. Lack of structure and routine: Working from home often means having more flexibility in terms of setting one's own schedule. While this can be beneficial for some, others may find it difficult to establish a structured routine. Without clear boundaries between work and personal life, distractions such as household chores, family obligations, or personal hobbies can easily creep in and disrupt productivity.
2. Limited accountability and supervision: When working in an office, there is typically a higher level of direct supervision and oversight from managers or colleagues. This can provide a sense of accountability and motivation to stay focused and productive. In a remote work setup, individuals may lack this level of supervision, leading to a decrease in productivity for some.
3. Isolation and lack of social interaction: Human beings are social creatures, and the absence of face-to-face interactions in a remote work environment can adversely affect productivity for certain individuals. The lack of spontaneous conversations, brainstorming sessions, or quick problem-solving discussions that often occur in an office setting can hinder creativity and collaboration, leading to reduced productivity.
4. Technology-related challenges: Working remotely heavily relies on technology, and any technical issues or connectivity problems can disrupt workflow and decrease productivity. Additionally, individuals may face challenges in adapting to new software or tools required for remote work, leading to inefficiencies and reduced output.
5. Distractions and interruptions: While distractions can occur in any work environment, they may be more prevalent when working from home. Interruptions from family members, pets, deliveries, or household noise can be more frequent, making it harder to maintain focus and productivity.
It is important to note that the impact of these factors can vary from person to person. While some individuals may find working from home to be highly productive due to a quieter and more comfortable environment, others may struggle with the challenges mentioned above. It is crucial to find strategies that work best for each individual to maintain productivity in a remote work setup.
References:
- Bloom, N., Liang, J., Roberts, J., & Ying, Z. J. (2015). Does working from home work? Evidence from a Chinese experiment. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 130(1), 165-218.
- Golden, T. D., Veiga, J. F., & Simsek, Z. (2006). Telecommuting's differential impact on work-family conflict: Is there no place like home?. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91(6), 1340-1350.
- Grant, C. A., & Dweck, C. S. (2003). Clarifying achievement goals and their impact. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85(3), 541-553.
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User Comments
Skylar Garcia
a year ago
like all things the truth is somewhere in the middle. Some people a dynamos at WFH, and some folks prob need the supervision to keep on track. But none of those apply here because we know businesses are just sour their super size and therefore super expensive offices are rendered mostly useless by WFH.
Scarlet Martin Martin
a year ago
I have a couple coworkers who spend the first half of their day walking around the office socializing. Working from home literally saves me hours because I donāt have to stand there pretending to care when they blab about their new boat or childās baseball practice.
Eugene Harris Harris
a year ago
They say that those people work faster but somehow produce less. Without knowing more it just sounds like people are happier, working better, but the company is mad that they aren't asking for more tasks to make up for the completed work rate. They get mad people are "distracted" by their families like their families are a complete afterthought rather than the whole point of their lives. I mean they haven't proven anything. Just more claims from their endless studies of a subjective perspective of what they constitute "productivity".
Cyrus Hernandez
a year ago
I heard in a meeting āso the data shows that our work-from-home days are less productiveā I cut in and said āI was reading an interesting article that evidenced that although wfh days seem less productive, they are far more productive for the individual, they can put a wash in, do the shopping etc and then the days they are in office, they are fully focused on the job and so productivity overall shoots up. It also means that people donāt have to do life admin tasks on the weekend and they get a true break, leading to less burn out, so productivity remains high throughout the yearā They took it very well and said, āoh that is an interesting angle I hadn't thought of. We will have to look into our data moreā
Scarlet Davis
a year ago
I think that WFH is a viable solution for both employers and employees. Can the system be abused from both ends? Absolutely. WFH needs engaged employees who are efficient at their jobs and capable of managing distractions while working in an alternative environment. Not everyone has a quiet home life. Not everyone has a dedicated workspace in a spare bedroom or corner of less traveled area of their dwelling. But many people can get by just fine, with less optimal conditions if they can get what they need done. Employers need to not micromanage their staff. They have to understand that their workers may have more or less downtime between daily tasks. It shouldnāt be surprising if there is radio silence for a few hours. The employees are fine. If they need help, they will reach out. I have a controlling boss that must feel needed at least once every 4-6 hours in a day. If I go without āchecking inā or asking one simple question, this boss will start looking into my work. They will do things for me, or correct perceived mistakes without explanation. Iāve been there going on a year now. There is a highly visible divide between WFH and full-time office workers. Iām about a year in and have only met 20 people I work with. Most are chill, but 6 of them have openly stated WFH ruined the office dynamic. Iād rather watch paint dry than spend more than a minute talking to them. I canāt take that shit too seriously.
Mia Sanchez
a year ago
I am lazy but I'm just as capable of being lazy at the office and I still get my stuff done
Savannah Thompson
a year ago
Anywhere and everywhere I can I point out that most people go to work so they can pretend to work. Can't pretend to work at home since there's nobody to see you. You ether do your job or you don't. But in the office you can cosplay a working person from the 70's or 80's to convince people you're actually doing something.
Patricia Campbell
a year ago
Second article today from BI about the same study (no link yo said study, shocker). Its time we call out BI for what it is, a propaganda channel paid for by the capitalist class to proliferate their murderous ideology.
Raina Hernandez
a year ago
I'd bet that this loss of productivity (if it's even real) has more to do with the inability of managers to properly manage WFH employees
Sophie Brown
a year ago
Higher ups at my work tried that. Then the numbers came out. Turned out during the first year working from home, we were able to complete more work than ANY previous year. They changed their tune real quick and made remote permanent. Imagine that, people are able to get more work done when they're well rested, comfortable, and able to focus since they aren't in an open floor plan building with multiple conversations going on around them.