Exploring the 4 Key Factors Behind the Negative Perceptions of Remote Work
I’ve been researching and blogging about remote work for 10 years now. During this time I have read articles about the benefits remote working has, especially for moms.
But even as the remote work debate became a hot topic after the pandemic forced many of us to work from home, this lifestyle still gets a bad rep.
So what are the reasons that are giving remote work a bad name? Keep on reading for a breakdown of the top four.
The Remote Jobs Are Not Like A “Normal” Job
Some people think there are only remote jobs in telemarketing, sales, or customer service. Ten to fifteen years ago this may have been the case but work-from-home jobs have changed over the years.
Now there are positions like tech support agents, nurses, and airline reservation agents, web developers (and the list goes on) that can perform their duties from the comfort of their own homes.
You Can’t Make Real Money With Remote Work
Not only have the types of jobs gotten better but so has the pay. The average starting pay for a work-from-home job is $10 to $15 an hour. I know it doesn’t sound like much but when you factor in how much you save on fuel, meals, and clothes alone, it’s a good trade-off. Wouldn’t you say?
What’s more, companies are now offering benefits for remote workers. I don’t have to tell you about the importance of having health coverage nowadays.
Working from Home Is Easy
A work-from-home lifestyle really isn’t as easy as it seems. Sure on the surface it looks as though we have the best of both worlds and images like the ones you see online make it seem like we do. And in some way, yeah I think it’s possible.
But when you add kids, pets, family, and the unexpected into the mix it can become a mad house. And getting work done can be impossible.
In order to work from home you have to be disciplined. You have to know how to say no to the last-minute visits and invites to lunch. And you have to not get distracted by everything going on around you.
Still, it beats dealing with rush hour traffic any day! It’s all how you look at it.
Recommended Reading: The Top Distractions You Face When Working From Home
People Who Work from Home Aren’t Dependable or Capable
This is the biggest misconception yet! Everyone has a good reason to want to work from home. Just because someone chooses to work from home doesn’t mean they’re lazy. Haters are just gonna hate!
It takes a person who is dependable, self-motivating, focused, and disciplined to be able to manage and balance a work-from-home lifestyle. It’s these characteristics that make working from home look so easy.
And that’s what companies look for in their employees regardless if they work in an office cubicle or at home. Think about it. Companies like JetBlue, Apple, and Hilton are not going to hire just anybody.
They look for top-notch candidates with great skills and experience. There are many folks who work from home who have what they’re looking for plus education and certifications to boot. Comparable to their counterparts who work in an office. So yes, this is another one of those misconceptions because there are some real brainiacs working from home!
Final Thoughts About Remote Work And Its Bad Rep
I like to think of myself as sort of an advocate for working from home. But I’m not only promoting how to make money from home because that’s what my business is about. I promote it because I live it.
If you would like to work from home the first step is to decide what you want to do. Do you want a job, a home-based business or do you just want to make extra money?
No matter what it is you want to do, there is something for anyone who wants to work from home.
And with the number of people working from home growing by 115% since 2005, it looks like more folks are realizing it, too!
