What It Feels Like Working Remotely in 2021: Trends and Challenges

The new remote work shift began in March 2020 when most of the world fell under the limitations dictated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The governments of many countries were forced to put entire populations in the quarantine zone. It means certain restrictions, such as the partial or full stop of transport and a ban on the work of some establishments.

Compared to 2019, the demand for remote work has gone up by 309 percent! “Distant” turned into the new normal, and the trend is still in place as the global lockdown has not fully been lifted yet. Both the number of job openings for freelancers and remote work increased. The greatest share of the remote marketplace is occupied by such niches as:

1. Software Development
2. Business and Management
3. Copywriting
4. Marketing
5. SEO
6. Customer Support
7. Project Management
8. DevOps
9. Design
10. HR & Recruiting

For experts in these fields, working remotely is not something new. Below you can find some of the main remote trends of 2021.

Asynchronous Communication

It is the best way out of the current situation for companies that cover multiple locations. The asynchronous approach involves working within numerous time zones, still monitoring the progress of your peers.

Shared Home Office

Working in the living room or kitchen might not be the best idea due to multiple distractions. However, many remote workers who realized that staying at home is their main perspective for the next few years found a way out. They create a separate space in their apartments with office equipment and tools. It makes sense to build in a premise like that if you intend to work from home for months.

A remote worker needs plenty of ergonomic equipment and comfortable chairs. Some couples who have to share the same home office quickly learn how to co-work. After all, in the offices, people sit and work in teams.

Cloud-Based Human Resources Tech

To keep staff engaged and productive, HR departments involve new technologies. The post-pandemic human resources apps possess special support in the shape of virtual recruitment, onboarding, training, and retention. Organizations have to master remote team management guides to survive the era of distant work. Today, flexible job alternatives can raise staff retention rate by 10-15%.

Improved Cybersecurity

Online safety is now a greater concern. While in the office, people care less about cybersecurity, but it’s different for their home computers. In the age of COVID-19, employees care about safe data access and storage more than ever. It stimulates innovations in IT systems and infrastructure.

Technologies and Equipment

The greatest challenge is to personalize a curated set of work from home technologies and goods. On the one hand, you can bring your laptop home with you from your office. On the other hand, you can utilize new tools or those that you are familiar with. If you work remotely, do not expect the company to provide you with all necessary equipment, but it will probably provide at least the necessary access to all apps and websites that might be useful for the working process. You can bring your laptop from the office, however. Companies can provide you with:

• New standing desk

• Tiny writing desk

• iPad to use as a second external monitor at home

• An adjustable desk riser

As for the rest of the tools and equipment, it’s up to you to decide.

Employee Enablement & Empowerment

Staff obtained more freedom and independence since switching to remote work. Workers can observe their potential, master new skills independently and gain a brand new experience while working from home. While doing the job independently, employees have to face decision-making processes on par with C-level executives, making them better experts.

So, it’s basically about more freedom yet higher responsibility. Who knows how far it may go - it's better to get ready to face the challenges and catch up with new trends!