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Why Remote Workers Never Go Back to On-Site Jobs

And why they resist the change

By Karin BauerPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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Image courtesy of Pixabay

It seems that the employees who are now working from home never want to return to their old jobs. They say they do not have a compelling reason to return, or they’re simply afraid of change. Regardless of the reason, these employees are wasting their valuable time and energy.

Employees with remote jobs do not want to return to their old workplaces

While many employees were thrilled by the idea of working from home, they are dissatisfied with the fact that they have to return to an office environment, which often has fewer amenities. Some employees are even concerned about the loss of their home office, where they may feel trapped in an office environment for long periods of time.

A recent survey has found that many remote employees are uncomfortable returning to their old workplaces. More than half of the workers who work largely or exclusively from home would be uncomfortable if their offices reopened within a month. However, half of them would be at least somewhat comfortable returning to their former workplaces.

However, many companies are looking to make work more flexible and attractive for their employees. For example, some companies are introducing hybrid schedules to attract and retain remote employees. In the case of Google, most of its employees will return to the office three days a week. Similarly, Microsoft, Wells Fargo, and Meta Platforms Inc. have recently introduced hybrid schedules. However, this isn’t the only benefit of hybrid working.

A new study suggests that a majority of remote employees are unlikely to want to return to their former workplaces in the event of a pandemic. According to FlexJobs’ survey, 59% of American employees with jobs that can be done from home would look for a new job if they had to return to the office. A majority of respondents, however, did not want to return to their old workplaces in the event of pandemonium, and 31% aren’t sure whether they would look for a new position.

Working from home can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. Among them is the opportunity to avoid commute time. Those who telecommute also tend to be more productive than their office-based counterparts. Moreover, they are also less likely to quit their jobs. Many companies are now considering this option as it can provide a great deal of flexibility. Employees can also escape the absurd cell phone use rules in the building, carrying a lunch, wearing pricey and uncomfortable work clothes, and other inconveniences.

Even a pay cut will be accepted by employees if it means staying at home. They become so accustomed to working from home that they now fear having to resume their miserable daily drive.

They are afraid of change

Many people are hesitant to make the switch from an on-site job to a remote job. They’re afraid of change and prefer the status quo. But that’s not the only reason people are hesitant to move on. A recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 4.3 million people in the U.S. left their jobs in January. This is a dramatic increase from the 2.2 million who left their jobs in January 2017.

The negative impacts of returning to an on-site job are often attributed to concerns about safety, COVID-19 protection, and scheduling flexibility. However, these concerns do not always correlate with experience. While there may be some overlap, many consumers have reported experiencing negative mental health impacts when returning to their on-site jobs. In particular, safety concerns and the fear of spreading COVID-19 were the top drivers of the adverse impact on mental health.

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About the Creator

Karin Bauer

Widow, no children. Loves horseback riding and traveling (and combining the two). Freelance Writer, equestrian clothing business owner.

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