It has been said time and time again that working remotely has several benefits. This rings true, especially for parents.
They can now take care of their kids without leaving the workforce.
However, many parents worry about the effects of remote work on their careers.
Let’s take a closer look at this rising issue.
Feelings of Isolation
Understandably, working from home may sometimes trigger negative feelings.
Parents who work remotely can’t often socialize with their friends due to their responsibilities.
More Millennial and Gen Z parents tend to go on longer without speaking to anyone outside their household, according to one study.
If you are a WFH parent who can relate, you might want to find ways to reduce such feelings.
But apart from feeling lonely, many parents also fear the impact of remote work on their careers.
Remote Work And Its Impact on Your Career
Surprisingly, more men feel that working remotely will negatively affect their careers. According to the Modern Family Index (MFI), men are especially worried about taking advantage of work-life balance benefits as it can impact their appraisals.
Meanwhile, women generally embrace remote working’s flexibility. But only because they’re still often the primary caregivers at home.
It can get even worse for women after they give birth. Think of the “motherhood penalty,” where mothers face pay cuts over the course of their careers.
Not to mention, women tend to leave their jobs in favor of raising kids.
Still, remote work can alleviate these adverse effects.
Provides Flexibility
One of the biggest advantages of working remotely is flexibility.
Both mothers and fathers can fit their household responsibilities into their working schedules. This, then, results in a better work-life balance.
Need to put a child to sleep in the afternoon? Have a load of laundry to do? Need a quick run to the grocery store?
All this is possible with remote work.
However, proper communication is key.
Inform your bosses about your caregiving responsibilities at home. Not the only logical thing to do, but it lets your supervisors and colleagues know why certain hours might not work for you.
Doing so also gives them an opportunity to provide you with adequate support at work.
Increases Productivity
A common misconception about working from home is that it decreases productivity.
There are tons of possible distractions at home, after all.
However, a survey finds that single people are less productive than working parents.
Why?
Because unmarried people do not have anyone to talk to. That is if they live alone.
Neither kids nor the laundry list of chores to do is to be blamed for any drop in productivity at work.
According to the aforementioned survey, social media is the biggest distraction.
Even in an office, people still access social networking sites and get sidetracked. Thus, remote work clearly is not the culprit.
Remote Work Levels the Playing Field
In all, working remotely gives everyone an equal opportunity.
Women do not have to put their careers on hold when they have kids. Remote work also enables men to share in caregiving responsibilities.
But if you’re a parent who works remotely, do remember to communicate your household duties to your managers to set expectations.
On that note, if you are a parent looking to get back into the workforce, check out Remote Staff’s job listings. It is regularly updated and has positions in several industries.
Remote Staff is also a firm advocate for healthy work-life balance. Working remotely is a great avenue for parents who want to earn without leaving their kids behind at home.
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