Remote or face-to-face work? The pros and the cons

Par Cedric Pharand Le 2022-03-21

Remote or face-to-face work? Opinions on this differ. In reality, these options each have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Their practicality depends on the situation or even on the profession. What are the pros and cons of these two formulas?

Remote work

Remote work has exciting benefits for both employees and employers.

Advantages:

Practicality

First, remote work is both practical and economical for the employee. As he can work from home, he frees himself from travel expenses. Also, he has more time to devote to his family or other activities. In addition, it is generally possible to have flexible schedules if necessary.

Elimination of geographical constraints

In addition, working remotely overcomes geographical constraints. On one hand, employees can respond to international offers without having to move. On the other hand, companies have the opportunity to hire the most competent employees to ensure their success.

Employee Safety

Finally, remote work allows the continuation of a company’s activities while preserving the health and safety of employees during delicate periods in the event of a pandemic, epidemic or even war.

The cons:

However, this option is not without drawbacks. Indeed, it requires a great deal of self-control on the part of the workers, who are therefore not under any supervision. Especially since distractions can sometimes be numerous at home. Finally, many claim that working from home sometimes leads to involuntary isolation that is harmful to mental health.

Face-to-face work

Let’s now discover the advantages and limits of face-to-face work.

Pros

Face-to-face work allows employees to better focus on their work and be more productive, being away from possible distractions at home. In addition, communication and interactions to create a team dynamic conducive to the fulfillment of each and the development of the company are easier with this system.

Cons

First, the face-to-face system is sometimes a source of fatigue for people who live far from their place of work. In addition, travel costs can sometimes be very high. But above all, it promotes the spread of viruses in times of epidemics.

Moreover, companies that have opted to return to normal after the Covid-19 pandemic must take the necessary measures to protect employees. Aside from respecting barrier gestures, it is essential to regularly carry out a rapid screening of all employees in order to limit the risk of contagion as much as possible.

To conclude

Remote work seems to be more convenient and economical. Nevertheless, the face-to-face system is generally ideal for optimizing productivity. In addition, many jobs cannot be practiced remotely. In all cases, respect for barrier gestures such as wearing a mask or even the use of hydroalcoholic solution is essential for all those who have to go to work, as the Covid-19 virus continues to claim victims around the world.