Societal Considerations: Remote vs. In-Person Work
In-person work versus remote work is a hotly contested topic. And my opinion on the matter is not fully baked. So, I would like to try to approach the subject from a different angle. Thank you in advance, as the reader of this article, for coming along for the ride.
I would like to start with the premise that remote work is more efficient, convenient, and accommodating to people with disabilities of all kinds. My question is: If remote work is so beneficial, then why do leadership teams continue pushing for in-person work?
The statistics concerning who is on either side of this argument have given me a glimpse into my initial thoughts on the subject.? American Staffing Association determined that 37% of Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) prefer fully remote work, in contrast to 49% of Millennials (born 1981-1996) and 27% of Gen Z workers (born 1997-2012).? Finally, 68% of all Americans questioned prefer some type of hybrid model.
I am sure many factors make up?these statistics. Maybe many millennials in their 30s and 40s prioritize work-life balance and flexibility as they start families. Gen Z being much younger, might be craving more in-person collaboration and social connection. While finally, Baby Boomers, who frankly have one foot out the door already, look at remote work as a better way to transition mentally as well as physically to retirement.
So, the various age groups have their reasons for wanting (or not wanting) fully remote work. However, this does not help me understand why company leadership pushes against the concept.
The arguments that I hear routinely from people in leadership?about returning to in-person work full-time include:
These “soft” variables resonate with me and, unfortunately, dovetail with my other observations about where our culture is headed as a nation. It is no shock to the reader that younger people are, in general, relying on devices and social media more and more. The anecdotal image of parents sitting at a dinner table with children buried in their phones has become the norm, with few panaceas to lure these kids back to being present and engaging with the immediate world they live in.
I am coming to believe that fully remote work, even if it is all that and a bag of chips, is not suitable for our society. I think that company leaders see this also. Maybe their reasoning is not as altruistic as mine. In fact, Flex..jobs has determined that 80% of all jobs rely on these “soft” social skills that all remote work, company leaders believe, erode. ?But regardless of the reasoning for wanting some in-person work, I am tending to agree with the need for in-person work.?
WBUR reported that Americans as a whole are spending 30% less time socializing in person than they did 20 years ago. And this number gets even higher for younger people—50% less time.
Given that younger people brought up in the mobile internet age are more tethered to their devices. Given that they are relying on opinions and interactions with people and images that they might not know. Given that the images, words, and videos people see on the internet might not even be real. And given that in-person social skills are declining at an alarming rate…..I believe that all remote work is another nail in the coffin for the development of “Soft” social skills in our society.
Don’t believe me?? Ask your mom.