The way we work has changed dramatically in recent times, especially with the rise of remote work, which was further boosted due to the coronavirus pandemic. While remote work offers the promise of flexibility and work-life integration, many work-related challenges for mental health have also emerged. Some o the obvious benefits of remote work for both workers and businesses include reduced working costs, commute stress, or increased flexibility in work schedules. Unfortunately, such benefits also come at a price: there has been undeniably huge upticks in mental health issues that come with the culture of remote work.

One obvious drawbacks to remote working is social isolation, especially for extroverted individuals who thrive on interpersonal connections. The absence of face-to-face interactions with coworkers can result in feelings of loneliness and disconnection. Working remotely doesn’t only deprive them of physical interaction, but they might also get left out of informal social interactions such as impromptu chats and casual conversations that often occur in the office. An employee who used to discuss various daily life topics with coworkers might miss those interactions when working from home.

Remote work can blur the boundaries between professional and personal life. Other than the social aspect, working from home can lead to difficulties separating work time from non-work time. One of the common occurrences is the difficulty to mentally switch off from work at the end of the day when one works from their living room as the physical space remains the same. On the other hand, one might struggle focusing or concentrating on work from home due to distractions, such as household chores or family demands, which can hinder productivity. For instance, a remote worker may find it challenging to focus on a project due to interruptions from children or household responsibilities. Either way, it’s important to find various strategies to counter this problem such as preparing a dedicated working space separate from daily life activities. If not properly mitigated, working remotely can cause overworking and difficulty in disengaging from work, or on the contrary, struggling to perform effectively.

Counterintuitively, studies show that working from home can in fact lead to overworking, leading to burn-outs. Remote workers may feel pressured to be constantly available and struggle with overworking. A common case is employee regularly working late into the evening because the home office is always accessible, leading to stress and burnouts. Managers often put misguided expectations that their workers should be active even outside of the agreed working schedule ‘because they’re working from home’. If not managed properly, this can not only cause overstressed workers, but also put a strain on the relationship between coworkers and managers.

Remote working may cause feelings of exclusion and professional insecurity: Remote workers may feel excluded from essential meetings, decisions, or opportunities for career advancement. A lot of career opportunities and professional growth occur when people gather and interact in the same space. Whether it be through personal discussions, maintaining relationships, or even informal interactions. In some cases, remote employees may feel more vulnerable to job insecurity or a lack of company engagement, both of which can negatively affect mental health. For instance, a remote worker might feel disconnected from the company’s culture and concerned about the future of their role, or they may miss out on a promotion or recognition due to physical distance, leading to feelings of being undervalued.

In the world where remote work becomes increasingly accepted, whether it’s the right fit for you or not is a question that requires various in-depth considerations. The impacts on mental health we’ve discussed here can vary widely depending on factors such as the nature of your job, your personality, and even the specific company you work for. What’s important to remember is that not all of the drawbacks listed here will apply to everyone. The decision to work remotely is influenced by a multitude of factors, from logistical considerations to career opportunities and personal priorities. As remote work continues to evolve, it’s important to make decisions that align with your unique circumstances and goals.