You can’t read a paper or look at a news site without seeing a story about how the pandemic changed the rules for work — notably how working from home is the new norm.
But there’s nothing “norm” about it.
Covid forced everyone out the office and into their basements, bedrooms, and kitchens. And it sounds like it was a success. Many employers, the same ones who used to resist telecommuting, found that productivity actually increased without employees coming to the office.
Cool, people are doing more work. But here’s the thing: this is another intrusion through the wall that used to exist between work and your personal life. And it’s a huge one.
It’s a long time now that people have been unable to escape work thanks to email and mobile phones. More recently, folks can “remote in” and it’s just like being at your desk. Covid took things a step further, by literally moving your office into your house.
What used to be a refuge from the nine to five world is now just another cubicle.
Don’t get me wrong, there are some good things about working from home, but overall, it signals the erosion of a sacred space.
How many of you have been on vacation and seen family or friends unable to unplug from work because of their phone? The next thing you know, they’ll just be full out working for a part –or all — of the day.
It wasn’t that long ago that no aspect of remote working was technically possible. And you know what? Shit still got done, even without you there. Imagine that.
Do yourself a favor: turn it off.
I’m retired but when I was working full time I thought no one else could do what I do.
I had a hard time turning it off.
Good post-thanks