The Pros and Cons of Remote Work

By: Colton Roberson

Photo Curtesy of James Madison University

After the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020 meant everyone needed to keep their distance, the world has seen a rise in remote work. The ability to work from home instead of in person has been revolutionized by conference call platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, allowing employees to remain connected without needing to be in the same building or even the same city. 

The concept of working from home, commonly referred to as WFH, is often divisive. Some executives would prefer to allow employees to remain remote, while others have pushed for return to office strategies (RTOs). Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, for example, sent an internal message in September of 2024 saying,  “our expectation is that people will be in the office outside of extenuating circumstances,” outlining the benefits of working in an office space, such as ease of collaboration, learning, and strengthening culture. Others, such as Dropbo, have chosen to remain mostly virtual. In October of 2020, Dropbox announced its “virtual first” approach to business model, allowing the majority of its employees to work fully remote. 

When pursuing the opportunity to join the corporate workforce full-time and deciding whether to work remotely or in person, it's important to consider your values and what you hope to get out of a job. There is no correct answer, and reasoning may differ from person to person. Consider some of the pros and cons of working remotely. 

Pros 

Expanded pool of employment opportunities

Remote work has become a draw for both applicants and a recruitment tool for companies. The practice allows applicants from across the country to throw their hat in the ring without location being a barrier to employment. 

Financial gain 

With the cost of living continuing to rise, remote work appeals to many being able to work for a company located in a major city without having to pay the cost of living in a major city. Employees have the freedom to live in a more reasonably priced area. Commuting from bed to desk, employees do not spend money on gas or public transit to and from work every day.  

Limited distractions 

Working from home means that employees can design their space to fit their needs, removing distractions that would be present in an office space. They do not have to worry about bustling background noise or people coming to interrupt their work, which allows them to work more efficiently.

Cons

Difficulty cultivating office relationships and networks 

All corporations require some level of collaboration with coworkers, such as stopping by a coworker's office to ask a question or for quick feedback. This is often much easier in person rather than sending them as an instant message. This loss of face-to-face interaction can lead teams to work less cohesively and produce lower-quality work.

Isolation from the outside world 

Remote work can pose a unique challenge: loneliness. For adults living by themselves, remote work may not fulfill their social needs. In Gallup’s 2024 State of the Global Workplace report, remote employees were more likely to feel daily loneliness, sadness, and stress as opposed to their in-person counterparts. 

In-person/remote bias 

According to a 2024 Wall Street Journal article, remote workers often lose out on promotions in favor of in-person employees. Remote workers are promoted 31% less frequently than their in-office counterparts, and 90% of surveyed CEOs said that they are more likely to give favorable assignments, promotions, and raises to in-person employees. 

While opinions on remote work versus in-person work vary from person to person, your personal right answer to the remote versus in person debate may not be right for those around you. Take your time before applying for jobs to consider what you value most. Knowing what creates the best work-life balance for you means that you are that much more equipped to find a job that leaves you fulfilled professionally and personally.