The Advent of a Work from Home Workforce

The change was inevitable, really. While the pandemic fuelled the rise of working from home, the advent of the work from home workforce was going to happen. Businesses would have no doubt realized and recognized the power of technology that made it possible. Outside of jobs that require a physical presence, such as factory jobs, manufacturing, and the service industry, many companies have adjusted to the change better than they might have expected.

While not every company can have everyone working from home, the more people we have working from home will cause a greater impact. Here’s how the advent of the remote working workforce has changed the world – and continues to do so:

1. Commuting

Remote workers have no need to commute to the office. Less commuters mean fewer cars on the road. This is good for emissions and the environment, but it’s bad for the economy and government because less people are going to get fines and tickets. As dystopian as that sounds. Fewer people driving also means less gas being used, which means oil companies miss out and less money is collected in taxes.

2. Office Buildings

Why would anyone need office space if people aren’t going to use it? There’s sure to be less demand for office space, with more buildings open to tenancy. It’s likely some downtown properties will be converted for other uses, such as being turned into apartments or other commercial buildings.

3. Disconnected Downtown

Downtown businesses and restaurants are sure to see fewer people. There’s already been an economic impact with fewer people buying breakfast or lunch on their commute. Coffee shops, retailers, and restaurants depend on that foot traffic and could be hit hard.

4. Spending in the Suburbs

With downtown emptier than usual, money will start to reach the further edges of the city. People working at home want bigger homes with more space for their home offices. They will move further into the suburbs where they can get bigger homes at cheaper prices.

5. Employee Struggles

Working from home isn’t for everyone. Some people have been forced to a new way of working and are having trouble adjusting. However, others have flourished and don’t want to return to the office at all. More support could be offered to those who are struggling to work from home.

Change is never easy, but it is always rewarding. More people working from home is bound to have both a positive and negative impact on those employees, the companies they work for, and the country/world as a whole. Some organizations will eventually bring people back to the office while others will adopt hybrid models. One option isn’t necessarily better than the other, but it’s good to have a choice and to see the continued impact of the remote workforce.