The Covid-19 pandemic has seriously affected the labor market. Employers transferred employees to a remote mode of operation, scientists are trying to understand how the new conditions will affect us and what will happen if we keep them. Some large companies are already thinking about closing their offices and points of sale in favor of working through the Internet, and Twitter invited all employees to stay on the remote forever.
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According to a study conducted by the company IWG (International Workplace Group), before the pandemic, 80% of respondents would prefer a position with more flexible working conditions. In April this year, the commercial real estate provider Nursery presented his research, where he showed that 29% of people who switched to remote work, feel less productive than in the office, despite the control of their bosses.
At the same time, some companies noted that the hybrid mode of operation (combining an office and a remote office) seems to them effective, and they are going to use it further. But such a schedule can affect people’s health. Job search platform DirectlyApply showed what consequences await the “remote” workers if they do not change their daily habits.
Its creators invited a group of clinical psychologists and fitness experts to study how udalenka affects a person physically and psychologically. Experts explained what changes will occur with this mode of operation after 25 years. As a result, Susan appeared – a model of a typical remote employee of the future, on which they analyze in detail all the negative consequences.
50% of people around the world work outside the office for approximately 2.5 days
So, standing in front of the monitor will cause “computer vision syndrome”, in which the eyes become dry and sore, and vision becomes blurred. In addition, red spots will begin to appear on the squirrels, and large bruises under the eyes.
Lack of physical activity and seat in the wrong position will lead to curvature of the spine, back and neck pain, obesity and «tech neck» (the effect of constantly viewing mobile devices and tablets): the skin sagging around the neck, a second chin will appear. From constant work on the keyboard, the hands are deformed. A lack of vitamin D will cause hair loss, the skin will turn pale, dull and wrinkle.
Finally, a person working remotely will be constantly under stress, which will cause a mode of work and lack of personal contacts. From this, in turn, blood pressure rises, and the state of health worsens even more.
To preserve it, the authors of the study advise to adhere to several rules. It is important to maintain a constant mode of work, regularly perform physical exercises and from time to time go out to recover after a day at the computer. Psychologist Rachel Allan notes: “Adhering to one lifestyle and level of productivity is necessary to maintain emotional health when working remotely. Routine gives us the opportunity to manage our time and maintain our attention. Think about how you want to manage your time and what will work best in the wider context of your life. ”
One of the main problems that we encounter when working remotely is the lack of direct contact with people. Staying alone for long periods can increase the level of the stress hormone cortisol. Dr. Allan believes that “some of our most important professional relationships come from informal conversations and unstructured moments that organically arise in the physical workplace.” According to her, “remote work may require us to consciously create opportunities for informal communication with colleagues.”
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