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Covid brought in a new era for remote work. Companies quickly realized that to stay functional they needed to adapt to the new working conditions. Forbes estimates by the end of 2022 that 25% of all professional jobs will be remote. Remote work opens up a vast amount of opportunities for both employers and employees but doesn’t come without several considerations. Here are five things to think about when accepting a remote job.
Where you will work
It’s important to consider where you will be working while at home. Do you have a quiet, dedicated office space? Do you have reliable internet? Will you need to buy a desk or other office furniture? These are all things to think about when making the leap from working in an office to working at home.
For some, it may not be feasible to work from home, especially if you live in a smaller space or a shared space. If this is the case and you are still looking for a remote job, you may want to consider a co-working space. This may be an added expense, as not all employers will cover this cost.
Technology
Another thing to consider when accepting a remote job, is the technology you will use. Some companies will provide computers, others will make you BYOD (bring your own device). Also, will you require multiple workstations or monitors, a smartphone with a dedicated phone number, or any other equipment? These are all things to bring up during the hiring process.
If your company is a BYOD company, will they provide a stipend for your device to repair or replace it? Also, do you have a backup computer or device in the event yours breaks? What about access to a coffee shop or other internet source in the event of an outage? Again, all things to take into account when making the leap from in office to remote work.
Time Zones
When thinking about working remotely, you need to consider time zones. Many companies will require you to work in a certain time zone regardless of where you are located. For instance, if you live in Los Angeles, but work for a New York based company, they may require you to work in Eastern Time. For some, this may not be feasible, especially if you have children or other obligations. Your work day would start anywhere from 5am to 6am if you work typical office hours.
In addition to time zones, you will need to ask what the typical work hours are. Even though you are working from home, you will still most likely be required to log on by a certain time or be available during set hours. You may also want to gauge the flexibility of the company you are working for. Will you be required to be in meetings at certain times or be available for meetings at certain times, or is it a self-paced role, where you can work before or after typical office hours, so you have more flexibility during your day?
Child care
Child care is often overlooked when working remotely. Many caretakers may choose to work from home for more flexibility with childcare, but this comes with its own pros and cons.
Some of the pros of working from home in regards to childcare include:
Significant cost savings compared to full time care
Being around your children more
Less commuting, especially when gas prices are higher
More authority over their day and schedule
Some of the cons of working from home in regards to childcare include:
More noise. If you like a quiet work environment, then working from home with children may not be an ideal fit for you.
More distractions
Juggling being a full-time parent and a full-time employee
No alone time. If you are one that likes to indulge in “self-care” or errands during your lunch hour, this may be harder if you work from home with no childcare.
It’s important to gauge your employer's take on childcare during the hiring process. While you don’t have to divulge if you have children, it’s important to see if they prioritize a quiet working environment, free of distractions. For example, if you are in sales or in a customer-facing position, you may want to opt for childcare or a nanny to assist during the day to reduce distractions and noise.
Money
Money is obviously a big factor when considering a remote job. While you may have cost savings in regards to childcare or less commuting, you could end up making less due to the cost of living where you are located. Companies often determine salaries based on where the company is located versus the employee.
For example, the average base salary for a Marketing Manager according to Indeed is $65,801. However, it’s about 13% higher than average in California and about 17% lower than average in Florida. While it may be beneficial to work for a California-based company in Florida, it may not be beneficial to work for a Florida-based company in California. However, taxes are higher in California than in Florida, where there isn’t a state income tax. With all that said, you will need to really consider the finances behind the remote position and how much you really will be making.
Also, take into consideration that money isn’t everything. It’s important to factor in the benefits package as a whole. You could potentially be saving money with health insurance, have a more flexible work schedule, or even paid maternity or paternity leave. All things that are very beneficial in today’s times.
Making the decision to work remotely isn’t something to take lightly. It comes with many pros and cons. It’s important to really get to know the company you will be working for and their policies before accepting a work-from-home position. With a good plan and structure in place, you can be very successful in the remote working world.
Ready to start your remote job hunt? Contact us today to see the remote options we have available for you!