This post is written from an employee’s perspective. I truly believe that nowdays remote jobs are the only reasonable option for most developers and other IT professionals, and here’s why.
Trip Time
We have approximately 52 weeks in a year, each with 5 working days. Let’s calculate the total number of working days in a year, excluding days off.
52 weeks * 5 days = 260 days
Now, let’s subtract 10 days for public holidays and 20 days for vacation. These values might vary depending on your country and company, but we are trying to estimate a general picture here.
260 days - 10 public holidays - 20 days off = 230 days in an office
Let’s assume you are not in the worst situation and spend an average of 30 minutes commuting to work and back home. Now, calculate the total time spent commuting every year:
230 days in the office * (30 mins * 2) = 13 800 minutes, or 230 hours
How much is that? Let’s list some examples of what you could achieve during a year with that time:
- Read 25+ books of 300 pages each.
- Achieve an A2-B1 level in a foreign language.
- Launch a side hustle or a pet project.
- Exercise, for 45 minutes daily.
- Spend more time on self-care, health, with friends and family.
Even if you work a hybrid position with only two days in the office, a significant amount of time can still be saved and used wisely, making a noticeable difference in the long term.
CO2 Emissions
I’m not an eco-activist, but just imagine how much CO2 is released into the atmosphere by all the transportation used for commuting. Based on this research, the average CO2 emission for a person working in an office is 33.02 kgCO2e per week, compared to only 13.35 kgCO2e per week for those working 100% remotely.
That’s approximately a two-times difference. While this might not severely impact global ecology situation, compared to other sources of CO2, it’s still worth considering. After all, most of us enjoy living in clean places and breathe fresh air.
Traffic Jams
That’s a serious problem for big cities - often the time it takes to get from point A to point B can increase two to three times during peak hours which often match the typical office workday beginning and ending.
Transportation and Other Expenses
Employees typically bear the costs of commuting and lunches. Meals are often fresher and healthier at home (if you prepare them yourself), whereas eating out can be both expensive and less healthy.
Workplace customization
We are fully capable to set up our home office the way we prefer, while when working in an office we often limited to what our employer allows us to do. The situation might be different, as well as some offices might suit you better then others, but what remains unchanged is for everyone is higher level flexibility and customization you have if you work from home.
Earlier wake up time
This isn’t an issue for everyone, but many people enjoy waking up later without the need to to reserve some morning time on their way to office. For some of us it’s also about simplified morning routine, where it’s easier to select clothes by putting on your favorite home look.
Conclusion
Statistical data shows a significant shift toward 100% remote jobs after the COVID-19 pandemic. While some companies are introducing RTO (Return To Office) policies, these decisions often backfire or are used as tools for silent mass layoffs.
I truly believe this transformation towards remote work is taking a positive effect on the industry as a whole.