Working Remotely

In light of the current situation, how has your perspective changed now that your have
been put in the throes of remote working? Think of your current experience when
answering the following questions.

1. What are some benefits of working remotely?

For me one of the main benefits of working remotely is that you can work in a place
that is comfortable for you. For example, in my house, I can work from a place where
I can totally concentrate and create a good working environment for myself as
opposed to the classroom. Another advantage of working remotely is that I no longer
have to get up early to get ready and do the ride form my home to the school. More
generally, a person who works in the Paris suburbs and has to go to work in the center
of Paris, for example, will avoid the stress or loss of time from public transport or
traffic jams if he/she works remotely. Staying at home will allows him/her to start the
day with a better condition.
In addition, working remotely allow the worker/student to be more autonomous and
responsible. For example, I manage my own schedule so that I can choose working
hours where I am more productive. To conclude, working remotely allows you not to
be distracted by your colleague or a constant phone call especially when you work in
the open space.

2. Can anyone work remotely? Why or why not? Could you?

Not everyone can work remotely because in order to work remotely, the tasks must be
done by telephone or computer (a craftsman cannot do work remotely for example). It
is also crucial to have the necessary tools at home to work remotely. For example, a
designer or an engineer can work with sophisticated applications that he/she can't
have with his/her own computer.
In addition, it is also necessary that the worker has some qualities and personality trait
that allow him/her to work well remotely. For example, to be successful at work, the
worker must be well organized and know how to manage his/her time. The worker
must have a good concentration because there exist a lot of distraction when you work
at home so he/she must stay focus in her/him work even if there exist distraction. The
worker should like to be independent indeed his/her manager will no be behind
his/her back to tell him/her what he/she should do.
I think I can work remotely but I would prefer alternate working remotely and in the
office. Indeed, I will like to be at home and have my own independence, but I will
prefer also to have a physical contact with my colleague or my manager because for
me it’s also important to create a good relationship and network at work and work
remotely make this more difficult. To conclude, sometimes it’s better and easier to do
a project when you see the person in physique than with the screen.

3. Is it only the employee who benefits from this?  if no, then who else and
why?
No, it’s not only the employee who benefits from this. For me, employers (so the
company) and families can also benefit from this.
For employers, having employee who work remotely can be a cost saving for the
company. Indeed, they can save money on office supplier or space rate. Besides, as
their employees don’t have a ride to do, they have more time to work and progress
rapidly on the different task. In addition, when workers work at home, they are more
productive because they are more efficient when they work in an environment
comfortable and favorable to work so that can benefit the company.
For the families, working remotely permit to have close to him. For example, if the
worker is a mother or father, I think the kids will appreciate that their parent are at
home.

4. Are there any down sides to working remotely? 

Yes, there exists down sides to working remotely. Firstly, employees or student can
have more distraction at home than in her/him workplace or school. For example, at
home we can be distracted by TV, Netflix, brothers and sisters or children easily.
Secondly, working remotely provoke a lack of relationship among coworkers, indeed,
even if you can talk with your colleague in videoconference or chat, it difficult to
build a good relationship and a team spirit. Thirdly, it could be difficult for a person to
balance professional and personal life if he/she stay at home to work. Indeed, as there
is not a distinct separation between time work and time free with the family, the
employee can focus constantly in work and not enjoy time away from his/her job.
Finally, in relation to the video that we saw in class (videoconference between
coworkers), the communication between the coworkers and manager can be difficult
during a meeting or in general because you can’t focus properly, and you can be
distracted.

5. What advice would give someone who wants to work remotely?

The first advice that I can give is to create a good working atmosphere. It’s important,
for example, to tell your family our work schedule in order to not be disturb or to turn
off your phone or certain apps so as not to be tempted to use it. Secondly, is crucial
that you set up a schedule to organize well your time of work and your break. For
example, you can set an alarm to help you to separate the different time of your
journey. It’s essential also, that during your break you move to a different place in
order to have a good separation between your workplace and your break. Thirdly, it’s
important that you keep a good communication with your colleague when you work
remotely. Indeed, you should be clear and ask all the question when you communicate
in chat or videoconference,

6. What would you change?

In working remotely, I will change nothing because I found that Microsoft team is a
good tool to communicate with professor or my colleague. I can easily find the
different assignment and upload the different tasks. However, I think it could be even
better if we receive a notification when all the teacher uploads a course or an
assignment or when there are questions.