Remote Work: Ensuring Flexibility Without Overwhelm

In today’s work landscape, the concept of remote work has brought about a remarkable change by offering flexibility while simultaneously introducing new challenges regarding work-life balance. In her latest article, Marissa Goldberg illustrates how to achieve flexibility in work life without compromising health.

Flexibility in Reality

Goldberg describes a common misconception: While she advocates for flexible working, she has been criticized for handling emails at unusual times. What is often overlooked is that Goldberg, as a mother, also has family commitments during the day. She argues that flexibility is not achieved through fixed working hours but through individually tailored structures.

The classic 9-to-5 workday is often considered the golden standard for healthy working, which does not always apply in the context of remote work. Goldberg emphasizes that healthy working also means adapting the workday to personal life conditions.

Tips for Balanced Flexible Work

Goldberg offers three essential recommendations to healthily integrate flexibility into remote work:

1. Set realistic expectations: Define fixed moments for joint coordination and clear response times, with an additional channel for urgent situations rarely being necessary.
2. Create clear digital boundaries: It is important to disable notifications outside of working hours and foster an environment that does not rely on immediate availability.
3. Discover personal work rhythms: Instead of adhering to traditional working hours, it is advised to follow one’s own peak energy times and plan the workday accordingly.

Benefits for Employees

For employees, the flexibility of remote work offers numerous advantages:

• Increased work-life balance: Employees can structure their work around personal commitments such as childcare or other family responsibilities.
• Reduced commuting: Without the need to travel to the office, workers gain time that can be used for personal or professional interests.
• Tailored productivity: Employees can work at times that align with their natural energy peaks, leading to increased efficiency and satisfaction.

Challenges for Employers

However, the shift to flexible remote work also presents challenges for employers:

• Coordination effort: Maintaining coherent communication and collaboration in asynchronous work environments can be complex.
• Loss of control: Employers may feel they have less control over employees’ workflows and schedules.
• Dependence on technology: A greater focus on digital communication requires reliable technical infrastructure and can increase security requirements.

Conclusion: Flexibility as an Opportunity

Goldberg’s insights suggest that flexibility in work should not equate to constant availability. Rather, it offers the opportunity to design the workday to accommodate individual life situations without compromising personal health.

This type of adaptation requires a shift in the understanding of work. It is important to give space to asynchronous work, although many companies and cultures have not yet fully embraced this flexibility. Taking the step towards a healthier, more flexible work approach means letting go of old norms and discovering innovative approaches to teamwork and personal productivity.