Strengths and weaknesses of remote work: a review of the literature

Abstract

At the onset of Covid-19 lockdowns in March 2020, companies sent many workers home for what was expected to be a two-week effort to “flatten the curve.” The purpose of this study is to explore the strengths and weaknesses of remote work that was mandated because of Covid-19 and provide a synthesis of the findings to further the discussion of the organizational policies for the post-Covid-19 workforce. This research seeks to identify and highlight the impact of remote work implemented during Covid-19 through a literature review to further the discussion of remote work policies in a post-Covid-19 workforce. Key themes for employee strengths are productivity, flexibility, commutes, skills, work-life balance, collaboration, and autonomy. Key themes for employee weaknesses are work-life balance, stress, workload, isolation, workspace, technology, flexibility, communication, collaboration, change, burnout, and anxiety. Key themes for employer strengths are productivity, technology, costs, recruiting and retention, and collaboration. Key themes for employer weaknesses are technology, management, productivity, flexibility, and collaboration.