Authored by Samantha Flom via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
Various aspects of daily life underwent significant transformations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent government responses.
The implementation of lockdowns rapidly led to the establishment of a remote working environment that has persisted to this day.
Despite efforts from some employers to coax their employees back to the office, a majority (52 percent) of U.S. workers still express a preference for remote work at least part of the time, as per an April survey by Morning Consult.
As attitudes continue to shift in the post-COVID landscape, it is becoming increasingly apparent to many workers and businesses that the future of work lies somewhere between fully in-person and entirely remote.
Allie Clough, based in Columbus, Ohio, has predominantly worked remotely throughout her professional career.
Having completed her graduate studies at the peak of the pandemic, Clough only briefly experienced working in an office setting before transitioning to her current role as a freelance writer. While she has not yet started a family, she believes that the flexibility of remote work will be invaluable to her when that time comes.
“As a woman in my twenties, one of the most significant advantages I see in remote work is the potential for it to better accommodate family life,” she shared with The Epoch Times.
Having recently relocated from Washington to Columbus, Clough works remotely full-time, while her partner follows a hybrid schedule—a dynamic that she believes has strengthened their relationship.
“I don’t think we could have dated at all if we didn’t both have some level of remote work,” she explained. “It has allowed us to maintain our jobs without sacrificing time together. And once work is done for the day, we can be together.”
Before the pandemic, Clough admitted that the idea of balancing motherhood and a career seemed daunting. However, with the rise of remote work, she no longer fears having to choose one over the other.
“The increased flexibility in the workplace makes me much more optimistic about the idea of starting a family and raising children, especially seeing women I work with being able to seamlessly transition back into the workforce, even in managerial or leadership roles,” she remarked.
Katie Bridge, from College Station, Texas, has also experienced the benefits of remote work following the pandemic.
Prior to COVID-19, Bridge was a stay-at-home mother of two. She now works as a communications strategist at Lockheed Martin, operating from home four days a week for ten hours each day.
“I absolutely love it,” she expressed regarding her current work setup. “My kids know that Fridays are my non-working days, so that’s when we get to plan activities together.”
A former U.S. Army veteran, Bridge paused her career for six years to raise her children when remote work was not as prevalent.
According to Bridge, remote work options were previously limited to roles like call center representatives, which require a quiet work environment.
“With two young children, there’s no such thing as a quiet space for eight hours a day,” she pointed out.
However, amidst the global shift towards remote work during and after the pandemic, Bridge found the confidence to rejoin the workforce in a role that began as hybrid but has since transitioned to fully remote.
“One of the key aspects on my resume was my time as a stay-at-home mom. There is no job that demands as much as being a stay-at-home mom,” she emphasized.
“The level of multitasking as a parent far exceeds anything I’ve encountered, whether in the Army or at Lockheed.”
Diverse Perspectives
The family-friendly reputation of remote work may explain why women are still actively seeking such opportunities at higher rates than men.
A survey conducted by Indeed Job Search between July 2021 and December 2023 revealed that women were nearly 25 percent more likely than men to prioritize remote work in their job search.
This finding aligns with a 2021 study by LinkedIn indicating that women were 26 percent more inclined than men to apply for remote positions.
According to Ryan Niddel, CEO of wellness company MIT45, these trends are entirely logical.
“I believe that men still retain a hunter-gatherer protector instinct deep within them,” he theorized. “Women, on the other hand, tend to prioritize the creation and nurturing of family bonds.”
From Niddel’s perspective, it is logical that women would feel more productive in a home environment, while he personally thrives in an office setting, being approximately 20 percent more productive.
“I conducted a series of time management assessments on my computer to quantify this,” he explained.
While working from home posed distractions for Niddel, the office environment allowed him to concentrate on his tasks. Separating work and personal life, he found, enhanced his relationships and productivity in both areas.
Rejecting the notion of achieving work-life balance as an unattainable goal, Niddel emphasized the importance of giving full attention to each aspect of life when necessary.
“My aim is to be fully present in the moment and place where I find myself. This requires a lack of balance but ensures complete commitment to the task at hand,” he concluded.
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