The hidden costs of full-time WFH for Gen Z
A fully remote setup can save time and money but also sacrifice growth and progression.
KARIN CHAN20 Jan 2025 11:00am
As attractive as it sounds to avoid long commutes and save money from eating out, WFH may not always be the ultimate worker’s fantasy. Pexels
However, as attractive as it sounds to avoid long commutes and save money from eating out, "work from home" (WFH) may not always be the ultimate worker’s fantasy. This is especially so if we’re talking about a fully remote job and if the employee belongs to Gen Z.
HOW CAN FULL-TIME WFH PUT GEN Z AT A DISADVANTAGE?
Millennials and Baby Boomers have spent more time in traditional in-person work settings. This means they’ve had a longer time to reap the associated benefits, such as developing their soft skills, establishing networks, and climbing the career ladder. As a result, they are less likely to be affected by the downsides of fully remote work.
Gen Z hasn’t yet had the time to build the same solid foundation, with most likely still in the early stages of their career or starting their first job. Thus, working a fully remote job may cause them to experience more isolation, miss out on crucial opportunities for mentorship and progression, and encounter a reduced likelihood of promotion.
WHY DO THE DISADVANTAGES MATTER?
1. Isolation
In a Harvard Business Review survey, 95 per cent of respondents said they believe that in-person meetings are key to successful long-term relationships in the workplace.
However, when you WFH full time, you become more siloed and have far fewer opportunities to organically engage or collaborate with your teammates. This can make it harder to build rapport, which in turn affects work performance and flow.
One Italian study found that WFH employees faced more difficulties requesting and receiving help from colleagues, as well as feeling more isolated and unhappy. Unsurprisingly, a separate study discovered that full-time remote workers have 33 per cent fewer friends at work than in-office workers.
2. Lost learning opportunities
There are many things that are best learned by observing and doing. For instance, you might shadow your boss to a meeting and watch how they interact with the client. Your boss will, in turn, be able to observe how you perform and give you real-time pointers and/or feedback.
Nuances present in face-to-face interaction often get lost when you’re trying to learn via emails, messages, and even video calls — especially when you experience technical issues. Plus, you need to wait for people to see your message, as opposed to walking over to your colleague’s desk and ask for help.
People are also more likely to take you under their wing if they know and have a good relationship with you. But in WFH, engagements can feel transactional and you will get less investment from others.
3. Reduced chances of promotion
In the US, insights by Live Data Technologies revealed that remote workers were promoted almost a third less frequently than office-based workers.
Stanford University economist Nicholas Bloom notes that proximity bias may be a factor, in which remote workers are perceived as less productive, effective, and engaged, as well as easily replaceable, simply because they’re less visible.
Without the opportunity to interact with colleagues, receive feedback and demonstrate aptitude regularly, WFH employees face greater hurdles in proving that they are worthy of advancement.
SHOULD GEN Z AVOID WFH?
Given the issues above, it might come as no surprise to learn that 57 per cent of Gen Zs in the US now prefer in-person jobs, according to Joblist’s 2023 United States Job Market Trends Report. However, this isn’t to say that Gen Z should avoid remote jobs altogether, especially given the well-documented benefits of WFH in terms of time and finances.
In an ideal world, Gen Z may derive the most benefits from a hybrid setup. You would be able to enjoy some flexibility on certain days, and still be able to go into the office for better collaboration on others. However, if you choose a fully remote path, remember that extra effort will be needed to communicate and stand out.
HOW TO STAND OUT WHEN YOU WFH
1. Join online company events, speak up during team meetings, and volunteer information about yourself if relevant.
2. Make sure your work is always timely and of good quality, and do your best to take feedback.
3. Suggest ideas, innovations and process modifications to boost productivity.
4. Volunteer for projects and show initiative. People will notice and appreciate the effort to improve.
As the first generation to enter the workforce post Covid-19, it’s undoubtedly challenging for Gen Z to navigate the changing boundaries of work, especially when it comes to full WFH. If you’re a Gen Z member looking to take this challenge on, remember: it’s important to be realistic about the sacrifices required, but with some effort and control, the benefits of WFH are still very much within reach for you. Work smart, not hard!
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