How Working Remotely Will Change More Than Work

Summary

This video explores the changing nature of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the shift from office-based jobs to remote work. It discusses the benefits and challenges of this transition, such as improved productivity, flexibility, and better work-life balance, while also addressing the downsides like difficulty separating personal and professional lives. The video also touches on broader societal impacts, including changes to urban life, commuting, and the possibility of hybrid work models, as well as the environmental and lifestyle benefits of reduced commuting.

Takeaways

• 🏡 The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant shift towards remote work, with many employees working from home, which has resulted in a more content, motivated, and productive workforce.
• 🚗 Commuting, which is often considered the worst part of the day for many professionals, has been identified as a major cause of stress and has negative impacts on health and well-being.
• 🔍 Studies have shown that long commutes can lead to a decrease in exercise, less time spent at home, and even an increased risk of separation for couples.
• 🌐 The pandemic has highlighted the benefits of flexible working, with remote work proving to be a viable alternative to traditional office environments.
• 🏢 Companies like SK Telecom have successfully implemented remote work policies, allowing employees to work from home or local offices, which has increased work motivation and family time.
• 🤔 While remote work has its advantages, some research suggests that commuting can provide a necessary separation between personal and professional life, which is now being reevaluated.
• 📈 Productivity can improve with flexible working arrangements, challenging the myth that remote work leads to decreased efficiency.
• 🏙️ The shift to remote work may lead to changes in urban planning, with potential for more distributed living and working spaces, and a reconfiguration of city infrastructure.
• 🌿 The potential for a 'polycentric city' model is discussed, where daily necessities are within a 15-minute reach, reducing transit times and emissions, and promoting more sustainable and equitable access to services.
• 🔗 Companies may need to adapt to support workers in the new normal, possibly offering sponsored co-working spaces closer to where employees live or allowing for a hybrid work model.

Q & A

How has the Coronavirus pandemic impacted the traditional workday?

The Coronavirus pandemic has forced a sudden shift to remote work, with many people working from home, leading to a more content, motivated, and productive workforce.

What are the general global sentiments about commuting to work?

Globally, two fifths of professionals consider the commute to be the worst part of their day, with commuting being a major cause of stress impacting physiological health and wellbeing.

What are the specific negative effects of long commutes on personal life?

Long commutes can lead to less time at home, less exercise, and less healthy food choices. Additionally, a study found that commuting long distances increases the risk of separation in relationships by 40%.

How has the shift to remote work affected employees like Park Jong Han?

For Park Jong Han, working from home or a local office reduced his commute time from three hours to 15 minutes, increasing his time with family and motivation to work harder.

What challenges did employees face initially when transitioning to remote work?

In the beginning, employees like Park Jong Han felt exhausted due to the lack of a clear boundary between work and rest, as work could intrude at any time and place.

How does the script suggest that organizations can benefit from flexible working?

Organizations can benefit from increased productivity, longer workdays, and better management of processes when they effectively implement and manage flexible working arrangements.

What are the potential changes to urban planning and city life due to the shift in work patterns?

The script suggests that the changes in work patterns could lead to a more distributed city model, with a focus on local living and working, potentially reducing transit times and GHG emissions.

How might the concept of a 'polycentric city' or a '15-minute city' affect urban living?

A 'polycentric city' or '15-minute city' model could make cities more livable by reducing commute times, increasing access to services, and promoting a more sustainable and equitable urban environment.

What are the potential benefits of companies offering sponsored co-working spaces closer to employees' homes?

Offering co-working spaces closer to employees' homes can decrease commute times, increase work satisfaction, and provide a more balanced work-life integration.

How has the pandemic influenced the expectations of workers regarding their work-from-home arrangements?

Over 90% of people in a recent survey indicated they would not return to the office full time after COVID, showing a strong preference for continued remote or flexible work options.

What are the potential long-term effects of the pandemic on the nature of work and city infrastructure?

The pandemic may lead to a more widespread adoption of remote work, influencing city infrastructure to become more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly, and potentially changing the way we use and distribute services within cities.

Outlines

00:00

🏡 Remote Work's Impact on Work-Life Balance

The first paragraph discusses the shift to remote work due to the Coronavirus pandemic and its effects on the workforce. It highlights the benefits of working from home, such as increased contentment, motivation, and productivity among employees. The paragraph also points out the downsides of commuting, including its contribution to stress and health issues, and the negative impact on personal life, such as reduced time with family and less healthy lifestyle choices. The narrative includes a personal account from Park Jong Han, who experienced a significant reduction in commute time and an increase in work motivation and family time after his company, SK Telecom, adopted remote work policies. The paragraph concludes by questioning whether traditional office work will return post-pandemic and emphasizes the need for a balance between work and personal life.

05:00

🔄 The Evolution of Flexible Working

The second paragraph delves into the concept of flexible working, exploring its benefits and the resistance from some employers due to perceived loss of control and productivity concerns. It presents research findings that suggest productivity can improve with flexible working arrangements when managed effectively. The paragraph discusses the advantages for workers, such as autonomy over work schedules and locations, and the potential for employers to benefit from longer workdays, as indicated by a study from Harvard and New York University. The narrative also touches on the importance of clear processes and fair treatment in implementing flexible work policies. It includes a case study from a Stanford research that showed a 13% increase in productivity among remote workers and discusses the possibility of a hybrid work model, combining home and office work. The paragraph concludes with insights on how the changing work landscape might affect urban planning and the potential for a more distributed city model.

10:02

🌆 The Future of Urban Living and Work

The third paragraph speculates on the future of urban living and work in the context of remote work and its potential to reshape cities. It discusses the concept of the 'polycentric city' and the '15-minute city,' where daily necessities are accessible within a short distance, reducing transit times and greenhouse gas emissions. The paragraph also addresses the challenges faced by essential workers who are geographically bound to their workplaces and the potential for more equitable distribution of services. It mentions the opportunities for microentrepreneurship and innovation in a more flexible urban environment. The narrative includes perspectives from Alice Shay, an urban planner, who misses the social aspects of commuting and the potential for streetscapes to be reconfigured for better urban mobility and distribution. The paragraph concludes with the idea that companies may adapt by offering sponsored co-working spaces closer to employees' homes, reflecting a broader shift in work culture and urban design in response to the pandemic.

Keywords

💡Remote Work

Remote work refers to a work arrangement in which employees perform their work outside of a traditional office setting, often from home. In the context of the video, remote work has become a necessity due to the Coronavirus pandemic, leading to a significant shift in the way people work. It has resulted in benefits such as increased productivity and a better work-life balance, as exemplified by Park Jong Han's experience, who now appreciates the time saved from not commuting.

💡Workforce Productivity

Workforce productivity is a measure of the efficiency of a workforce within a specific time frame, often expressed as the ratio of output to input. The video suggests that remote work can lead to increased productivity, as employees may have more time and better conditions to focus on their tasks, which is supported by a study mentioned where working from home resulted in a 48-minute longer workday.

💡Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance refers to the equilibrium between an individual's work and personal life. The video discusses how remote work can improve work-life balance by reducing commuting times and stress, allowing employees like Park Jong Han to spend more quality time with their families, which was not possible with a long commute.

💡Commute

Commute describes the journey that workers make from their home to their workplace and back. The video highlights the negative impacts of long commutes on health, relationships, and overall quality of life. It also points out that the pandemic has led to a reevaluation of commuting habits, with many now working from home or closer locations.

💡Flexible Working

Flexible working is a management approach that allows employees to have more control over when and where they work. The video suggests that flexible working can lead to a happier and more autonomous workforce, as it provides the opportunity to avoid rush hour traffic and work from different locations, which can positively impact productivity and job satisfaction.

💡Hybrid Work Model

A hybrid work model combines remote work with traditional office work, allowing employees to split their time between working from home and the office. The video proposes that a hybrid model might become the norm post-pandemic, where employees might work from home for certain tasks and come to the office for collaborative work, thus blending the benefits of both environments.

💡Urban Planning

Urban planning is the process of designing and shaping the physical and social aspects of cities and towns. The video touches on how the pandemic's impact on work habits could influence urban planning, with the potential for cities to become more 'polycentric,' offering a mix of work, living, and recreational spaces in a more distributed manner.

💡Polycentric City

A polycentric city is an urban planning concept where multiple centers provide a variety of services and opportunities, reducing the need for long-distance commuting. The video suggests that the pandemic might accelerate the move towards polycentric cities, where daily necessities are within a 15-minute reach, promoting more sustainable and equitable urban living.

💡Serviced Office

A serviced office is a type of flexible workspace that企业提供 fully equipped and furnished offices, often available on short-term leases. The video mentions that the demand for serviced offices has increased during the pandemic, as companies look for ways to reduce commute times and provide flexible working options for their employees.

💡Social Distancing

Social distancing refers to the practice of maintaining a certain physical distance between people to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The video discusses how the need for social distancing has influenced the use of urban spaces, potentially leading to a reconfiguration of streetscapes to prioritize pedestrian movement and public transportation.

💡Essential Workers

Essential workers are those who perform jobs that are crucial to the functioning of society, such as healthcare professionals, grocery store workers, and public transportation operators. The video points out that while many white-collar workers have shifted to remote work, essential workers remain geographically bound to their workplaces, highlighting the need for equitable distribution of resources and services.

Highlights

The Coronavirus has led to a successful shift to remote work for many.

Remote work has resulted in a more content, motivated, and productive workforce.

Long commutes are a major cause of stress and negatively impact health and well-being.

Commuting reduces the time available for exercise and leads to less healthy food choices.

Long-distance commuting increases the risk of separation in relationships by 40%.

Before the pandemic, millions of workers spent over 90 minutes daily commuting.

SK Telecom's shift to remote work has saved employees up to three hours per day.

Remote work allows for more quality time with family and improved work-life balance.

Initial exhaustion from remote work was common due to lack of separation between work and rest.

Flexible working can improve productivity when managed effectively.

Workers with scheduling autonomy tend to be happier and more productive.

Harvard and New York University study found a 48-minute longer workday for remote workers.

Clear processes and fair treatment are key to successful flexible working.

A Stanford study showed a 13% increase in productivity for remote workers.

A hybrid work model combining remote work and office collaboration may become the norm.

The shift to remote work has led to changes in urban planning and city living.

Urban planners are considering the potential for more equitable city distribution post-pandemic.

The pandemic may accelerate the move towards a polycentric city model.

Companies like Twitter and Facebook are considering making remote work permanent.

The pandemic has had a significant impact on work culture, potentially leading to long-term changes.

Transcripts

Remember when Monday mornings

were like this?

They're a bit different now.

While those of us lucky to be working

are now doing so from a spare bedroom

or a kitchen table, the Coronavirus has forced

a sudden and mostly successful pivot

to working away from the office.

While the circumstances are unwelcome,

there are some benefits to this style of working.

You have a more content workforce,

a more motivated workforce,

and also a more productive and efficient workforce as well.

So when the Coronavirus is behind us,

will our workday ever be the same again?

We spend a lot of our time traveling to work

and for most, the commute is getting longer

all over the world.

Globally, two fifths of professionals consider

the commute to be the worst part of their day.

Commuting has been found to be a major cause

for stress that impacts on our physiological health

and as well, wellbeing.

The total working day gets longer,

you get less time at home,

you do less exercises when you have long commutes,

you also cook less healthy food.

I followed Swedish couples over a 10-year period

and we found that commuting long distances to work

over one hour increases the risk of separation.

Overall we find that it's a 40% increase

of risk of separating.

Before the pandemic, approximately 25 million

U.S. workers spent more than 90 minutes

getting to and from their jobs every day.

In South Korea, one in four workers

has a journey that long.

One of those people is Park Jong Han,

a manager at a major telecoms company.

Basically, I throw away three hours of my daytime

just to get to work and to come back home.

Since February, SK Telecom

has instructed its employees, including Jong Han,

to work from home, or if suitable,

to work from smaller, local offices

in the surrounding neighborhoods of Seoul.

One of the mobile offices, if I walk,

it takes about 15 minutes.

I truly appreciate the time,

and it actually comes back to motivation to work harder.

It's not just time, it's very quality time that I spend

instead of you know, getting stuck in a bus,

stuck in traffic somewhere, you cannot compare.

The amount of time that I spent with my family

really increased, you know?

During lunchtime, I can have lunchtime with my son.

Have you just shortened your hours

and you're able to go and, like you said,

exercise more or do you find yourself

working more as a result?

Because it's been too long, I totally forgot about it,

but in the very beginning when this program started,

I was exhausted actually, during the first few days

because there's no place for rest, right?

Because I need to work anywhere,

wherever I go, my mind was always on work

and when I talked to the teammates,

they actually felt the same, in the beginning.

But after a few weeks, I think everyone found

their own way to work

and now I know how to adjust, you know,

myself into, you know, work mode versus rest mode and so on.

So losing that journey into work

could be good for us.

But research claims our commute can also provide us

with a means to separate our personal

and professional lives

And in a world of 10-second

bed-to-laptop commutes,

that's a chance for some me time.

But while journey times were already generally on the up,

more of us were actually starting to commute less

thanks to a relatively new trend:

Flexible working.

Increasingly we have seen people remote working

from lots of different locations.

There has been a reluctance to encourage flexible working,

perhaps because managers see it as a loss of control,

it can be quite difficult to manage people

who you don't necessarily see on a day to day basis,

there might be concerns around efficiency

or productivity.

And is that a bit of a myth,

or is any of that born out in fact?

What we found is that productivity

can actually improve as a result of flexible working

and there isn't necessarily any impact

upon the business, if it's managed effectively.

There's quite a lot of benefits.

There is an opportunity for workers

to have more autonomy over their scheduling,

over when they work and where they work

and when people have that degree of autonomy,

it does lead to a workforce that is happier.

You may have flexibility over the time

that you have to go into work or the time

that you can come home so that you're able to avoid

rush hour traffic and if you're working from home

a few days a week or completely at home,

then obviously you can avoid the commuting altogether

and there's also benefits for employers.

A study by Harvard and New York University

found that for those working from home,

the workday is 48 minutes longer,

probably replacing that time you spent commuting.

There's significant benefits for organizations

that are able to manage these kind of processes effectively.

So what actions can organizations implement

to harness the power of flexible working?

They need to have very clear processes and procedures

around operating flexible work

so that everybody has the same expectations.

One department allows the majority of their employees

to work flexibly and another department

which is led by another line manager

who has a different view, then you might find

that flexible working isn't as supported as much.

You need to treat people consistently

and in a fair way but you also need to recognize

that there can be individual differences

in how people adapt to flexible working.

It will suit some people but not others,

so you do need to have a degree of flexibility

yourself as a manager in how you manage teams

and how you manage people.

And this flexibility can lead to productivity.

A two-year Stanford study of 1,000 employees

at one company found that working

from a home office resulted in

a 13% increase in productivity

and 50% of them were less likely to quit.

Despite this, half of them still wanted to go back

to the office nine months later,

even though their average commute was 40 minutes each way.

Another survey conducted by Bain and Company

on its own employees, found that productivity increased

for some thanks to no commute and an ability

to focus better at home, but also decreased for others

due to a lack of work mindset

and a dedicated workspace.

So perhaps we'll start to see a more hybrid style

become the norm, where for some days we work from home

for specific solo tasks

and others we travel to the office

to meet and collaborate with the team.

The changing nature of our working lives

has already led to many white-collar workers

leaving the city or moving further out,

to find more space, some greenery,

or to escape the urban beeps and bustle.

One person who misses the commute is Alice Shay,

an urban planner and designer.

I miss riding the subway.

Riding the subway is one of those incredible experiences

in New York City, it's got its highs

and it's got its lows, but honestly,

the subway system in New York City

is one of the greatest levers for equity that we have.

It is one price to get all the way across the city.

Many of us are now working from home, you know,

or at least for a couple of days of the week.

Will where we live drastically change, do you think?

We're in a moment where commutes can be zero,

so what does that mean for how we are distributed

across our settlements and urban agglomerations?

I think it provides a lot of flexibility

for certain workers, it's true,

but there's other ties that keep people to place,

right, it's not just about commute,

so that's one factor amongst many.

Access to services, access to family,

access to the culture that keeps the city alive

or your lifestyle interesting.

So the city as we know it isn't exactly going anywhere,

but it might change in the way that we use it

and the way it works?

Our street infrastructure and streetscapes

can be reconfigured in a time of social distancing

when we're understanding that private cars

may not be as essential as we thought they were.

We posited that if you took the streetscape in Manhattan,

which is equivalent to four times the size of Central Park,

reconfigured it in a way that actually looked

at streetscapes as being about space for mobility

and distribution at a bigger scale,

so how do we actually decrease the number of cars

and what are the opportunities that come with that?

So increased space for pedestrians and walking,

more effective distribution systems,

buses could run at least twice as fast

getting people around the city in an equitable way.

The transformation of the way that we use our streetscapes

could also enable better delivery of urban systems.

Is there an opportunity to build more equality in cities,

you know, key workers for instance

who aren't doing jobs on a laptop right now,

they have to be in those areas, don't they,

you know, no matter what?

I mean you bring up a great point.

Service workers, essential workers,

they are geographically bound.

Mobile healthcare could be distributed more widely,

more equitably, particularly if there's government

and public drivers behind the way that that is distributed.

We're also seeing massive changes in the way

that retail is happening, right?

Many, many shops are closed.

When we have times when cities are more porous,

when there's flux, when you know,

the real estate sector isn't so saturated,

that porousness allows for an opportunity

for microentrepreneurship and also new innovations

at a kind of small scale.

You know, small businesses that are starting up,

food trucks that are gonna be distributing food

across the city, different types of services

that operate in different types of places.

Our changing relationship with work

could affect where we live, too.

It could accelerate a move to what's known

in urban planning theory as the polycentric city.

Polycentric city would be a place

where you can work, you can live,

you can recreate, you can have your social life,

your family in a more local and distributed way.

In cities like Paris,

it's known as the 15-minute city,

where daily necessities are within a 15-minute reach

on foot or by bike.

You reduce transit times, you reduce GHG emissions

and also you provide more equitable,

more sustainable access to services

by this more distributed city model,

but that's not to say that you need

to live in the suburbs, right?

So what's to say the office

can't come closer to us?

I think going forward, companies will need

to support workers in that externality

and it could take many forms.

Does everyone wanna work from home?

No, some people like going to a place,

commuting, how are companies that usually would say

come to our main office, oh now actually

we have a set of sponsored co-working spaces

across the city that are closer to where you live

and can decrease your commute and maybe you go

to those spaces three days a week

and you come into the office two.

I think we're gonna see a whole range

of new types of work as people have gained confidence

in the efficiency of work from home during this time.

Since the virus outbreak,

serviced office brand Regus has already seen

a surge of more than 40% in activity

in New York City commuter hub southern Connecticut.

In the U.K., house builders are seeing developments

outside of London driven by a change

in home office working.

While experiences and jobs vary all over the world,

many workers have come to expect change.

More than 90% of people in a recent survey

said they wouldn't return to the office

full time after COVID.

There's reasons for employers to embrace the change too.

Some already are.

Twitter and Facebook have said the switch

could become permanent for large parts of their workforce.

The COVID-19 pandemic has sent shock waves

through the world of work.

Having an on-off relationship with the office

could make us happier and more productive,

while also helping the environment

and making our cities more livable.