The effects of the coronavirus were multiple, and one of them was the significant increase in remote work, also known as teleworking.
Teleworking has evolved into one of the most popular ways of working from 2019 until today, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic which led towards more flexible forms of employment. In 2024, a percentage of 29% of employees in France worked remotely at least once a week, with an average of two days per week.
In other words, for many people, the home desk has replaced the traditional work environment.
However is teleworking an opportunity for better balance—or is it not exactly what it seems?
It’s obvious that the advantages are numerous. Teleworking offers the comfort of one’s personal space, a reduction in commuting time, and, overall, greater flexibility in time management. However, concerns about mental health, social isolation, and blurred lines between personal and professional life are valid and significant.
What does it cause to our health?
Discussions on this topic are growing, as workers report high levels of stress, difficulty disconnecting from work, and feelings of isolation. On the other hand, some enjoy the freedom to organize their day in their own way.
Remote work has an impact on mental health and our daily lives. Studies—and common sense—indicate that those working from home tend to experience a decrease in moderate physical activity.
Isolation can easily lead to loneliness, anxiety, or even depression in some cases, while the lack of clear boundaries between work and personal time increases the likelihood of burnout. Furthermore, excessive screen use can cause physical fatigue and reduce concentration, while the absence of social interaction hinders the development of skills and career progression.
It is believed that due to teleworking, our bodies struggle to reach a state of rest, as the end of the workday is less clearly defined compared to traditional office work. In face-to-face work, the employee arrives and leaves at a specific time, with few exceptions. In remote work, these boundaries are blurred, and the workplace merges with the personal space.
Additionally, compared to in-person work, teleworking increases the amount of time we spend in front of computer screens. In the office, meetings and appointments happen face-to-face, whereas remotely, everything happens through a screen. This inevitably leads to visual fatigue—explained as feelings of pressure in the eyes, redness, temporary myopia, dry eyes, headaches, etc.
Ways to deal with
As previously mentioned, remote work certainly has many advantages, and this explains, its complete elimination is not the solution.
The right approach is to find balance between everything. A hybrid model, where each employee is entitled to work remotely only a few days per week, seems to be the most considerable solution. This way, the flexibility of teleworking is combined with the benefits of in-person presence.
Additionally, it is very important to establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. Frequent breaks during the day and shutting down the computer outside working hours are crucial and essential. Any physical activity, such as some light exercise after work, could be beneficial.
Other Consequences
The consequences of remote work are not only restricted to health. Wider economic effects have also been observed. A major one is the decline in business travel, as most professional meetings now take place remotely. This leads to a reduction in demand for business trips, hotel stays, restaurants, and other tourism-related services.
Therefore, while remote work offers significant advantages, it also has several and multidimensional consequences—affecting health, social life, and global economic activity. Consequently, it is essential to maintain balance and effective organization, in order to minimize these negative effects as much as possible.
Sources:
https://fr.statista.com/themes/6820/le-teletravail-en-france/#topicOverview
https://www.inrs.fr/risques/teletravail/risques-effets-sante.html
Etudiante en Master 2 Droit de l’économie numérique (2024-2025).
