Work from home: why working flexibly could be a (gender) revolution in the modern workplace

Working flexibly: a revolution?

In recent years, terms like remote work, flexibility, and agile working have gained significant traction, fundamentally reshaping the way we work. The COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a catalyst, compelling numerous companies to swiftly adopt remote or hybrid work models.

Working from home

According to the Smart Working¹ Observatory of the Politecnico di Milano, working remotely is defined as “A managerial philosophy based on giving people flexibility and autonomy in choosing the spaces, times, and tools to use, in exchange for greater accountability for results.”

Remote working allows employees to choose when and where to work with complete autonomy. This approach not only removes the need to physically commute to the workplace but also provides greater freedom in managing time and the work environment.

Unlike remote work, agile work entails flexibility, trust, and responsibility.

Thanks to modern technology, working from home or any other location can lead to the same level of productivity.

Sensei success with remote working

Sensei has embraced the challenge of working from home by implementing a hybrid model that balances in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. This setup requires the team to be physically present two days a week, allowing the choice between Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with flexible hours to accommodate individual needs.

This balance between being physically at the office and flexible work translates into a more adaptable and inclusive work environment, where everyone can contribute to the best of their abilities. Sensei proves that combining in-person interactions with remote work can be a winning strategy for creating cohesive and high-performing teams, leveraging the best of both work models.

The advantages of working remotely

Both working remotely and workplace flexibility offer multiple advantages for employees and companies, here is a short list:

• work-life balance: working from home allows individuals to independently manage their work schedules. By eliminating commuting, valuable time is gained to dedicate to oneself and loved ones, promoting a better balance between professional and personal life. This balance supports mental and physical well-being.

• better stress management: avoiding traffic jam and busy environments can reduce stress.

• cost reduction: for both companies and workers, working remotely can lead to a reduction in expenses related to transportation costs and office rentals.

• productivity: in specific fields, working remotely has led workers to be more productive, thanks to the opportunity to work in a more comfortable environment, free from distractions.

Challenges

Despite the multiple advantages, working from home and workplace flexibility also present some challenges, here is a brief overview:

• obstacles in communication and collaboration: the lack of physical interaction can make communication and collaboration more challenging.

• time management: workplace flexibility may require greater ability to autonomously manage one's time and priorities.

• risk of isolation: workers who perform their tasks remotely may feel isolated from their colleagues.

Flexibility: a gender revolution?

Gender stereotypes often impose the burden of household chores on women, despite discussions about equal opportunities. "Household chores" become a second, unpaid job that frequently prevent career advancement.

Allowing people to work remotely, we can overcome gender barriers and promote a more inclusive and unbiased work environment. This could lead to an increase in female labor force participation and consequently reduce the gender gap in employment and pay.

With more women competing in the job market, companies may feel compelled to offer more competitive salaries to attract and retain women as professionals. This competition could contribute to narrowing the wage gap.

However, it's important to note that increasing female employment alone may not be sufficient to completely wipe out the wage gap. Additional measures are needed, such as equal opportunity policies, salary transparency, and gender equality awareness, […] “but that's another story.”

Working from home and workplace flexibility can represent a true revolution in the job market, with a positive impact on gender inequity. However, to fully realize the advantages of these work models, it seems to be an unavoidable requirement to address the challenges associated with them.

_{1 In Italy, the term "smart working" is commonly used to describe remote working or working from home. While it encompasses the general principles of flexibility and autonomy in managing work schedules and environments, in the Italian context, it specifically refers to the ability to perform job duties outside of the traditional office setting, typically from home. This practice became especially prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many companies adopted remote work policies to ensure business sustainability.}