Remote work has gone from a necessity to a must-have for many workers. A recent USA Today study shows most workers prefer to work from home, ideally at least three days a week. While workers cite benefits, including increased productivity, this “new normal” also brings challenges like managing work-life balance and feeling isolated from colleagues. Even with some companies pushing back with return-to-office requests, experts project the number of remote workers to increase in the coming years. As businesses and employees adapt, the conversation around remote work evolves, revealing opportunities and hurdles for the future workforce. Remote Work by the Numbers Before the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home was the exception, not the rule, with just 7% of the workforce being remote. For those who did, it was a negotiated agreement between the employer and the employee, usually resulting from unique circumstances. Today, 35% of employees work exclusively from home, and another 41% work a hybrid schedule. Overall, more than half of white-collar workers (58%) prefer a hybrid schedule, working from home three days a week. Benefits of Working From Home The most significant benefit of remote work is a better work-life balance for employees. Fifty-nine percent of those surveyed cite this benefit. Saving time on their commute comes in second, at 55%, followed by a more comfortable working space (54%), saving money on travel and dining out (43%), reduced stress (40%), and better sleep (36%). Employers also benefit as happier workers tend to be more productive. Over 80% of hybrid and 78% of remote workers have high engagement. For on-site employees, 72% report high engagement. The other benefit for both employees and employers is employee retention. Companies offering remote work are more likely to retain talent and receive applications from prospective employees. Of course, even if companies offer new hires this benefit, they can still negotiate better terms for working from home. Challenges of Remote Work It isn’t all good news, however. Remote work has drawbacks. Culture-building is among companies’ biggest challenges, as 34% of employees report feeling isolated when working from home. Fewer opportunities to learn from colleagues (25%), difficulty unplugging from work (22%), less access to work resources (21%), and decreased collaboration (14%) round out the top five. There is also the financial cost associated with working from home. While some employers reimburse employees for office supplies or offer a stipend, many do not. This puts the burden of buying software and equipment squarely on the employee. One of the most significant issues many remote workers face is finding the space to work. Some convert a spare bedroom into a home office, while others turn their couch or dining room table into their workspace. The Dark Side of Remote Work Even though most workers enjoy working from home, recent studies show contradictory information. For example, the USA Today study found 40% of respondents feel less stress and burnout, and 31% feel less depression and anxiety. However, the Integrated Benefits Institute found a 40% increased likelihood of anxiety and depression for remote workers. The inconsistent results could be from a variety of factors, including survey respondents, workers’ ability to set work boundaries, and remote work arrangements. Nevertheless, both show the importance of workers prioritizing their physical and mental health. One way to do this is to focus on self-care. By setting work boundaries, spending more time with friends and family, picking up a new hobby, or exercising, one can enjoy the benefits of remote work without isolation and depression.   This article was produced by Media Decision and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.