The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it masks, social distancing, and remote work. Thankfully, only one of these elements remains: working from home.  

Remote work is productive, convenient, and necessary for various jobs. In fact, when done well, working from home can be more productive than working in an office. ActivTrak reported a 35–40% productivity increase for employees working from home. A Harvard Business School study reported a positive increase in productivity for remote work in the years following the initial shift under Covid. 

During the summer of 2023, I interned for the Colson Center, a Christian nonprofit organization based in Colorado. The Colson Center’s team maps all across the United States. Office days were Tuesday and Thursday. For the remaining three days a week, employees worked from home — even those in Colorado. I found my writing and editing was much more productive when I was alone, away from conversations, nearby Zoom calls, or regular coffee breaks.

While my work was more efficient away from the office, I valued the days in-person. I was able to meet more teammates and engage in real conversations face-to-face, not through a screen. These personal interactions strengthened the transition to a completely remote internship the following summer with the Colson Center. I was efficient and productive but also enjoyed the daily Zoom calls and team meetings because I knew the people with whom I was working. 

This summer, I plan to attend four weddings and am hoping to visit my sister and her family in Mississippi. Searching for post-grad employment options that would provide the necessary flexibility for travel and family seemed pointless, except in the remote-work field. I now have several options that can all be done away from an office. My personal location is insignificant because my work ethic and production will remain consistent. 

Perhaps my situation is an anomaly — writing and editing typically requires a quiet, focused environment. But many other jobs require a low-distraction environment. Remote positions also provide flexibility for additional travel or the shifting work hours characteristic of many modern jobs. 

When people ask what my dad does, I say, “He’s either on the phone or on a plane.” As sarcastic as it is, that statement is accurate. My dad works with teams of people spread across the country. He can consult, strategize, and delegate across phone and Zoom meetings. He doesn’t have an office because very few teammates share a location. When he does travel, he visits the small offices of the few teammates who are in the same city. 

Without remote work, my dad’s job would be nearly impossible or our family would have to move. Instead, his remote work schedule allows him to see his family throughout the day. Over breaks, I’ll have my morning cup of coffee, and my dad will join me for 10 minutes between his calls. In the summer, we’ll go on brief walks over lunch. 

For as much as he travels, my dad makes himself available for his family when he is home, even with busy calls or stressful days. I’m thankful he no longer heads to the office at 7 a.m. and returns at 6 p.m. I much prefer making faces at him on his calls through our glass doors or bringing him fresh muffins for a morning snack. 

I have also seen the blessings of remote work in my sister’s life.  She worked for Hillsdale’s admissions office for three years after graduation, but she needed a remote position because of her husband’s military career. Admissions was gracious to extend that flexibility to her, allowing her to work throughout the year and make numerous visits back to campus to visit me — I mean, to do her job. Even through the birth of her first child, she was able to work part time, thanks to her remote position. 

As I’ve seen through my sister, remote work is especially helpful for young moms. Sometimes families need the extra income, but most moms can’t drop everything and head to the office for eight hours. Some moms, instead, can crank out a few hours of work throughout the day when the kids take a nap or have some play time. In my sister’s experience, this was harder than it sounds. Other moms, however, say the few hours of work provide a needed mental challenge apart from the motherly questions of “Who needs to eat?” “Who is sick?” and “What should I make for dinner?” 

Of course, not every job should or could be remote: Some jobs can’t be done on the computer or over the phone. Any sort of repair, delivery, or sale requires face-to-face interaction and hands-on production. 

President Donald Trump’s mandated return to work order for federal employees was a necessary and judicious step to further government action and productivity. Government employees should be interacting in the office environment because their work requires more engagement, conversation, and last-minute meetings. Taxpayer dollars should not support remote work for federal employees who live in the capital of our country. 

College would be nearly impossible without professors who lecture in-person every day. Hillsdale professors sacrifice more than most by remaining in the office to engage with students outside the typical work hours. To say I’m thankful is inadequate. 

Nor should every person work from home. The 100% extrovert would go insane. Others may lack productivity or personal drive. Working from home should not excuse laziness or poor performance. 

Remote work requires proactive, efficient, trustworthy individuals and a team who can depend on everyone doing their part. If done well, this work creates more flexibility, productivity, and family prioritization. 

Thankfully, COVID-19 is past, and the remote world is not the only option. But I’m thankful it is one.

 

Michaela Estruth is a senior studying history.