Smart working, why is the home the worst place to work?

The data of a recent research carried out by theOsservatorio Smart Working of the School of Management of the Politecnico di Milano reveal that they would be over 6.5 million Italian workers who had the opportunity to approach agile work during the health emergency: a figure ten times higher than last year – 570,000 employees. However, forecasts tell us that much of these – approx 5.3 million – will continue to carry out their duties remotely even at the end of the emergency.

And although for many smart working can represent a comfortable and innovative way to carry on their work without going to the office, for many others this solution would hide a series of pitfalls and inconveniences. On the subject is Nibol, a platform that allows you to book workstations in selected cafes, meeting rooms and private work spaces, to carry out a survey involving 20,000 users, who have brought out the 5 main reasons that make the house the worst place to work.

“Before the new restrictions, working in a bar was a highly appreciated alternative by smart workers because it represented a solution to many of the problems that emerged from our survey: it allows you to have your own space, to get in touch with other professionals other than those of one’s usual circle but also to activate new routines, protecting the separation of home and work environments », he says Riccardo Suardi, founder of Nibol, «In this period very interesting trends have emerged. In fact, some of our users often go to second homes to work. Where possible, those who do not have a second home choose to spend a few days or weeks offsite, not necessarily in holiday resorts but also in nearby areas that have a terrace or the convenience of services. Still others, even in this period, in order not to stay at home are booking through our app for workstations in hotels ».

In fact, the survey shows that 3 out of 10 Italians suffer from solitude that you live by working at home and a slightly lower figure – 28% – claims to have to face with difficulty the sharing of domestic spaces with the partner in smart working, the children engaged in distance learning and pets. Among other issues, 20% argue that remote work make lose the work-life balance because it inevitably blends the professional environment with the private one, even making us eat meals while we are at the computer or in call with colleagues. On the other hand, however, there are those – 12% of the sample – argue that agile work increase some costs of the household that would not exist if they worked directly in the office or in co-working and finally, only 10%, complain of the impossibility of stretching their legs and therefore an excessively lifestyle sedentary.

But what could be done to overcome these problems? «It is certainly important to have a routine, to take frequent breaks (better if leaving home to take a short walk, where allowed) and to guarantee moments of sociality, albeit virtual. Coffee breaks are moments that help creativity and the exchange of ideas. Being able to reproduce them even from home can avoid the feeling of “alienation” in those who work alone at home », Riccardo Suardi suggests,« The extra idea? Keep a room to be used exclusively for extra work activities that each family member can book for physical activity, listening to music or for any personal hobby ».

To learn how to improve remote working hours, take a look at gallery: are provided 10 tips to do smart working effectively.