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Is Remote Work Right for You?

美国人口普查局报告称，从2019年到2021年，在家工作的美国员工增加了52.8%。我们赚钱方式的这种突然转变对一些人来说是一件轻而易举的事，对另一些人来说则是一种挑战。根据皮尤研究中心2020年的一项研究，父母和年轻员工在过渡到远程工作环境时更有可能面临挑战。

If you were part of the millions of employees who were forced to telework because of the pandemic, you can attest to the benefits, difficulties, or a combination of the two, that emerged from the work scene change. If you have never worked from home, consider the following before applying to a remote position.

你精通技术吗?

A prerequisite for a remote worker is to have an aptitude for technology. Are you comfortable using different software to do your job? Video conferencing, online chat platforms, and others, will very likely be a large part of your daily job requirements. More importantly, you will need regular access to highspeed internet to use those tools.

Do you have the resources?

Working onsite has its perks. The benefits of ample desk space, an ergonomic chair, and office supplies, just to name a few, are provided by your employer at no charge. On the other hand, while some companies provide their remote staff with a fully equipped work set-up, others expect their employees to obtain the necessary tools to do their job at the employee's expense.

你负担得起吗?

你知道吗，只有少数几个州要求企业报销那些被认为是“必要的”费用?根据《减税和就业法案》，当你被认为是某个组织的“雇员”时，也有规定不允许你申报纳税。查看你所在州的法律，公司的报销政策，以及是否有任何符合条件的税收减免，以防止在建立家庭办公室时出现意外的个人开支。

你在家的工作环境会是什么样的?

Do you live with someone who will also work remotely? If so, you will need to consider your space restrictions, distractions, and possible background noise from your fellow remote worker. Aside from the interruptions, tension can rise between two people working under one roof, making your work environment a toxic and unpleasant one.

What will your work-life balance be like?

Increased flexibility in one's schedule is known as one of the top reasons people prefer to work from home. Alternatively, many studies show that remote employees are working longer hours due to their inability to unplug. Findings from a 2020 Owl Labs State of Remote Work report stated that, on average, remote employees worked 26 extra hours each month during COVID-19. In Buffer's 2021 State of Remote Work report, 27% of survey respondents listed “not being able to unplug” as their biggest struggle when working remotely. When the same environment is used for both work and play, the line that separates the two can become blurred.

并非所有人都适合在场外工作。虽然远程工作有很多好处，但了解远程员工已经面临的挑战，并继续面临的挑战，可以帮助你决定远程工作是否适合你。