Smartworking? Is everything really so positive?

Smartworking? Is everything really so positive?

In a time of pandemic like the one we are experiencing, it is not only the habits of each of us that change, but also the way of managing work relationships. More and more companies must adapt to the legal obligations imposed by the Government and Regions.

And here "smartworking" becomes part of an increasingly common language. But beyond all the actual advantages, including giving workers greater freedom in managing their work or allowing them to find a balance between life and work, is everything really positive?

When carrying out work from home, it is important to focus on the social aspect that is missing. Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance for employees of maintaining friendly relationships in the work environment, even greater than economic incentives. People need to build deep relationships with colleagues to make sense of their group membership and identification with the organization. An obvious disadvantage seems to be precisely this, the lack of fundamental social interactions for man first and foremost, and for those who work.

According to Laura Parolin, vice-president of the Order of Psychologists: “Working from home and the impossibility of going out has forced us to suddenly redefine the balance between work, family and free time. The organization of work before the pandemic allowed us to escape and distance ourselves from other living environments, a possibility that is now missing, forcing us to constantly deal with isolation or relationships with cohabitants, often with the difficulty of defining a satisfactory work-life balance. It is understandable to feel lost and dazed by new things, however it is equally crucial to take advantage of the newfound contact with oneself to learn to listen to oneself and rethink emotions, anxieties, fears".

Smartworking certainly, in addition to the many known qualities, also makes us understand how important social contact with others and daily sharing actually is. So much so that even a simple break to drink coffee with colleagues is actually crucial for working life itself.