Remote jobs are an effective tool in the fight against bullshit jobs. Here's why.
Tired of bullshit jobs? Coined by anthropologist David Graeber, these are useless and uninteresting positions according to those who occupy them.
Although the academic passed away in 2020, the bullshit jobs that Graeber highlighted as alarmingly multiplying are still very much alive. They are the source of the phenomenon known as "brown-out," causing a severe loss of motivation in employees due to the absurdity of the tasks assigned to them. It's a state that often transforms into depression.
To prevent such an outcome and combat brown-out, several paths can be taken. Remote jobs are undoubtedly one of them.
Bullshit jobs explained
But how do you recognize bullshit jobs? It turns out that they share common characteristics, regardless of the industry or job title in question.
Lack of meaning:
Feel like you're spending your time filling leaky containers with water? Welcome to the world of bullshit jobs. They are characterized by mundane and repetitive tasks that, moreover, turn out to be completely useless. This makes you question the very essence of your work.
Bureaucratic quagmire:
Another characteristic: bullshit jobs love paperwork, endless meetings, and never-ending procedures. The employee is inundated with constant and contradictory directives, literally draining them of precious energy that could be more usefully employed elsewhere.
Goodbye, autonomy:
The corollary of all this is the complete loss of autonomy for the employee. This leads to work becoming totally mechanical and completely disempowering.
The royal path to disengagement:
In such a context, it becomes impossible for employees to see how their efforts contribute to a meaningful objective. As a result, the employee becomes less and less engaged. The predominant feeling is one of deep detachment. Going back becomes impossible. Disengagement is then complete.
Remote jobs as an antidote
Can remote work serve as an effective bulwark against bullshit jobs? The very DNA of remote jobs allows us to answer this question positively.
Promoting autonomy and flexibility:
Remote work allows employees to create a work environment to their liking, define their own schedules, and choose their working methods. The autonomy thus given encourages empowerment. It's also a way to give meaning to the tasks performed.
Results-oriented:
What matters is no longer the hours spent, but rather the results achieved. As long as the work is done and done well, there's no problem. This paradigm shift allows employees to prioritize meaningful tasks and truly see how their efforts contribute to the success of the company. Again, this promotes a sense of purpose in the workplace. Remote jobs provide talents with a tangible link between their efforts and the final product (or service) they contribute to.
Striving for balance:
Remote jobs promote a work-life balance. Job satisfaction is multiplied, as is alignment with the employees' values and aspirations. A virtuous circle is set in motion, both for the employee and the company.
Optimizing processes
Of course, all of this assumes that the organization has optimized its organizational processes to allow teams to flourish, staying fully connected and engaged. In these conditions, remote jobs prove to be a powerful tool in helping eliminate bullshit jobs, offering talents a truly enriching work experience.