Remote work is a luxury reserved for senior management and a lucky few IT folks. This and other similar myths about remote work are pretty popular.

Here are the facts behind these myths and misunderstandings floating around the internet about remote work.

1. Only the IT Sector Offers Remote Jobs

• Myth: Remote work is only for IT-based positions. People working in other sectors can't avail themselves of such opportunities.
• Fact: Any job that doesn't require your physical presence can be and is being performed remotely across the globe. Even jobs that require face time use videoconferencing software and tools like Zoom to make up for in-person meetings and discussions.

Industry sectors with growing demand for remote workers include Banking and Finance, Cryptocurrency, Telemedicine, Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare, Pharmacology, Art and Entertainment, Fashion, Automotive Design, and more. Append the word remote to any job profile to check if remote opportunities are available.

2. Remote Work Entry Barriers

• Myth: You must be highly qualified to land a remote work opportunity.
• Fact: Most remote jobs look for skills and ability and not your academic pedigree.

You can get a remote job without experience in the Customer Service sector right out of high school. Design-related remote jobs are offered based on skills and design software certifications. Remote positions in Public Relations, SEO, SEM, and Digital Marketing can be bagged by those who've demonstrated success in these spheres regardless of their educational qualifications.

3. Remote Work Does Not Pay Well

• Myth: Remote workers do not get the full pay package benefits.
• Fact: Although the compensation varies by industry, employees working remotely make more than regular workers, per Payscale's remote work statistics report.

Remote workers are hired from a wider talent pool spread across the globe, making it easy for someone sitting in Tokyo to draw California salaries.

It's freelance workers who do not take home the complete pay package, but that's in keeping with their service agreement, limited time commitment, and flexible work hours. Even so, most freelancers who understand how to set their prices earn way more than the average per hour wage, per a CNBC report.

4. Remote Work Brings Down Productivity

• Myth: Working remotely negatively impacts productivity.
• Fact: People working from home are 77% more productive, per a collaborative work survey by SHRM and Connect Solutions.

People who work from home take fewer leaves, tend to work even when they're sick, and get more work done in fewer hours. Being free from the daily commute conserves energy, while fewer meetings and social interactions allow employees to work uninterrupted throughout the day.

5. All Remote Jobs Are Flexible

• Myth: Work from home implies you can set your own work hours and have 100% flexibility in your approach to work.
• Fact: Just because a position is remote doesn't mean it is flexible. Some jobs are flexible. Most require a time commitment and have set working hours like a regular 9 to 5.

There are full-time remote work jobs that require 40 hours/week commitment, part-time remote jobs that require 20 hours/week commitment, and flexible remote jobs that pay by the project.

6. Remote Work Offers Poor Job Satisfaction

• Myth: People working remotely are rarely happy with their jobs.
• Fact: According to the HR Digest, remote workers are 20% happier than their office-going peers.

Reasons include a better work-life balance, improved productivity, the ability to take care of family, and freedom from the daily commute—the most significant reason people do not want to work in an office. Monetary savings on the daily commute is another reason people are happier working from home.

7. People Prefer Working From the Office

• Myth: People prefer working in an office environment with social interactions.
• Fact: According to a Pew Research survey, almost 83% of employees with jobs that offer remote work would like to continue working from home.

In fact, 50% of employees are ready to accept a pay cut to keep working remotely, per a report by Owl Labs. These research studies and reports indicate that given a choice, most people would prefer to work remotely.

8. Fixed Schedule Is Essential for Productivity

• Myth: A fixed work schedule maintains consistent productivity.
• Fact: As per a Gartner survey, 43% of employees attribute flexible working hours as the key reason for boosting their productivity.

Making the work location flexible is also known to boost productivity. 26% of employees emphasize being able to work from anywhere as their motivation to work better. The ability to work whenever and wherever allows employees to strike a better work-life balance. It affords them the freedom to pursue travel, run errands, and attend to personal chores even as they work on their official tasks.

9. Remote Work Offers Mental Health Benefits

• Myth: Lack of office social interaction is good for mental health in the long run.
• Fact: As per a survey by the American Psychiatric Association, almost 66% of people working remotely agree that the absence of social interactions leads to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Many remote workers find it difficult to get away from work at the end of the day. Lack of regular movement also leads to adverse physical effects, further compounding mental health problems. While most employees find it challenging to discuss their mental health problems with family, co-workers, or employers, corporates are aware of this problem and use various resources to improve employee health and wellness.

10. Remote Work Is Good for the Environment

• Myth: Saving on the daily commute results in lower carbon emissions and definite gains for the environment.
• Fact: Contrary to popular belief, an uptick in remote work doesn't actually contribute much to environmental sustainability.

Work from home changes how employees work, leading to significant differences in energy consumption, travel frequency, technology usage, and waste generation and management. The overall change in these dynamics does not show remote work being as environmentally sustainable as previously thought of, per a Sustainable WFH research undertaking.

Work From Home Successfully

Being disciplined is the most important thing you need to know about remote work. Discipline, decent work ethic, and strict self-regulation are the keys to a successful remote work career. Without discipline, all statistics and facts about remote work are irrelevant.

If you only work sporadically, do not have a work routine, and barely make deadlines, then perhaps remote work isn't for you.