The Russian job portal Rabota.ru carried out a comprehensive study to uncover what keeps people from working remotely. More than five thousand users from across the country participated, and the findings were summarized by socialbites.ca for broader insight.
Across the participants, 11% reported currently working remotely, while 17% indicated they have moved from home based arrangements to working from the office, effectively shifting their pattern from remote to in person. This shift highlights the ongoing tension between preferred arrangements and practical workplace needs, especially in a large and diverse market like Russia.
What stands out is the way people perceive comfort in their home workspaces. Among those who are in remote or hybrid setups, more than half rated their home office as highly comfortable, giving it a top score of 5. A significant share, 21%, rated the comfort at 4 points, and 17% assessed it at 3 points. The results point to a broad spectrum of home environments and how they influence productivity and satisfaction in remote work.
The most common disruption at home was household activity and presence, noted by 40% of respondents as a major distraction. In addition, 31% missed real-time interactions with colleagues, and 29% were bothered by the noise from neighbors. These factors illuminate the social and environmental hurdles that can erode focus when the workspace is inside the living space.
Another challenge mentioned by 24% of participants is the slow internet speed at home, which can throttle tasks that depend on stable connections. For 14%, an uncomfortable physical setup acted as a barrier to remote work, and 13% said there simply was no dedicated workplace at home. These figures underscore the importance of reliable infrastructure and dedicated space for sustained remote productivity.
Interference from an outdated interior or poor lighting affected 7% of the study group. While these issues may seem minor in isolation, they collectively contribute to a less efficient and less enjoyable remote work experience, especially when long hours are involved.
In the open ended category Other, 14% of respondents reported that nothing blocked their remote work at all, suggesting that some home environments and routines are naturally conducive to productivity, while others encounter fewer external constraints and more favorable conditions.
Looking at those who considered leaving remote work, 53% cited a lack of team communication as a primary reason. Another half stressed the need for a more comfortable workspace, and 41% indicated a desire to change their working situation. Additionally, 38% emphasized the importance of having better equipment at work, highlighting how essential the right tools are to maintaining performance in a remote or hybrid setting.
Meanwhile, 31% of respondents pointed to the necessity of a fast internet connection in the office, while 22% argued that avoiding distractions is crucial. In the other responses, 13% said they mainly felt a better mood at work when located in the office, indicating how environment and context can influence overall motivation.
Experts in the field suggest that certain competencies become especially valuable for remote work. While the study centers on workplace conditions, it also reflects the skills and attitudes that help individuals adapt to remote environments. Effective remote work demands a blend of self-discipline, strong communication, and proactive problem solving, along with the capacity to set boundaries between personal and professional life and to manage time efficiently. These are abilities that organizations consider when supporting employees who work off-site, and they can be cultivated through deliberate practice and perceived outcome tracking. [citation attribution to Rabota.ru study and socialbites.ca]