Марія Бровінська Work 9 July 2025, 12:00

Remote work for IT professionals: a chance for higher productivity or constant overtime and a career plateau? Conclusions and advice from HR

In a world where office walls have become a metaphor rather than a physical reality, remote work has transformed the IT landscape. It has opened the door to flexibility and freedom for thousands of professionals. But is this «new normal» really the golden ticket to higher productivity and a harmonious life, or does it hide pitfalls in the form of constant overtime and the threat of career plateaus?

Today, it is difficult to find a company in IT that does not at least partially support hybrid or fully remote work. HR specialists see this transformation every day — both from the employee’s and the company’s point of view. However, often due to the availability of an alternative, businesses face the loss of a candidate: IT professionals who are used to working from home often refuse to consider an office or hybrid work format. Therefore, Ukrainian IT specialists are increasingly choosing solitude in their own apartment or a country life away from civilization. However, remote work has its pros and cons.

dev.ua spoke with Oksana Petrenko, CHRO at SharksCode, about the advantages and disadvantages of remote work for IT professionals. Here are the main conclusions from the conversation.

Five advantages of remote work over the office format

Here are five key advantages of remote work over the traditional office format, especially relevant for the IT sector:

Flexibility and autonomy

Remote work offers unprecedented flexibility in managing one’s own time and space. Employees can organize their workday around their peak productivity, personal commitments, and time zones. This allows them to better integrate work into their lives, rather than the other way around, leading to increased efficiency and satisfaction.

No commuting and time/money savings

Daily commutes to the office are a waste of time, money on transportation, and nerves. Eliminating commuting frees up hours that can be used for relaxation, sports, study, family, or hobbies. It also significantly reduces expenses on fuel or travel tickets, as well as on meals out.

Reduce distractions and focus on productivity.

While there may be distractions at home, many people find that there are far more in the office: sudden conversations between colleagues, noise, endless meetings. Remote work allows you to create the ideal work environment, customized to your personal needs, which contributes to deeper focus on tasks and increased productivity.

Access to global talent and opportunities

For companies, remote work opens up access to a wider talent pool without geographical restrictions. For professionals, it means the opportunity to work for the best companies in the world without being tied to their place of residence. This promotes professional growth and access to unique projects.

Improved work-life balance and well-being

Being able to better manage your time and focus on family, health, and personal interests can significantly improve your work-life balance. This reduces the risk of burnout, increases your overall happiness and well-being, and ultimately improves the quality of your work.

Five disadvantages of remote work for IT professionals

Lack of live communication and team spirit

Remote work can lead to feelings of isolation, especially for extroverts. The lack of informal conversations in the office makes it difficult to establish personal connections with colleagues. For example, according to reviews on X, some IT professionals complain that they lose their sense of belonging to a team when working remotely.

Risk of burnout and overwork

Without a clear distinction between work and personal time, IT professionals can work longer hours than necessary. A study by GitLab (2024) found that 41% of remote workers struggle with the «always-on» aspect. This is especially true for those who work with clients in different time zones.

Technical and everyday challenges

Remote work requires stable internet, quality equipment, and a comfortable workplace. In Ukraine, where there are frequent power or internet outages, this can be a problem. In addition, not every IT worker has an ergonomic workspace at home, which can affect health (for example, back or neck pain).

Limitations in career growth

While remote work opens up access to international companies, in some organizations remote workers receive fewer opportunities for advancement as managers may prefer those who are physically present in the office. This is confirmed by reviews on Glassdoor, where IT professionals note that office workers are more likely to be offered leadership roles.

Problems with motivation and discipline

Not all IT workers are able to effectively self-organize. Distractions at home (social media, household chores, family) can reduce productivity. According to a survey on DOU.ua, about 20% of remote workers admit that they sometimes lose focus due to the lack of an office environment.

How to make remote control comfortable

To maximize the benefits of remote work and minimize its disadvantages, IT professionals, according to Oksana, should follow a few simple (but actually not very simple) rules.

First, create a workspace: allocate a separate place to work with good lighting and an ergonomic chair.

Secondly, stick to a schedule: set clear working hours and breaks to avoid overwork.

Third, stay connected with your team: participate in virtual meetings, team building, and informal chats on Slack.

Fourth, invest in equipment: provide stable internet and high-quality equipment (webcam, headset).

Fifth, take care of your health: exercise regularly and monitor your mental state to avoid burnout.

Sixth, «disconnect» from work: At the end of the workday, it is important to consciously complete work processes, close work programs, and switch to your personal life. This helps avoid burnout.

In general, it is worth remembering that remote work is a powerful tool that opens up new opportunities for IT professionals, but at the same time poses challenges for discipline, communication, and balance. «As a CHRO, I advise every IT professional to weigh their priorities and lifestyle to understand whether remote work is right for you. Companies should invest in supporting remote teams to create a productive and comfortable environment for everyone. In today’s world, remote work is not just a trend, but a reality that is changing the IT industry,» sums up Oksana Petrenko.

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