Now that almost everyone is adapting to the new normal, many choose to stick to their new-found customs and opt not to go back to their pre-pandemic lives. Most things that used to be done in the city centers are now done at home. Working in home offices shut down city centers in ways that may not be noticeable to you, but is devastating to businesses based there. Find out how home offices are affecting city centers.
The Negative Effects Of the Home Office Trend
Downtown, for the longest time, was the place where most things can be found. As such, the government allots a huge amount of budget for its upkeep. Since COVID surged, several lockdowns were implemented and people were encouraged to work in the safety of their homes— public transit was almost no longer needed. There’s a profound decline in New York City subway’s ridership. New York’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) faces an estimated $1.8 billion deficit in state and local tax revenues and $4.7 billion to $5.9 billion in lost toll and firebox revenues. LA commuters declined back in 2020. According to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, 310 million residents took the Metro rail or bus to get around the city back in 2019. When COVID struck, only 213 million were left using public transit. Restaurants were also negatively impacted by the pandemic. Many of the establishments were mostly empty. Up to this day, there’s still an evident decrease in customer traffic compared to the years pre-COVID. Multiple stores and shops also closed down for good leaving many of the spaces vacant.
Advantages Of Remote Work
Convenience is the biggest advantage of having a home office. Spending time in transit costs a lot of time for employees working in city centers— the “work from home” shift solved this problem. Working at home also allowed people to do their job in a more comfortable environment. A study found that many remote workers benefit from having a home office. It improved their well-being as the stress of working in the city center can take a toll on an employee’s mental health. Having a home office also saves money that’s allocated for food and transportation. Considering the country’s fuel price hike, those with private vehicles will not spend as much on gas money. Employees who previously bought their food in restaurants now have more money to save— restaurants are known to markup their food, especially in city centers. Working in a home office prevents overspending as home-cooked meals are became the first option to munch on during their lunch or break time.
Conclusion
Having a home office has many benefits but it comes with its disadvantages. Comfort, convenience, and cost-effectivity are the main reasons to opt for working in a home office. However, there’s no denying that home offices shut down city centers and the businesses that operate there.
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