I’ve always believed in the immense benefits of remote work—the flexibility, the freedom, the ability to connect with brilliant people from all over the world. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside colleagues from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and time zones, and these digital connections have enriched my life in ways I never expected. Remote work allows for a kind of collaboration that transcends borders, and in many ways, it’s become my ideal work environment.
But, as with any system, there are costs that we don’t always talk about, and one of the most difficult challenges I’ve faced working remotely is the loss of colleagues due to layoffs. Recently, nearly 300 of my colleagues were let go, and the impact was profound. It wasn’t just a professional shift—it felt personal. These weren’t just coworkers; some of them were people I had built deep, meaningful relationships with, people who had become a part of my remote “family.”
What’s unique about remote work is that our relationships are built through digital spaces. We don’t have the spontaneous, in-person moments that often create bonds in a physical office. There are no coffee breaks or impromptu chats by the water cooler. Instead, our connections form through Slack messages, video calls, and shared projects. We celebrate wins, we support each other through challenges, and we often lean on each other in ways that go beyond work.
When those bonds are severed, the void left behind is stark. The absence of a colleague, a friend, or a mentor is felt deeply, even though the only thing we shared was a screen and a sense of purpose. It’s a loss that doesn’t fit neatly into the conversation about remote work’s advantages. There’s no physical office to return to for closure, no in-person goodbye that marks the end of a chapter. It’s just the silence that follows when someone who has been a part of your work life is no longer there.
And yet, even with this emotional cost, I still stand firmly behind the overall benefits of remote work. The flexibility it provides, the opportunities for collaboration, and the ability to connect with incredible people all over the world far outweigh the challenges. Remote work has changed my life for the better, and I believe it’s the future of work for many.
But this loss—the silent grief that comes with losing colleagues who were once integral to your daily rhythm—is one of the real costs that we need to acknowledge. It’s a challenge that doesn’t have an easy solution, and it’s one that I think is often overlooked in the broader conversation about remote work’s many benefits.
When we talk about remote work, we often focus on the positives—productivity, work-life balance, global collaboration. But the emotional impact of losing people who have become family is something we don’t always address. It’s not a flaw of remote work itself, but rather a reality that comes with the territory. The relationships we build in this digital space are real, and when they are lost, it’s a grief that doesn’t fit neatly into the usual narratives.
I believe we can continue to make remote work better, more inclusive, and more connected. But in doing so, it’s important that we don’t forget the emotional cost of these virtual connections—because in some ways, they are as real as any physical relationship, and their loss can leave a lasting impact.