Speech: Let Us Support Remote Work
Good evening, fellow Toastmasters and distinguished guests!
Today, I’m here to talk about a topic close to my heart—and probably my pajamas—remote work. Yes, remote work, the revolutionary concept that lets us redefine the term ‘business casual’ to include pajama pants and fluffy socks.
Imagine it’s 9:00 AM on a Monday. The sun is shining, The Cock Is Crowing, and I… am comfortably nestled in my blanket burrito. My first day of work, or remote work began just as any true professional dreams—with a commute no longer than the distance between the bed and the refrigerator.
I’ll admit, on that first day, I did what any sensible person would do: I put on my best “Zoom shirt”—that trusty garment permanently stationed on the back of my chair for those spontaneous video calls. Below the waist, of course, I was dressed as a free-spirited beach bum. It’s all about balance and, dare I say, a bold fashion statement.
Let’s talk about the unbridled joy of working in your pajamas. There’s something liberating about attending serious business meetings while wearing SpongeBob SquarePants bottoms. It’s like my inner child finally got its seat at the adult table. And let’s face it, it’s hard to feel stressed by messy projects when your slippers have unicorns smiling back at you. I’ve started to match my productivity levels with the enthusiasm of my colorful attire—there’s got to be a scientific study somewhere about the positive effects of whimsical fashion on work output.
Sometimes, I struggled with undesired results, feeling overwhelmed, and starting to lose my sanity. As I sat at the desk, feeling there is no way to solve it, I decided to think about which pajamas I gonna wear now first. Choose another favorite pajamas, grabbed a cup of tea, and sat down on the couch.
As I sipped the tea, I realized that I was feeling much calmer and more focused, enjoy the freedom to move around, to stretch. It was a simple act of self-care, but it made a huge difference in our productivity.
But remote work isn’t all fun and games. There are challenges, like the constant battle against the urge to nap, the existential dread that creeps in when you realize you haven’t left your pajamas for three days, the fatigue from never truly feeling connected from your workplace and the uphill battle of finding motivation from office chatter. But for me, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
When comes to office chatting, to be frank, one of the greatest perks of remote work is avoiding office awkwardness. Those elevator encounters where you must—against all odds—comment on the weather, as if we’ve all suddenly become climate activist, for just 2 minutes.
“Vera, today is too hot”
“Yes. I hear Singapore gets hotter and hotter”
“It’s due to green house effect. You see, the air con is always on. and the car is always there…….Anyways, I’ll grab my car to find someplace with aircon”
How complex the humanity would be. When staying at home, the only complexity is from my judgmental cat, who gives me the side-eye whenever I dare to forget to feed her again.
Employers and HR teams, listen up! Remote work isn’t just about pajama-clad freedom. It’s a win-win scenario. Imagine the cost savings from ditching expensive office spaces. A cozy corner at home is all our need. A cozy corner in an employee’s home becomes not just a workspace, but a hub of innovation and productivity.
Let go of the traditional methods open a world of opportunities. The financial burdens of maintaining traditional offices are also alleviated. And HR can tap into a diverse talent pool, unrestricted by geographic boundaries. Finally, the company can reinvest in our people, our culture, and ultimately, our vision for the future, instead of being limited to maintaining a traditional office.
So, why do I love remote work? It refined what work can be. For me, it lets the pajama break the work stress, avoid some meaningless office chatter. for us, it is reclaim our creativity. Work and life are not against each other but can be cooperated. For companies, it’s about cutting costs and boosting productivity.
Remember, in this world, opportunities—and the pajamas—are forever!
