Last company I worked for a as "remote worker" had three tools you had to switch on all the time: Flock, Slack and Skype. For actual conference calls etc. more

Last company I worked for a as "remote worker" had three tools you had to switch on all the time: Flock, Slack and Skype. For actual conference calls etc. more tools were used ad hoc. All the interruptions and constant onslaught of messages were very distracting and hampering productivity. After a while I had the phantom ringing syndrome where I looked up the tools all the time even when no message arrived. Companies require remote workers to use those to exert control (to make sure they are online/at work) but it backfires as no high quality creative work is possible when you add so many stressors.