There is so much to love about working from home—no commute, an extra hour of sleep, and working in your pj’s all day. And considering how well we all adapted and how much technology has advanced to make it possible, many people will be hoping they can continue avoiding the office for good.
But with Coronavirus restrictions easing and the world slowly opening back up – many businesses are questioning whether to go back to the office or not.
While there are plenty of benefits of working from home, many people are simply fed up and the novelty has worn off. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the reasons why working from home long-term could be bad for both business and employee…
Creativity Can Suffer
For those who aren’t fans of working solo in their own space, creativity, inspiration, and innovative thinking can reduce. Being around other people allows us to share ideas, ask questions and collaborate with each other – quicker than jumping on zoom!
Many people enjoy the hustle and bustle of office life and work best in this environment. Additionally, the rate of problem-solving increases when working together in the same room as their peers.
Steve Jobs once said, “Creativity comes from spontaneous meetings, from random discussions. You run into someone, you ask what they’re doing, you say ‘Wow,’ and soon you’re cooking up all sorts of ideas.”
Reduced Learning
As humans, opportunities for new learning are vital to our wellbeing, but also to the success of a business. Developing knowledge and expanded awareness gives you the ability to respond, solve problems and improve the business.
Whether you’re onboarding new staff that need to learn from others, ensuring your staff are constantly sharpening their skillset or educating an employee towards a promotion – learning is significantly increased when face-to-face.
Loneliness and Isolation
Working from home can become lonely, especially if you are someone that thrives on interaction.
A global study by Columbia University looked at the experiences of 226,638 people across North America, Europe and Asia. It found that cases of depression and anxiety across all regions were linked to the deterioration of relationships and the distancing we’ve had to endure during the pandemic.
For many people, an office is a place where we can connect and enjoy relationships with colleagues.
Lack of Employee Culture
Most of your adult life is spent with your colleagues and many people simply love working for a company because of the people they work with. Some will even stay with a company purely because of the people. When you enjoy working with others, you benefit from being happier and more productive and this simply cannot be mimicked by working remotely.
Chances of Burnout
Remote workers are reported to take shorter breaks and fewer sick days, admit that it is difficult to separate work life from home life and therefore relax and switch off less.
While the increased working hours may appeal to business owners, there are no benefits long-term. In fact, it can be detrimental and will likely result in an employee who’s burnt-out and dissatisfied with their job.
Going into the office doesn’t guarantee separation, but it certainly reinforces a healthier balance between what’s work and what isn’t. We all work differently, and the environment that’s best for you will depend on a number of factors.
As a business owner, while it may seem appealing to reduce your costs and roll out a remote-only operation, it’s important to make sure it doesn’t damage your team or business at a later date.
Maybe the best solution is to find a balance between remote working and office working?
Adopting a flexible approach where staff can work a few days at home and a few days in the office could be the best solution for both business and employee. A smaller office means less costs while more freedom and flexibility means a happy employee and better job performance.
Need an office in Cardiff that’s flexible, hassle-free, and affordable to run your business?
Check out Workbench today!