A common trend that I’ve seen lately, and ’m sure many are seeing as well, is - working from home versus coming into the office for technology employees. Since Covid hit a couple of years ago, corporations across the board have continued to evolve, and we're seeing more employees working remotely. I have seen changes in the way employers and potential employees approach working from home and in the office. Both groups have had to make compromises and adapt to new ways of working. But what are the pros and cons of this new way of working? Let's dive in and find out!
Firstly, let's talk about productivity. One of the biggest advantages of working from home is that it can increase productivity. In fact, work-from-home employees are typically 13% more productive, 25% less stressed, and perform 22% better than their office counterparts, according to Zippia. Without the distractions of an office environment, employees can often focus better on their work. In addition, employees who work from home are often able to create a more comfortable and personalized work environment, which can help them stay motivated. However, some employees may find that working from home is too isolated and that they miss the social interactions and camaraderie of an office environment.
Next, we have collaboration. Collaboration is an essential part of working in technology, and it can be more challenging when working from home. According to research, online employees spend 62% of their time focusing, 27% of their time collaborating, 6% of their time learning, and 5% of their time socializing. About 45% of employees feel that online collaboration via social networks boosts workplace productivity, according to another report by Zippia. Remote employees may miss out on informal conversations and brainstorming sessions that can happen in an office environment. But, thanks to technology, remote employees can collaborate with their colleagues through tools like video conferencing and instant messaging. In fact, I use teams much like I would if I were in the office, meaning many times when in the office I’ll walk over to someone’s desk, if they are busy, I’ll walk away. With teams, I’ll call my teammate or fellow employee; if they are busy, they will not answer, which is fine. I’ve noticed with Teams video meetings; the meetings tend to be shorter and more to the point. Collaboration can continue, and corporations and employees have found ways to make this work for all.
Finally, we have work-life balance. Working from home can help employees achieve a better work-life balance. Without the need to commute, employees can have more time to spend with their families, get more work done and take care of their personal responsibilities. Additionally, employees who work from home may feel less stressed and more in control of their time, which can lead to increased job satisfaction. However, working from home can also make it harder to separate work from personal life, which can lead to burnout.
In conclusion, I feel there is a place for both. I get so much more work done working remotely, but still make a point of connecting via Video meetings with my team and the community in general. I also enjoy occasionally coming into the office and getting my dose of personal communication. This is a NEED for me. As a company, we work hard to meet people where they are encouraging both. Several times during the year we’ll have events at the office or in our surrounding community. I do believe that in general we were meant to be around people to connect on a more personal level. But I see there are other ways to connect and although not perfect, I’ve found how to use other resources such as teams, remote whiteboards, and sharing files online to work very well.