It seems that the world is not quite ready to return to normal when it comes to the working day. 2020 may have brought a pandemic. But it also brought the chance for millions of people to work from home, perhaps for the first time.
But what is the better approach, working from home, the office, or a mixture of the two? It can be hard to decide, but a close look at what provokes some choices can help.
Influences Of The Return-to-work Choice
If you choose to return to work, your decision is likely to be based on a few factors. Your personal circumstances and your work environment can play a big part.
As an employee, you may need to make a decision about where you work. Do you work from home or go back to the office? Anyone who lives with a roommate, partner, and/or with children could find that the hybrid approach is the best one.
Anyone who has children may appreciate being able to work from home—not having to pay for as much childcare, if any at all, can be a huge bonus. In addition to this, having the chance to work from the kitchen table while your roommate is out can also be a bonus.
The culture of the company that you work for can also play a big role. For example, a company that allows people to work however they wish but only holds meetings in-person might not work well. The company’s employees may feel the need to work from the office, so they don’t miss out on those all-important meetings.
The choices that your colleagues make about where they work can be a factor. Your favorite colleagues may choose to work from the office, for example. If they do, their actions could persuade you to do the same. However, if they opt to work from home, the office might not be the same without them.
One of the great things about working in an office can be the camaraderie that you have with other people. If your favorite colleagues aren’t there, you could decide to work from home.
The Benefits and Downsides of Working From Home
One of the benefits of working from home is that you don’t have to travel far. There will be no mad rush to get to the office. You don’t have to worry about the weather quite so much, or even if you’re dressed smartly.
You might even be able to fit your schedule around your life rather than vice versa. In addition to this, you could find that working from home is good for you. You may be less stressed, your day could be shorter, and you can spend as much time at home as you wish.
One of the downsides of working from home is that you may feel lonely at times. You might also struggle with an internet connection now and again and even having access to a laptop when you need it.
There is also the struggle when it comes to achieving that ideal work/life balance. Working from home usually means you find it hard to stop at an allotted time (especially if you have a demanding boss). This means you’ll need to be very firm with a schedule that you can keep, which will allow you to still think of home as a place that isn’t merely an extension of your office.
The Benefits and Downsides of Working From The Office
Working from an office is something a lot of us were used to before 2020 dawned. Office work usually means we get to spend time with some of our friends. Communication can be a lot easier, and it can be nice to spend time away from home.
One of the downsides of working from the office is that it can cost a lot to travel there. In addition to this, you may have constant interruptions and grumpy managers to deal with every day.
An additional downside comes from the fact that many of us have now gotten used to working from home, and for those that achieve more productive results from this environment, the idea of reverting back to the old ways is something of an issue to overcome.
Some are just capable of getting more work done without the residual distractions that come from being in an office, and therefore going back to being in one represents something of a step backward.
The Benefits and Downsides of a Hybrid Approach
A hybrid approach means you work from home and the office. Spending at least one day a week working from home means you won’t have to pay quite so much to travel to the office. Spending up to 4 days in the office means you spend time out of the house and communicating with your colleagues.
The downsides of a hybrid approach means that you are expected to have a designated office at home. This means you may have to turn a corner of your bedroom into an office. Alternatively, your sofa or kitchen table may become your office, much to the dismay of your roommate.
Our Final Thoughts
If you’re not sure what will work best for you, think about what you want. Would you be happy to spend more time in the office? Perhaps you love working from home and would be happy to work this way all of the time. Alternatively, a hybrid approach could keep both you and your boss happy.
Consider your circumstances and whether working from home means you can be there for your children. You should also consider whether it’s feasible for you to have an office in your home. Can you spend up to 8 hours a day, five days a week, working from the kitchen table or the corner of your living room?
Think about all of these factors as they will help you to make the right decision. Remember, you may need to stick to your decision for as long as you’re with your current employer.
