As we move past pandemic restrictions, we are left with a drastic increase in remote work popularity. Whilst some have completely removed an office environment, many of us are still deciding what the future holds for our new workspace norm.
We have listed below some key positives and negatives of both environments to help you decide on the best path for your employees.
Remote work
Positives:
Higher productivity- less in-person distractions and flexible hours
Better work/life balance- more time for personal relationships and hobbies
Healthier lifestyles- people tend to eat better and exercise more when no longer commuting
Increased savings and lower carbon footprint when not commuting
Negatives:
It’s not for everyone- it’s hard to stay self-motivated
Communication gaps can reduce team efficiency
Isolation can affect your mental health
Self-reliance- you have to maintain your workstation, technology and time management
Office work
Positives:
It’s easy to keep the team motivated in an office environment
The team efficiently is more efficient with everyone together
A team atmosphere can increase group morale
Negatives:
Harder to balance work and life- may cause personal isolation
Constant in-person interactions can lead to reduced productivity
Commuting often causes additional stress, time and money
Let’s face it, remote working isn’t for everyone and will affect extroverted people the most. We recommend taking all your team members into account to decide if everyone can manage the above challenges. If in doubt, flexible movement between remote and office work may be your saving grace. Allowing you time to try each option and find the one that works for your company.