Is Remote Work Here to Stay? The Real Argument

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many companies to adopt remote work out of necessity. As lockdowns went into effect, offices closed and employees worked from home in record numbers. Now, over two years later, a debate rages on – is remote work a temporary adjustment or is it the future of work? There are compelling arguments on both sides.

The Case for Remote Work Sticking Around

There are several key reasons why many predict remote work is here to stay, at least in some capacity:

• Employee Demand - Surveys continually show most employees want remote flexibility. In a recent Prudential study, 58% said they’d look for a new job if they couldn’t continue working remotely. Since hiring and retention is top-of-mind for companies, they feel pressure to offer work-from-home options.
• Productivity & Engagement Rises - Contrary to early concerns, remote workers have proven they can be just as or even more productive than those in the office. Tools like Zoom, Slack and Asana help facilitate communication and collaboration. And without commutes, employees often work longer hours.
• Saves on Costs - Companies have discovered major cost savings from downsizing expensive corporate real estate. Even adopting a hybrid model leads to needing less space. Less travel and conference costs also contribute to the benefit.
• Flexibility & Health Benefits - Both employees and employers see the advantage of location flexibility helping workers strike the right life/work balance. It also accommodates those with health issues or disabilities.

The Case for Returning to the Office

On the other side of the debate, several factors point towards companies calling employees back to the office:

• Struggle to Innovate - There are concerns innovation suffers without in-person collaboration. It’s tougher to brainstorm creatively over Zoom breakout rooms than whiteboarding together. You lose the “casual collision” of ideas that comes from office interactions.
• Building Company Culture - Especially for newer employees, it can be challenging to absorb company culture fully remote. From mentorships to bonding over drinks, in-person socializing facilitates culture better.
• Less Oversight & Structure - Managers complain about difficulties supervising remote workers to ensure tasks stay on track. It’s also easier for employees to slack off without office structure or visibility.
• Client & Team Relationships - In many industries like sales, finance and law, face-to-face meetings facilitate stronger client relationships. Bonds between teammates can also weaken without daily in-person contact.

Likely Outcome: Hybrid Models

Given the solid case for both permanent remote work and returning fully onsite, the most probable outcome lies somewhere in the middle. A hybrid work model gives employees location flexibility with some mandatory days back at the office.

According to Gallup’s 2022 Workplace Report, over 60% of workers spend at least some time working remotely. And 45% of employees work in a hybrid arrangement.

This allows companies to balance the benefits of remote work while still providing opportunities for in-person collaboration, relationship building and culture cultivation employees gain from coming into an office setting.

There are still plenty details left to iron out when it comes to making hybrid work seamless, equitable and beneficial for all. But one thing does seem clear – remote work holds a permanent spot in the future of work thanks to the sea changes during the pandemic.

The debate continues on how exactly to optimize the blend of remote and in-office. But in some form or fashion, location-agnostic flexible work is here to stay.