The return is real, but what are the pros and cons of returning to the office 5 days a week?

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the way we work has been forever altered. Remote work became the norm, allowing employees to continue their duties while safeguarding their health. However, a contentious issue has emerged as some companies are pushing for a complete return to the office, requiring employees to work on-site five days a week. This article examines both the negatives and positives of such a move, acknowledging the complexity of the decision.

Let's start with the negatives:

1. Commute Hassles: Returning to a daily commute can be stressful and time-consuming. Traffic congestion, crowded and largely unreliable public transportation, along with the financial cost of commuting can negatively impact employees' work-life balance. Let's not forget the extra hour sleep as well, which can be hugely beneficial to concentration.
2. Reduced Flexibility: One of the benefits of remote work was the flexibility it offered. Being tied to a fixed office schedule can limit employees' ability to manage personal commitments, resulting in potential dissatisfaction. Personally, the ability to head to the doctors when we need, gym at lunch or even head to do the shopping at 4pm instead of peak time can be a real blessing and benefit. You can work to live, not live to work.
3. Broken promises: Many staff members feel let down by businesses that that offered flexibility and sometimes remote working options before and during the COVID years. If a company backtracks on this, what else might be taken away down the line? It's a legitimate question to ask but it's important to understand the reasons behind the rationale as well.
4. Lost Productivity: Surprisingly, many employees found that they were more productive working from home due to reduced distractions and the comfort of their personalized workspaces. A shift back to the office could potentially lead to a dip in productivity, it's an unusual take as most associate WFH with being less productive, but office distractions are very real and can lead to unproductive periods you wouldn't get whilst WFH.
5. Environmental Impact: The pandemic highlighted the positive effects of reduced commuting on the environment. A full return to office work could reverse some of these gains, contributing to increased pollution and carbon emissions. Green policy has been top of mind for many Aussie businesses and Sydney's underwhelming public transport systems need huge investment to keep up with the future demand of commuters to make sure emissions don't skyrocket.

Now we turn to the positive impact:

1. Improved Collaboration: In-person interactions foster spontaneous discussions and better collaboration, which can lead to more innovative solutions. Face-to-face communication is often richer and more nuanced than virtual interactions.
2. Company Culture: Physical presence at the office can help strengthen a company's culture. The shared workspace enables employees to bond, share experiences, and build relationships that are harder to cultivate remotely. It's difficult to monetize the effect of a strong internal culture but spending time outside of hours with colleagues across departments and in bars/pubs was always a key reason people stayed in businesses, culture is built on trust, friendship and togetherness. Without the office environment being the platform for this, it's hard to say how great a company culture really is.
3. Mentoring and Skill Development: Working alongside experienced colleagues allows for mentorship and skill development that is challenging to replicate virtually. Junior employees can benefit immensely from on-the-job learning, skills gaps and professional interpersonal skills are developed just by being around experienced mentors.
4. Separation of Work and Home: Remote work sometimes blurs the boundary between professional and personal life. Returning to the office can create a clear demarcation, potentially reducing burnout and improving mental well-being. Just remember COVID and being cooped up inside, it wasn't my idea of fun!
5. Technology and Resources: Offices are equipped with specialized tools and technology that might not be available at home. This can enhance productivity and enable employees to perform tasks more efficiently.

The decision of whether to mandate a full return to the office is a delicate balancing act for companies. While the negatives of a rigid office routine are clear, the benefits of in-person collaboration, fostering company culture, and skill development cannot be ignored.

A hybrid approach could offer the best of both worlds, allowing employees to split their workweek between home and office. This compromise acknowledges the value of remote work's flexibility while capitalizing on the advantages of in-person interactions. Additionally, staggered schedules could help reduce commute congestion.

Ultimately, the future of work is likely to be a blend of on-site and remote arrangements. Companies should carefully consider the needs and preferences of their employees, acknowledging that a one-size-fits-all approach might not be suitable. As we navigate these uncharted waters, it's essential to prioritise employee well-being, effective collaboration, and the continued pursuit of professional and company growth.

2023 and beyond will prove to be interesting when it comes to office returns. As profits fall down and business looks for reasons why, will remote working be used as a punching bag for lower productivity? We'll see!