Is WFH a Relic of the Pandemic?

At the start of the pandemic, companies adjusted to work from home (WFH) structures and policies practically overnight. Many expected this style of work to last a short while. Instead, for more than two years, people created new routines, found their way on Zoom and Teams or Slack, and grew accustomed to working in their living room. They even created a new work wardrobe that allowed for more comfort. Life was less formal, less rigid, and more peaceful.?

Eliminating commutes meant saving money on gas and gaining more time for production. Working from home meant spending less on coffee, lunch, and snacks. While some people felt isolated and longed to return to the office, others embraced the convenience of working remotely.?

Now, with vaccines and less lethal variants, the pandemic is more manageable and people are heading back into the world. Still, many employees would rather continue to work remotely, while leaders want to return to the office. Arguments in favor of in-person work include better collaboration, innovation, and socialization. With every opinion voiced, the tension and division between workers and employers grows more apparent.?

For now, employees still have leverage. But inflation, layoffs, and rescinded job offers might mean the end of this workplace transformation.?None of us is a fortune teller, so no one knows who will win.?Yet, it's hard to believe that after two years of WFH, people will just go back to the days of yore in 2019, when they hustled to the office every morning and rushed home - usually late - every night. Read up on the subject and let us know what you think the future holds:?

Is WFH DOA??- Find out about all the ways work from home opportunities are under attack and whether this trend will become a part of pandemic history.?

The Neighborhood Effect: Implications of Hybrid Work?- Discover the importance of social capital and the benefits of meeting up in person in this article, which went viral, by Michael Arena.

Hybrid Work: Getting Leaders to Stay Connected with Teams?- In Arena's next article, he explains how working remotely negatively impacts leaders as they try to effectively manage teams.?

Panel: Remote Working and Flexibility: Getting the Balance Right for Employees and the Business?- Watch this video to learn about the great battle between WFH and RTO and find out how HR leaders really feel about it.?

Until next time...