Why are some companies moving away from remote work?

Do you remember those years when COVID hit, and most companies embraced remote working? Of course, how can we forget? For some of us it was a hard transition, for others it was the best thing that could happen to them.

More than 4 years have passed since the beginning of the pandemic, and we have gotten more used to remote work.

As exiting as it sounds, I honestly believe that remote work is good for a short period of time, but I don't think companies will allow this to be the case for long.

Last year I had an impression that soon, more companies will want their workers to come back to the office. And it is true. According to Totalent.eu, companies like Zoom, OpenAI, Google, Meta, and X, among other companies, demand employees to return to the office. Sounds scary? Well, I believe it is a good thing, and I hope I can convince you too.

First, let's look at the benefits of remote work:

• Less commuting time
• More autonomy
• Greater flexibility
• Better work-life balance
• Higher productivity
• Increased employee satisfaction
• Reduced costs (for both employers and employees)
• Access to a wider talent pool
• Improved disaster preparedness

Wow. So many benefits. And the company is spending less, so why would they want their members to come back?

Now, let's take a look at the benefits of office work now.

• Stronger team collaboration and communication
• Easier fostering of company culture
• Increased creativity and brainstorming
• Improved mentoring and learning opportunities
• Clearer separation between work and personal life (for some)
• Access to better equipment and facilities
• More visibility for career advancement

Since both models have their benefits, I believe that a hybrid model is a great idea. With hybrid you get both: you get flexibility, but you also are part of a real team. I don't think one can build strong relationships over video calls. You just can't.

While working remotely offers advantages, in-office work can be healthier for some employees in a few ways:

• Social Connection and Belonging. Physical presence with colleagues fosters friendships, a sense of community, and combats feelings of isolation.
• Clearer Work-Life Separation. An office environment allows for a physical separation from work at the end of the day, which can help some switch off mentally and reduce stress.

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." - John Donne

I know a lot of young professionals that are looking for remote work as their first jobs. If you were able to get one - you are one lucky bird. But, it is very likely that first, you will have to work from the office, and I would recommend doing it. You learn from being with your colleagues, and you learn from seeing them work.

For those with more years of experience, find jobs that offer hybrid work options - these are the best. You get to be flexible, you can have a separation from work and your personal life, you can work and travel, and your improve your social skills.

Are you looking for your next career challenge and are not getting any responses? Reach out to Cumorah Career Services and let's work on your resume and job application together. You don't have to do it alone.

Good luck ^^