Why Work From Home Matters.

Amazon recently announced that all staff must return to the office, effectively ending work-from-home (WFH) arrangements. Now one has to wonder, what is the true value of WFH? Is it just for productivity? Orr staff retention and confidence.

Requiring staff to return to the office might seem like a move to cut costs by encouraging resignations or making retrenchments easier. That was my initial thought.

Then thereafter was a follow-up announcement, "Amazon would cut 14,000 managers." not long after their previous return-to-office mandate. Which proved the initial theory I had of their intentions was right.

Then again, I thought to share my point of view on why working from home does matters.

A Personal Anecdote

Recently, I was bedridden with a severe flu. The body aches and fatigue made it impossible to leave my bed. As I started recovering, my children caught the virus. My 3-year-old, Alexis, had a high fever, and my 5-year-old, Atticus, displayed other symptoms.

The doctor mentioned seeing five other kids with similar issues that day. My wife and I barely slept, taking care of our sick children. Despite this, we had to return to work the next day.

The Reality of Office Work

As the book "Bullshit Jobs" highlights, we often spend 8 hours in the office focusing on trivial tasks just to justify our presence and income. For example:

- Endless Meetings: Many meetings go nowhere, solving surface issues without addressing real problems.

- Trivial Tasks: Employees often react to shallow problems with superficial solutions, wasting time on tasks that don’t generate true results.

Take an accountant: Do they really need to spend 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year generating financial reports and balance sheets?

Or consider administrative and customer service jobs—many of these roles can be streamlined with digital and AI-assisted tools, reducing the need for constant office presence.

Truth as a matter of fact, nobody wants to admit their own redundancy. We find ways to justify our importance for survival, one way or another. We are also disillusion in our own ways. But still...

The Benefits of WFH

1. Flexibility: WFH allows parents to take care of their families without compromising their job responsibilities. This flexibility boosts confidence and morale.

2. Reduced Stress: Avoiding daily commutes reduces stress and saves time, leading to better work-life balance.

3. Increased Productivity: Contrary to some beliefs, many studies, including one from Stanford, show that WFH can increase productivity by up to 13%.

Even Behavioral science supports the benefits of WFH:

- Autonomy: Employees who feel they have control over their work environment are generally more satisfied and motivated.

- Reduced Burnout: Flexibility can lead to lower burnout rates, improving overall mental health and job satisfaction.

- Retention: According to a Gallup poll, companies offering remote work options see a 25% lower turnover rate.

A Call to Action

WFH isn't a problem; it's a solution for many today. It's the bureaucratic resistance to change that causes issues. If Amazon starts retrenching after this office return mandate, it’s worth questioning the true intent.

Organizations should see WFH as a tool to boost staff retention, confidence, and overall productivity. As WFH is not just a trend; it’s a viable, beneficial approach to modern work life.