Why will work from home (WFH) not work in the long run?

Let's look back at the evolution of office. How did the concept of office came into being?

During the initial phase, when the human race came into existence its basic priorities were only three – food, cloths and shelter. They went out to hunt, came back prepared food, took shelter in their homes to protect themselves from the wild animals and wore bare minimum. As time passed, the population started growing and then came the civilizations.

If we look at some of the old civilizations (Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Roman Civilization, Indus Valley etc), we would see a clear demarcation between the residence and the court (darbar). The epics suggested (example– Mahabharat and Ramayana), that they had a similar concept.

A resting place and a place to conduct the duties of the state, were clearly demarcated. When the industrial revolution started way back in 1700s the name of the courts/darbar etc was changed to office. Inferring that since old age, the place of business and the place of residence were different.

Not only this, we have clearly categorically defined the place of worship (temple, church, masjid etc.); the place of work out (gyms); the place of entertainment (malls, multiplexes) etc. It is not that everything cannot be done at home, it can be. Why do we have to go to a church when we have kept the bible in our home, why to go to gyms when we can work out at home, why to go for movies in multiplexes when we can see them on our television. It is because we have marked different territories for different activities which needs a different level of focus and commitment.

In the similar way, we go to office to work. It’s not today, but since the beginning that the humans have realised that home is not the place where the business can be done. There is a different atmosphere, involvement and attention needed to carry a work well. Its almost difficulty to get un interrupted attention at homes. Therefore, the offices under the name of court (darbar) always existed since time immemorial.

Today, we see so many offices calling that they want their employees to work from home and would not want their employees to come to office. According to me this is a myth that will burst soon and some of the reasons why it will happen are:

1. In the long run the employer’s business will be affected. It’s inevitable.

2. The employee on the other hand will get frustrated thinking that wfh does not mean that he is always accessible (24x7). Frustration is already picking up.

3. The work life balance will imbalance.

Its in only during this time, as there is no other choice available that the employer is asking to wfh. The basics on which the office principle have been built was because we can never work from home. It is just a matter of time, when we will go back to the place where we belong - Offices.