Working from home: the new normal

Written by Tristan Amin

The rise of remote working has transformed the traditional working landscape. With technology advancing at a rapid pace and the gig economy on the rise, remote working is fast becoming the new normal. The COVID-19 pandemic has played a significant role in this sudden shift, with many companies now embracing remote working policies. But what are the changes that have come with remote working post-COVID? Let’s take a closer look.

Flexibility

Jobseekers have been clamouring for flexible working hours for years and employers have taken notice since the pandemic. The latest approach is a hybrid work model, where employees split their time between the office and home. It was seen as the perfect compromise, but now things are changing. In the ‘new normal’ companies are looking for a more committed three days in the office approach. Senior management wants to see more people physically in the office for increased visibility and to help integrate new people with the culture and enhance the relationships between co-workers.?

Technology companies

Some technology companies prefer their workers to spend more time in the office, with the option to just work from home on occasion. This is because many technology companies value innovation and creativity, and believe that the best ideas often come from collaboration among colleagues. Being in the office facilitates this collaboration, as workers can bounce ideas off each other, share resources, and work together on projects. While it's possible to communicate through digital channels when working remotely, being in the same physical space promotes more natural interactions and can lead to more creative solutions.

Culture and teambuilding

For smaller scale-up companies, three days in the office is seen as essential to building a culture and working as a team. This is seen as crucial to creating an environment where the team feels connected to one another, as well as being more efficient and effective since working in close proximity allows for better communication. When workers are present in the same space, they can better share common goals and values, as well as form connections and friendships with their colleagues. This can contribute to a positive work environment that promotes productivity and job satisfaction.

Four-day working weeks?

Some companies are trialling four-day working weeks, although this arrangement is still relatively rare. One of the most significant benefits for the four-day working week is that employees get an extra day off, which allows them to recharge their batteries and avoid burnout. Additionally, there is evidence to suggest that employees are more productive in a shorter amount of time. Workers at more than 60 UK companies trialled a four day working week between June and December 2022. More than 90% of those participating businesses have opted to continue with it long term, with 18 adopting it permanently. Supporters say the four-day working week boosts productivity, but critics say it is impractical in certain sectors.

Overseas working?

Some companies have started to introduce ‘overseas working’ policies.? For example, if you are based in the UK and on a UK employment contract, your employer will typically have a policy that sets a limit on how many days per year you can work from another country. This could be no more than two weeks in a row, or a maximum four weeks per calendar year. It depends, company to company but is something we are seeing more and more in 2023.?

Overall, the new normal for working from home has changed significantly over the last few years. While many companies are still offering a flexible approach, there is an increasing trend of companies pushing for a three-day in-office approach. Smaller companies see this as essential to building a strong team culture, while larger companies want increased visibility. For some, the four-day working week is also becoming more commonplace. This shift to remote work has allowed for greater flexibility for employees, and many are now expecting it as part of their working arrangement. As we look to the future, it's clear that remote working is here to stay and companies must adapt to this new normal, but in a way that doesn’t affect productivity or the bottom line.?