Since the COVID-19 pandemic, our way of working has changed entirely, particularly in terms of where we work. Due to the restrictions, it was strongly recommended to travel as little as possible and to limit social interactions. Working from home provided a solution. Almost two years later, working from home has become an integral part of our work culture and society. But what do employees prefer? And what advantages and disadvantages can be identified after two years of hybrid work development?
Advantages
Savings
When working from home, you save not only travel time; you also have more time for household tasks and can dedicate more time to improving your physical health. This can indirectly lead to better mental and physical health.
In addition to saving time, working from home also saves money. You don’t incur travel expenses and can reduce childcare costs.
Productivity
Research shows that 41% of remote workers are more productive than their colleagues who work in the office. Remote workers are less easily distracted and generally work with more focus. They also feel less controlled and can take breaks as needed.
Employee Satisfaction
The benefits of hybrid working can improve employee satisfaction when this work option is offered. A 2021 report from Owl Labs even shows that 92% of employees who are offered hybrid work options are more satisfied with their jobs.
Environmental Benefits
With fewer people in the office, the company’s ecological footprint can be reduced. This decrease in energy consumption also results in cost savings.
Not only is the company’s ecological footprint reduced, but with less commuting, CO2 emissions are also lower.
Using Flexwhere’s “Analyse Your Workspace Utilisation” feature, you can gain insight into how your office space is used: which days are the busiest or which areas are (almost) unused. This gives you a clear picture of optimal office space utilisation, enabling you to cut costs by limiting energy use on under-occupied days or in underused spaces.
Disadvantages
Work-Life Balance
When working from home, you may feel like you’re always “at work,” even outside of working hours. This can make it difficult to establish a good work-life balance and may lead to unpaid overtime.
Responsibility
Remote work offers freedom but also requires personal responsibility. It takes discipline to stay motivated and work effectively. A good plan can help you remain productive and focused.
Workspace
To fully experience the benefits of working from home, having a suitable workspace is essential. Generally, office facilities are better than those at home. This may mean investing in a quality home workspace, which can initially be a significant expense.
With the Flexwhere app, you can easily reserve a workspace, allowing you to choose where you work each day or which facilities you want to use at the office, such as a sit-stand desk or dual monitors.
Less Social Contact
Some employees maintain good contact with colleagues, even while working from home, but others may become more isolated. Most remote workers feel less connected, which is understandable as they miss out on shared lunch breaks or coffee moments. It is also a bit harder to quickly ask colleagues questions.
With the Flexwhere app, you can easily see which colleagues are at the office. This allows you to decide to go to the office and connect with your favorite colleagues.
