More and more employees are opting to work from home, ditching the 9 to 5 working pattern in the process. Thanks to the internet and communication and collaboration tools like intranet software, many people feel they can be just as productive from either a digital workplace at the local coffee shop or the comfort of their own home, without needing to step one foot in the office.
However, while remote working should be applauded, and plenty of evidence supports it as a credible (and even preferable) working style, it shouldn’t mean the death of the physical office.
Here’s why office-working shouldn’t be abandoned – at least not just yet!
Company culture
Thanks to advances in tech, it’s now easier than ever to replicate a thriving company culture in the digital workplace. That said, abandoning the office altogether can make it difficult – though not impossible – to make that culture stand the test of time. Email and social media are incredibly beneficial, but you shouldn’t forget the value of sitting in an office environment, soaking up the workplace culture and chatting with fellow coworkers.
Learning and development
In a remote working environment, the lack of colleague distractions, as well as having the flexibility to structure your own working day, is a recipe for success when it comes to enhancing your professional development. But a lot of avenues for development are found within the workplace, so if you want to jump on the chance to expand your talents, then working from the heart of the business – as well as from home – might be more beneficial.
E-learning software provides this conduit between office and home, offering the strengths of digital training without any of the weaknesses. In the bricks and mortar office, it can be used as a guidance tool, directing employees through their professional journey. At home, it connects remote workers to the business, ensuring they are never out of the loop.
E-learning software connects remote workers to the physical office
Co-worker support
Workers often relish the peace and quiet that comes from remote working, but you should never underestimate the importance of having a group of co-workers nearby. It helps to have someone next to you to bounce ideas off or ask for advice, whether business or personal.
Workplace colleagues can also be a pillar of emotional support. Personal issues will inevitably affect professional lives on occasion, and sometimes it helps to have a co-worker to talk to. It can be easier to chat face-to-face, but if you’re working from home, using instant messaging tools can help you keep lines of communication open and minimise feelings of isolation.
Face-to-face time with coworkers is still important
Finding the right balance
One of the major reasons remote working has become such a popular option is because the 9 to 5 is cited as a major drain on energy, productivity, and wellbeing.
But this is where we should be looking at balance.
Rather than forcing everyone to work from home or the office 100% of the time, encouraging a balance between the two means staff get the best of both worlds. The benefit of offering both office-based and remote working is that you will open your employees up to a wider range of experiences that will ultimately improve their contribution to your business.
