Working from home vs returning to the office

What the future holds for remote working, by Jaco Voigt, CEO of Catalytic

Johannesburg, 25 Nov 2020

Who would have ever guessed that working from home would be the new office norm? For decades, many tried and failed to negotiate flexible workdays or hours into their employment contracts. We understood then, as we know now, that life is not static or rigid and neither should our working hours be. Who would have guessed that all that we needed to convince the powers that be of this reality was a global pandemic that forced the majority of human civilisation to stay indoors?

Almost overnight, businesses moved workforces offsite, deploying cloud technology and Internet connectivity to keep the world of business ticking on. At first, office workers revelled in the sense of autonomy, of being able to work from home. They felt empowered and productive, but as I think we can all attest, after months of isolation, the romanticism of working from home has worn rather thin.

Remote working, while a lifesaver during this trying time, is not the panacea we all once thought it would be. Recent workforce‐focused mental health reports show record levels of depression, anxiety and burnout in employees working remotely. The global uncertainty and swathe of companies downsizing have induced a constant need to be online and to prove one's value, sometimes every hour of the day. This always-on expectation has blurred the lines of work and home, steadily eroding many of the benefits once associated with a work-from-home lifestyle.

Does work‐life balance really exist?

With many countries emerging from a hard national lockdown (although a number are instituting firmer regulations again), the world of business is grappling with the ever‐important questions of work‐life balance. Whether the concept genuinely exists, and how to attain it, is still very much up for debate. Remote working, it was long believed, would provide people with the flexibility to run their diaries and manage daily deliverables. Freed from the monotony of office‐bound meetings and strict nine-to-five office hours, it posited that employees would thrive in their newly acquired freedom.

The early days of lockdown seemed to suggest that it was indeed the case, with productivity levels reaching all‐time highs. As a technology business, I can attest to the high demand for connectivity and cloud solutions aimed at increasing employee performance. One need only look at the share prices of Zoom and Microsoft to understand which companies have been the big winners of this pandemic. But in the midst of this technology euphoria, something unexpected happened… these employees ‘liberated’ from their office desks started to feel disconnected and disenfranchised, and mental burnouts and depression levels hit an all‐time high.

Research commissioned by LinkedIn, in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, found that three‐quarters of those surveyed felt remote working has the potential to negatively impact employees' mental health by causing burnout and anxiety. Eighty-six percent of the sample felt they needed to prove to their bosses that they are working hard and deserve to keep their jobs by staying online ‘at work’ more than they ever would when in the office. The study found that, on average, those working from home have worked an extra 28 hours a month since lockdown began.

Remote working not the silver bullet

As technology advisors, we are often asked by clients to suggest a one-size-fits-all solution that will solve all their productivity and communication issues. Unfortunately, no such thing exists. The Internet and cloud technology, while amazing in its ability to connect us, also has its limitations when it comes to that vital ‘human element’.

This is why it so important to have a technology partner that walks the journey with your business; understanding its strengths and weaknesses and advising on an infrastructure solution that will truly add value over the long term. One that seamlessly adapts to the home and office environment, ensuring that employees are optimised to perform wherever they may be.

Back to the office then?

Now, this is not to suggest that we should all return to the office in droves. There is a reason why we were all trying to work more flexibility into our work schedules in the first place. What is critical, though, that when we do return – whether for a day a week or every day – is what kind of workspaces we return to. Offices and business precincts that are built with human needs and human connections in mind. Spaces that leverage technology to drive innovation and collaborations across teams, geographies and time zones.

People will gravitate towards business hubs that are part and parcel of the broader community – ones that prioritise green spaces, ease of access and flow. In the middle of a busy workday, people need a place to press refresh and connect with their surroundings. No man is an island, and nor should your office be, which is why companies are prioritising locations that are near critical amenities such as schools, shopping malls, sports facilities and other lifestyle enhancers. What was once seen as peripheral to employee engagement is now recognised as a critical step towards productivity, as companies help their people attain that elusive work‐life balance. These are all factors we took into consideration before deciding to move to Waterfall.

The power of technology

Technology is an enabler and, if used effectively, has transformative power. With that said, however, it is just one part of the puzzle. Whether people return to their offices soon or choose to remain at home over the long term is an ongoing discussion. But what is certain is that the old norms are out the window. The future will be about leveraging the power of Internet connectivity, and the convenience of brick-and-mortar offices to create workspaces that cater to the everyday needs of the average man and woman. As the song goes, “people who need people are the luckiest people in the world”. So choose your workplace and technology connection with those people in mind!

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