As the time is getting closer for the majority of restrictions to be lifted on July 19th, the questions regarding remote working or back to office working continue to generate debate.
At the start of the pandemic, it was hard to imagine working from home every day, no longer commuting and not seeing work colleagues daily. However, now we have become so accustomed to working from home and have created our own daily routines.
When the pandemic began and the world went into lockdown, most companies were unsure if their businesses would be able to function with their entire teams working remotely. However, these concerns quickly became a thing of the past when it became clear that all you need is a stable internet connection and some self-discipline. It is fair to say that personal preference plays a huge role in this debate and it largely depends on each individual's home circumstances and office culture.
We have broken down a list of the benefits of working from home and working in the office to help find out what works best for you.
Benefits of working from home
Whether you drive, take public transport or cycle to work, I think we can all agree that these journeys can often be long, tedious and stressful. Taking out that added stress to your day can have a real positive impact on your mindset and work ethic. It can also allow individuals to get more sleep, spend more time with family and friends and can help reduce stress levels.
2. Saves Money
Working remotely can have huge savings not only for businesses but also for us as individuals. Businesses will be saving money on things like rent and utility bills. Whilst individuals can save a lot of money by not commuting to work, therefore saving money on petrol, parking fees and public transport. Not forgetting those coffees and lunches out or those team drinks on a Friday!
3. Greater Productivity
Many people have reported that they are more productive when working from home due to having fewer distractions, a quieter working environment, no office politics and the ability to take breaks when needed.
Benefits of working in the office
One of the most important parts of any job is having great communication and relationships with your co-workers. Being able to get on well with your team, feel comfortable and communicate effectively is vital in every team. Therefore, working in the office really helps those relationships to grow and develop. This can be more difficult virtually as being face to face allows conversations to flow more easily and helps you to get involved in the company culture.
2. Creative Environments
Working in an office environment really allows you to be creative, imaginative and focused. In an office, you are surrounded by your team and can all focus on projects and tasks together, with no distractions that you might find working from home. This is especially helpful if working in a creative industry such as marketing, advertising or fashion design etc as being able to bounce ideas off each other and have interesting discussions can help productivity.
3. Separate work and home life
Having the right work and home balance is very important for every individual for their mental health, stress levels and overall happiness in life. Being able to switch off, relax and do things that you enjoy is key to being happy at work and in your personal life. Therefore, working in an office environment will allow you to leave your work at work when you leave the office and be able to socialise and enjoy yourself outside of work!
It is important to remember that it is normal to feel anxious or worried about returning to the workplace, but you should always speak to your manager and voice your concerns. Although not every employee will have the opportunity to make their own decisions regarding going back to work or continuing to work remotely, it might be likely that a lot of offices will have hybrid working for quite some time.
Take a look at our helpful tips on how to take care of your mental health whilst working from home!
