In the past year, the homebound nature of the pandemic has wholly transformed our working style. More employees have shifted official paperwork to their desks at home. Even employers and CEOs have moved to Zoom calls and Skype meets to run their businesses.
With promises of the pandemic lifting in the following months, a question remains: how do we return to offices? Will our new methods of working raise or bring down businesses?
As of late, much discussion over the pros and cons of different working environments has sprung up. HR professionals and employers are worried about the future and current nature of their business. Employees are apprehensive about their vocational future, mental health, and financial security.
In this article, we take the time to do our research and clarify all your pressing doubts! Read below to understand the types of working models and gauge what would work best for your business!
For a long time, views on remote work were cynical. Working in a corporate setting was the dream goal: action-packed, industrious, and social.
However, times have changed. The pandemic has only exacerbated the phenomena that took its time in the making. Now more so than ever, greater flexibility in work styles and environment has become normalized.
Three types of work systems have proven to be most effective. Namely, they are the fully remote, hybrid model and return to offices. Each of these arrangements has its pros and cons.
A fully remote work style allows professionals to operate outside a typical office. Workers are designated projects and tasks that are completed at home.
When the pandemic rolled around and forced employees to work virtually, it was a sudden leap from the ordinary. Despite the initial discomfort, this move was necessary and proved beneficial. Many workers could retain their good health while staying productive within the comforts of their four walls.
Many top companies have put out statements permitting employees to work remotely even after the pandemic ends or lessens. Some of the pros and cons of remote work are:
Employers harbor many expenses during offline working. Some of them include costs of real estate, overhead facilities, building maintenance, and more.
Most of these hefty charges can be eliminated or cut off by remote work. Such long-term cost savings are ideal for all businesses, particularly smaller firms facing a loss in financial profits during the pandemic.
Remote work is cost-effective for employees, as well. Savings pile up by not paying for transportation, parking fees, lunches, and a professional wardrobe. Employees can comfortably work within the comforts of their homes.
Remote work means that employees have limited interactions with their colleagues and supervisors. While this does have its disadvantages, one cannot deny that this form of socialization comes with far fewer risks.
There are lesser chances of employee disputes, ethical violations, and tempestuous relations. Such environments can improve and maintain both employee and employer satisfaction and ease.
At the same time, the flexibility in remote work means that employees can manage work and play. They can use their time judiciously by completing tasks at their own set pace. Such comfortable adaptability can make employees happier.
During recruitment drives for offline companies, only those workers who can come to the office every day will apply for the job. Alternatively, a far broader applicant pool will be waiting on a company's doorstep if they offer remote job positions. Thus, remote working can garner diversity and inclusion.
Diversity is professionally beneficial for multiple reasons. Small start-ups can recruit culturally diverse people worldwide who'll attract foreign consumers. Similarly, companies can be meticulous by only recruiting "the perfect fit candidates" as they're opening their doors to a far broader applicant pool.
Office culture can make a massive difference in the productivity and motivation of a team. However, creating a sense of familiarity and teamwork can be very difficult with workers spread across the globe, their faces behind screens.
Virtually brainstorming and collectively working can be easily facilitated through online platforms. Yet, the closeness and socialization prevalent in offline spaces will always be missing. Such human disconnection can reduce motivation, company pride, and creativity.
Self-regulation is challenging, which is why the frequent check-ins and accountability seen at offline offices are advantageous. Being surrounded by colleagues and firm superiors can motivate you to be productive.
While sitting at home, distractions are inevitable. There is a delay in tasks, and deadlines are often stretched. Many employees can get away by producing shoddy work since they're essentially unmonitored.
Such poor and flexible performances can bring great harm to the company's repute and culture.
The nature of remote working creates many inevitable situations where employees are invisibilized or unrecognized. Miscommunication is very probable in online interactions. Additionally, many employees may find it challenging to stand out and gain rightful recognition for their work.
Such inevitable situations can prove disadvantageous. Many bustling, energetic workers may avoid a remote job due to its non-conducive working environment.
Technology or software are the most promising industries when it comes to remote work opportunities. Followed by the educational sphere, content writing services, marketing, social media managers, and SEO strategist.
The traditional method of working, most of us are familiar to its nature. Going to work five days a week has been the norm for a while now. As of late, many companies are rethinking the pros and cons of this model, especially with the pandemic forcing us to stay homebound.
Since employees are spending the whole week interacting with colleagues, communication becomes more effortless. There's more closeness and better understanding.
Online communication and tasks can be inefficient. Virtual navigation and delivering textual instructions can be time-consuming. Many employees may not be tech-savvy or have the resources to spend on gadgets.
The exorbitant costs of real estate, overhead facilities, building repairs, and more can take a toll on a business, especially if it's a small start-up or firm. The expenditure of the daily commute, parking fees, etc., is very cost-ineffective for all office members.
A five-day job saps much time, energy, and resources. Many lost recreational opportunities with family and friends occur due to exhaustion.
The flexible hybrid model is a balance between the productivity of offline work and adaptability of remote work. This system is a combination of office and remote.
Thus, employees derive the benefits of both worlds!
Employees can enjoy the relaxed adaptability of working at home while simultaneously engage with superiors at the office. Consistent motivation and exposure help reduce stress which can subsequently increase productivity.
During the pandemic, the hybrid model has proved beneficial by securing the health of its workers. Simultaneously, prevention of worker burnout and demotivation occurs by occasional trips to the office.
Since this model incorporates the features of both remote and physical working, it also carries its advantages.
The benefits of remote working, such as reducing costs, flexibility, employee happiness, and more, are present in hybrid working. Similarly, the high productivity, socialization, and motivation that comes with office-working are current.
The hybrid model isn't possible for all occupations. E.g., those in hospitality and teaching are required to go to their workplace every day.
Separate allotments of the week/month are assigned, incorporating remote working and physical working. Hence, a well-organized schedule is required. This schedule should account for an equal or nearly equal number of days between both systems.
Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook actively advocate for a hybrid model of working. The plethora of benefits for all involved parties make it an ideal productivity system for employees and employers.
The best industries for hybrid models are the Sales, Technology and Software, Automobile industries, and more.
Now that you're well-acquainted with the types of working models, you'll have to decide what will be the best fit for your company and search for the ideal candidates.
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There are three types of work systems that have proven to be effective. Namely, the fully remote system, the hybrid model, and the office full-time.
Each of these arrangements has its pros and cons.
Out of the three models, hybrid working is the most advantageous. It possesses the flexibility and cost-effective features of remote working along with the dynamic energy of physical operations. Many companies are calling for hybrid systems in the workplace.
Recruiters can utilize the hybrid model of working to increase favorable employment and rake the profits of their businesses. Employees can live relatively stress-free productive, and happier lives. Hence, choosing the right system for your business is a prudent decision that can prove very beneficial in the long run!
