Home Office vs Traditional Office

Struggling with the decision between home office and traditional office? Here’s what you need to know.

Today, we’re discussing a topic that’s one everyone’s mind – should you go back to office or just stick to the conventional office? From a company’s perspective, there’s a lot to consider. Let’s dive in, shall we?

The Home Office Setup

In the wake of the ongoing pandemic, the question on every employer’s mind is, “Home office or just office?” The pandemic-induced remote working experiment has blurred the lines between the traditional office setup and the home office. Now, companies around the world are grappling with the decision to invite employees back to office buildings or continue with the home office.

From the perspective of a company, there are several angles to consider.

Productivity: Is the work-from-home setup affecting employees’ productivity? Or have we seen an uptick in output?
Costs: Are we saving on overhead costs with employees working from home? Or are we spending more on enabling remote work?
Employee Satisfaction: Are employees happier working from home, or do they miss the camaraderie of the office environment?

So, as a decision-maker, it’s time to weigh the pros and cons. Let’s explore each aspect in detail in the following sections.

The Pros of Home Office

There’s no denying the allure of working from home. Here are some benefits that companies have enjoyed with remote working:

Cost Savings: With fewer people in the office, companies can save on rent, utilities, and other overhead costs.
Productivity Boost: Several studies suggest that employees can be more productive when working from home. Without commuting or office distractions, employees can focus better on their tasks.
Expanded Talent Pool: With the option of remote work, you can recruit from anywhere, which dramatically broadens your talent pool.

The Cons of Home Office

On the flip side, working from home isn’t without its challenges. Here are some of the downsides companies have been encountering:

Communication Challenges: Without face-to-face interaction, many teams struggle with communication. It can be hard to gauge tone, read body language, or have spontaneous brainstorming sessions.
Work-Life Balance: When the home becomes an office, employees can find it hard to disconnect, leading to burnout.
Security Concerns: Ensuring the security of company data can be more challenging when employees work from different locations.

Going Back to the Office: The Pros and Cons

Now, let’s take a look at the traditional office environment and see if it’s time to go back.

Here are some things to ponder on:

Collaboration: Physical offices often facilitate better collaboration, ideation, and knowledge sharing.
Clear Work-Life Boundaries: Having a separate office can help employees maintain a better work-life balance.
Control: An office environment often allows companies to have better control over work processes and schedules.

But don’t forget, there are some drawbacks too:

Commuting: Returning to the office means resuming the daily grind of commuting, which can be stressful and time-consuming.
Higher Costs: Rent, utilities, and office maintenance can add a significant chunk to company expenses.
Limited Talent Pool: Reverting to a geographically limited talent pool can be a step back, especially if remote working has opened up opportunities for global talent acquisition.

In the end, the choice between home office or just office isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. It requires careful thought, assessing the needs of your company and your employees, and striking a balance that works for everyone.

Globedesk policy regarding office

For us at Globedesk, we have found that remote working and home office is what our employees and candidates prefers. As long as our clients don’t have any other request, we let our employees decide where they want to work from. Their decision is based on what is the optimal work environment for them.