During uncertain times brought on by the global pandemic, the labor market went through some drastic changes that impacted where and how work gets done — calling for employers to respond accordingly. While remote work existed well before the pandemic, it has since become commonplace and has also helped foster a new outlook on the traditional in-person work model.
Although shifting from in-person to remote work was a big adjustment for employers and workers alike, companies and employees have experienced certain benefits because of these shifts, including an increase in productivity and cost savings. That being said, as more and more studies show the benefits of a flexible work schedule, there are also noted benefits of in-person work, such as more direct human connection and dedicated collaborative work.
While work-from-home (WFH) accommodations might work for some, it does not work for all. To figure out what’s best for your company as a whole and for your individual employees, it’s important to weigh both the benefits and challenges of each. Here are just some of the advantages and disadvantages of in-person and remote work.
Advantages of In-person Work
More Opportunity for Human Connection
Interacting with other people is vital to the human experience and going into a physical office inherently presents more opportunities for these connections. When people go into an office, they not only meet with their direct teams and form bonds with those people, but also network with other teams and employees beyond their immediate working groups. While online platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams allow for easy collaboration, these platforms are limited in creating organic interactions between individuals.
A Strong Sense of Company Culture
A clear sense of company culture not only goes a long way in attracting and retaining top talent, but it also reinforces company values. While setting these expectations is also possible with remote workforces, in-office work allows for a more immersive experience of a company’s culture from Day one.
A Physical Separation Between Work and Home
Going into work offers a literal separation between home life and work life — drawing a more concrete line between the two worlds. Some thrive on the routine of waking up and commuting to the office every morning while other individuals do not. Studies show that those who work in the same place where they sleep often struggle to “clock out,” ultimately affecting their life outside of work and even going as far as impacting their health.
Disadvantages of In-Person Work
Links to Higher Turnover
In comparing telework to in-person work, studies show companies operating mostly in person are more likely to have experienced major turnover this year. Many who favor WFH options argue this setup allows for a healthier work/life balance, which ultimately helps workers avoid burnout and, in turn, helps organizations improve retention.
Longer Commutes and Increased Stress Levels
In-person work guarantees that employees will be faced with a longer commute. This not only means workers are spending more of their earnings on gas, but studies show long commutes are also associated with increased stress levels — a problem that could compound over time and contribute to retention challenges.
Costly Real Estate
Physical office space comes with significant investments — in fact, over 44 Fortune 100 companies have started, or plan to start, reducing office space throughout 2022 and into 2023. These plans not only suggest WFH is here to stay, but also goes to show companies may be more apt to forgo costly office space in favor of remote work accommodations.
Advantages of Remote Work
Access to a More Expansive Network of Talent
Opening your talent search to remote work grants employers access to a wider pool of available and skilled talent. If you aren’t finding the right talent for your specific needs, offering remote accommodations greatly increases your odds of not only attracting more job seekers who are looking for flexible options, but will also help you more easily identify professionals with the required certifications, experience and skill sets you seek.
Increased Productivity
Despite the general assumption that working from home can cause a decrease in productivity, studies show just the opposite. In FlexJobs’ 7th Annual Super Survey, they listed fewer distractions (75%), less interruptions from colleagues (74%) and reduced stress from commuting (71%) as the main reasons why employees feel they are more productive when working from home.
Cost Savings
Opting for telework over in-office work will create opportunities for cost savings. Global Workplace Analytics shared that on average, full-time remote work saves companies $10,000 per worker each year — IBM, for example, saved $50 million by cutting these costs and opting for remote work.
Disadvantages of Remote Work
An Absence of Social Interaction
While technologies have evolved enough to allow for streamlined virtual communication, it is inherently less personable than face-to-face conversations. In-person networking allows for a more collaborative work experience and team bonding opportunities, which further contribute to a healthy work culture.
Technological Difficulties
The nature of telework and its heavy reliance on technology produces unprecedented challenges, including technical difficulties, security risks, increased demand for IT support and even interrupted workflow. While technology is certainly used in the office, meetings where everyone is physically in the same room lessens the possibility for disruptions and keeps collaboration flowing.
Performance Tracking
Visibility is key when operating a remote workforce, and one of the main challenges organizations face is tracking performance to ensure everyone is working toward individual and collective goals. Without the proper systems, regular touchpoints and collaboration tools in place, remote workforces can easily become disorganized and unproductive.
Hybrid Work — Finding Middle Ground
The hybrid work model, which combines benefits of both in-person and fully remote accommodations, refers to a style of work where the individual comes in a few days per week and works from home the rest of the days. While this setup will not suit all, it has noted benefits — improved mental health and work/life balance, for instance — and can serve as a middle ground for employers and employees.
Partner With the Experts to Enhance your Workforce — No Matter Your Setup
If you currently do not have the in-house resources to enhance your in-person workforce or make the transition to remote/hybrid work, working with an outside staffing partner can help you craft a strategy that fits your unique needs. Leveraging elements like performance optimization tools and virtual training capabilities, the right partner can ensure your workforce has what it needs to be successful, no matter your setup.
Contact Aston Carter for strategic guidance on enhancing your in-person workforce or making a seamless transition to remote work.
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