Remote vs. Office vs. Hybrid: Best Work Model?

The Covid 19 pandemic has changed lifestyles.

The things we thought weren't possible in the distant reality are now the "new normal." It has not only changed social values and our perspective on life, but also impacted our professional lives.

Offices became home offices and the concept of working from home was born. As the situation improved, the hybrid work from home model was developed. Now we have the option to work from home or office and take advantage of the hybrid model. However, the question is which working model is better for people: home work or office work? Are remote workplaces best, or should there be a mix of office and home working?

According to a study published by Robert Half, 26% of workers prefer to work completely remotely, while 25% of workers want to work in the office. However, 49% of employees support hybrid work from home models. The study also found that 1 in 3 professionals currently working from home would seek new work opportunities if asked to return to the office.

Difference between home work, office work and hybrid model

What is work from home?

In the home work model, a company's employees work from their place of residence. In this working model, employees collaborate with each other via video conferences and audio calls.

What is work from the office?

The full form of WFO refers to the work from office model where employees work in the office premises. This model requires employees to be present in the office throughout the day.

Hybrid model concept

In the hybrid model, employees can work both at home and in the office. For example, employees can work two days in the office and the remaining three days from home. However, the days on which employees must be present in the office are determined by the company's leadership team.

Key differences between the WFO and WFH models

Working from home - advantages and disadvantages

Working from home has become a long-term alternative to the traditional office approach. Because you have the flexibility to work from home at your own pace, you can maximize your productivity. Software companies like TCS, IBM, Infosys, etc. were already using the option of working from home before the pandemic. However, this option was largely intended as a privilege and was only granted to those employees whose work tasks qualified for such an arrangement. The advantages of the work from home model are:

Benefits of working from home

Benefits for Employees:

Reduced commuting
Low stress levels
Better work-life balance
Increased autonomy for individuals
Enhanced job satisfaction

Benefits for Organizations:

Improved productivity
Reduction in turnover rates
Cost reduction
Larger talent pool to choose from
Better workforce planning leading to continuity in operations

Disadvantages of working from home

Working from home is very popular with employees and employers, but this working model can also have some pitfalls. Various researchers from around the world point out that home work must meet certain basic requirements and necessary conditions in order to be effective and successful. The disadvantages of the work from home model are:

Disadvantages for employees:

Social isolation
Linked to low promotional opportunities
Can lead to difficulty in distinguishing between work and home time
Interrupted power supply and internet connection can lead to low productivity
Difficulty in managing kids for working parents

Disadvantages for companies:

Issues of cyber security and threat to Intellectual Property Rights
Challenges in measuring productivity
Can lead to a lack of motivation and focus
Conducting induction program may be an issue for organizations
Increased costs for firms operating in business process management

Working from the office - advantages and disadvantages

Working from the office allows you to collaborate better with your team and manage conflict better. Face-to-face communication allows you to complete tasks faster. In addition to some great advantages, this working model also has some pitfalls. Here are the pros and cons of working in an office.

Benefits of working in the office

Better distribution of work space

Office spaces are highly optimized and help you carry out the tasks efficiently. It also improves collaboration between team members and other cross-functional teams.

Work in a team

Working in a team improves your social skills, collaboration and conflict management. It also promotes creativity and leads to a productive work environment.

Easier to conduct face-to-face meetings

Certain projects require closer collaboration with other team members. Working from the office gives you the opportunity to have face-to-face meetings with different teams. You can exchange their points of view on important matters, such as: E.g. when preparing a business proposal or arranging a meeting with an important client.

Better social contacts

Being close to people means you have better social contacts when you work from the office. You can interact directly and express your opinion. You can also make new contacts when you work from the office.

Disadvantages of working from the office

Regular distractions

Since you can communicate better when you work with the people around you, the constant communication between individual team members can sometimes make the workplace very noisy. This can lead to distractions at work.

Lack of privacy

Some employees are more introverted than others. They may feel uncomfortable working with teams, resulting in poor communication or lack of leadership skills.

More stress or anxiety at work

Working with bosses and colleagues can make you feel more pressured. If this continues, workplace anxiety can occur, leading to reduced work ability and productivity.

Additionally, employees have to spend time and money to reach their office on time. This also leads to traffic congestion on the roads and overuse of resources. It is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of working from home and working in an office before choosing a working model.

Hybrid work mode: advantages and disadvantages

The hybrid work from home model is a mix of office work and home work. Companies from all over the world are relying on the hybrid working model. This working model not only changes the way we work, but also influences the spatial design of offices. The advantages and limitations of this working model are explained below.

Advantages of the hybrid model

Increased productivity

The ability to choose flexible working hours has increased productivity. You can organize your time better and concentrate on maximum work. You save time commuting and can use those extra hours to get your work done.

Better work-life balance

Working from home gives you the advantage of being able to focus on your personal life and balance your personal and professional commitments. Because you have the flexibility to complete the work at your own pace, you will achieve greater job satisfaction. Additionally, working from the office allows you to socialize with your colleagues and build meaningful relationships in the workplace.

Lower costs

Since the entire office is also working from home, there is no need to set up specific desks for all employees. The administrative department can plan the new workplace occupancy based on how many employees will be in the office on a given day. This reduces rent and other additional costs.

Disadvantages of hybrid mode

Lack of collaboration

Because you rely on online tools to collaborate from home, you may experience difficulty collaborating with cross-functional teams. In addition, it could be a problem to arrange the dates for a meeting.

Risk of burnout

Longer working hours can lead to burnout and anxiety. If you take more breaks when working from home, you may try to compensate for the time off with extra work. If left unchecked, it can lead to burnout.

Dependence on technology

You must have all the resources like a stable internet connection, a laptop and a phone to work smoothly. If these resources are not available when working from home in a hybrid work environment, your work may suffer.

Working in a hybrid environment is both productive and stressful. It depends on how you manage your time and balance your tasks. You can gain an advantage with the help of project management tools. Try to manage your time and create a priority list to work efficiently in a hybrid work model.

The psychological impact of working from home compared to working in the office

The psychological effects of working from home and office work can be different for different people. They depend on individual preferences, work role and specific work environment. Below is a list of the main psychological effects of working from home and office work.

Work from home

Loneliness and isolation: Working from home can make some people feel isolated and lonely, especially if they live alone. Feelings of isolation can arise from the lack of regular social interactions with colleagues.
Autonomy and Flexibility: WFH can give workers the freedom and flexibility to organize their work environment and schedule according to their preferences. For some people, this can lead to greater job satisfaction and less stress.
Work-life balance: WFH can help many people balance work and family life as they no longer have to commute and have more control over their daily routine. This can lead to less stress and better overall health.

Work from the office

Social Interaction: Daily face-to-face encounters with colleagues in an office environment promote feelings of camaraderie and social connection. This can have a positive impact on both mental health and job satisfaction.
Routine and Structure: WFO often provides a routine with set start and end times. For some people, the consistency and regularity of this pattern can help reduce anxiety.
Professional identity: Physical presence at work can increase feelings of professionalism and belonging to a group or organization. This can increase self-esteem and enjoyment of work.

Both working models have their advantages and disadvantages. However, the choice depends on employee preferences and the way the company wants to work. All the advantages and disadvantages must be carefully weighed when choosing the model of working from home or working in the office.

Factors influencing the decision for WFH, WFO or Hybrid

The human brain needs motivation to complete certain tasks. Here are the top five factors that motivate employees to work on-site.

Technology: Technology helps simplify workflows, effective communication and data security in a traditional office. It ensures employees can easily collaborate, access resources, and complete tasks quickly, increasing productivity and connectedness.
Colleagues and Leadership: In an office context, colleagues encourage mentoring, real-time collaboration, and idea sharing. They promote emotional support and camaraderie, which improves teamwork and job satisfaction.
Routine: Workplace routines provide structure and allow employees to better manage their time and draw boundaries between their personal and professional lives. This organization promotes productivity and discipline.
Non-traditional space: There are flexible and comfortable non-traditional workspaces such as lounges or collaboration zones. They promote ingenuity and adaptability to the work environment.
Visibility: Being seen in the workplace by colleagues and superiors can lead to recognition and accountability.

Other factors that cause employees to choose to work from home include:

Safety: Working from home can increase safety by reducing the risks and public health issues associated with commuting, especially during a pandemic. It provides a regulated, relaxed environment that can reduce the stress caused by external security risks.
Quality of life: WFH can improve quality of life by allowing flexible work hours and reducing travel time. This promotes well-being through a better work-life balance, more time for family and the opportunity to pursue personal interests.
Freedom: Since employees have more control over their work environment and schedule, WFH gives them a sense of freedom. They can organize their day to maximize efficiency and personalize their office however they want.
Technology: Technology is crucial to WFH as it enables remote communication, teamwork and task management. The effectiveness of remote work depends on the accessibility of reliable technology.

Other factors to consider for WFH, WFO or Hybrid

When deciding whether to adopt a hybrid work model, work from home (WFH), work from office (WFO), or both, the following aspects should also be taken into account

Area of responsibility and industry: The type of work carried out is very important. While some activities, such as If customer service or production requires an on-site presence, others such as: software development or content creation can be carried out remotely. In some sectors, e.g. In some areas, such as healthcare, there are strict regulations regarding remote working.
Company culture: The feasibility and desirability of remote work can be influenced by the culture and values of the company. Some companies value flexibility and results, while others place greater value on collaboration and creativity.
Legal and compliance issues: Tax and employment regulations for telecommuting vary by location. It is necessary to consider compliance with these regulations and the impact on employment contracts and taxes.
Employee preferences: Every employee has different wishes and preferences. Some people feel comfortable in a rural environment, others prefer the orderliness of an office. Providing options and flexibility helps meet the needs of different employee groups.
Performance measurement: When working remotely, it is important to set accurate performance metrics and goals. Employees must know which standards and criteria are used to measure performance.

When choosing the most suitable and productive workplace for employees, companies must consider the above factors. They should also develop a hybrid policy to maximize employee satisfaction and make the office culture more pleasant. Creating a productive workplace requires consideration of how employees want to work and the long-term benefits of choosing between home work and office work.

Is the hybrid model the future?

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the most common way of working for knowledge workers has shifted to a variant of the hybrid model. In June 2022, Gallup conducted a survey of 8,090 remote-enabled workers in the United States that showed 60% of them now prefer hybrid work options. A pulse survey by the Future Forum from July 2022 also showed that hybrid working is already the dominant business model for 49% of the 10,646 knowledge workers worldwide.

Recent research has highlighted numerous benefits of hybrid working for both employers and employees. Studies show that employee turnover has decreased by 35% without negatively impacting performance or career advancement opportunities. In addition, the experience of employees has improved significantly as a result of hybrid forms of work. This trend is supported by global brands such as Apple, Meta, Citi, Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC, Volkswagen AG and Bupa, all of which have publicly endorsed hybrid working arrangements.

For refilling

Each working model - whether home working, office working or a mixture of both - has both certain limitations and advantages. However, from the data collected on the different work models, it can be concluded that the hybrid work culture is the most preferred by employees. As a result, large companies such as Apple and Meta also offer the option of hybrid working. It offers more flexibility and helps companies save costs, which is a win-win for both employees and employers.

In today's dynamic work environment, understanding the nuances of remote, office, and hybrid models is crucial. With tools like IceHrm, adaptability becomes the key to success.