COVID-19 had a huge impact on the world and people have had to adapt to new ways of doing things. Arguably one of the biggest changes has revolved around how people work. Lockdowns and social distancing have meant that instead of working in the office, most employees have had to work from home.
Now that things are settling and life is beginning to return to a new normal, many companies are faced with the decision: allow employees to continue working from home, or ask them to come back into the office full time.
The prospect of returning to working in the office has sparked a huge amount of debate amongst big companies, employees and startups alike.
Many people are still hesitant about returning to an office space, and both employees and employers are realizing that offices are not a necessity. Interestingly, 97% of employees don’t want to return to the office and would prefer to continue working from home.
With remote, hybrid and office work all being options due to the advancements in technology, it can be difficult for startups to determine which is the most suitable alternative.
Working in the office
Prior to Covid hitting, working in the office was the norm. With offices providing a designated place to work and be productive, it is no surprise that office work has been king up until recently. The face to face interaction between team members help to build and strengthen working relationships.
There’s no doubt that this traditional setting is effective, and could be beneficial for many reasons for startups. In order to help you gauge if this is the right option for your startup, take a look at a few of the key advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of working in the office
Face-to-face interaction helps to build a strong team
Employees who have the ability to communicate with their teammates face to face often have a better opportunity to get to know them, share thoughts, and brainstorm. These interactions are essential in building trust and camaraderie, which is an essential part of building morale.
If employees work in harmony, they are more likely to stay engaged and produce quality work.
Clearly defined workspace and hours
An office is a place where employees spend mostly eight hours of the day, five days a week. In short, there is a clear sense of time in the office where companies can expect their employees to work and be productive.
This is incredibly beneficial for startups as it is clear that they are getting the most out of their employees.At the same time, this also helps employees to set boundaries and create a healthy work- life balance.
Cons of working in the office
Increases workplace stress and anxiety
One of the drawbacks of working in an office is that it can contribute to employee anxiety. It can be from pressure from managers and clients, dealing with difficult teammates, and lack of control over the workplace environment.
These factors can cause or even worsen stress that may lead to burnout, which ultimately affects an employee’s productivity.
Businesses need to pay for office space
One major operational cost of a business is the office lease. Having an office also comes with making monthly utility payments that can become burdensome, especially for a startup business.
For new businesses working within a set budget, it’s an added risk to commit to long-term leases. The business has no guarantee that it will survive when you factor in the many financial considerations involved in investing in an office space.
Working remotely
Technology has given workers and companies immense opportunities, and has made remote collaboration possible. With the unprecedented rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have adjusted their operations and introduced remote working to most, if not all, of their employees.
This has triggered the realization that most jobs can actually be done from home and employees can still be as productive as they were in the office. Studies have shown that some employees would prefer to quit their job than go back to working in the office.
It’s clear that most employees favor working remotely. However, businesses are still on the edge if remote work is effective to reach their bottom line. That said, we’ve listed the pros and cons of remote working below.
Pros of working remotely
More flexibility
Lack of flexibility has always been an issue when working in the office. In the past, employees have just had to accept the inconvenience and cost of commuting and the impact that had on their lives. However, unlike office work, remote work offers a chance for employees to customize their work environment.
This means that they can have a better balance between their personal and work life, which translates to an improved quality of life.
When employees have this opportunity to be flexible, it is likely to improve their productivity and reduce the possibility of burnout.
Businesses can hire employees from around the world
Brilliant talents can be found all over the world and businesses often miss out on the perfect fit for their company simply because they are only looking in one location. For startups with a small team, finding the perfect fit is incredibly important; probably moreso than finding someone within commuting distance.
Therefore a remote work model can be beneficial as it allows businesses to hire employees that are the right fit, rather than the best person in the right location.
Saves businesses and employees money
Startups need to be smart on where best they should use their funds, especially in the beginning stages of the business. The risks of startups with limited budgets are frightening and the operational costs of having a physical office can hinder the company’s ability to survive long-term and become profitable.
To reduce the risks, a virtual office can be beneficial for startups and their employees. Aside from not worrying about rent, equipment, utilities, and security, their employees can also save time and money without the added daily commute.
Cons of working remotely
Less team interaction
Since there are no in-person meetings,some workers may miss out on a casual conversation that usually happens in the office. The lack of team interaction between employees can cause disengagement in the workplace and employees with low morale are less likely to find meaning in their work and be less productive.
As startups are usually composed of small teams, it’s easier to combat this by taking some time to develop a culture that encourages collaboration.
- Set up a regular meeting with your employees
- Give your team reliable productivity, collaboration, and communication tools
- Check-in with your employees as frequent as possible
- Focus on emails for professional purposes as well as personal communication
- Ask what type of communication they prefer
- Be visible and provide support when needed
Less accountability
Working at home can be detrimental to one’s work ethic, productivity, and accountability because it reduces the opportunity for supervision or oversight.
Make sure to keep employees engaged and discuss the expectations needed from them. Managers need to make an extra effort to provide performance reviews and initiate effective communication among employees.
Conclusion
The pandemic has highlighted that remote work is possible,and can be very effective. However, it has also shown that face to face interactions are invaluable.
Whilst it is impossible to say that one approach is better than the other, there are pros and cons to both. Startups have the benefit of deciding which style of work suits their company best.
