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At one of our recent Pabasso roundtable events for MDs & CEOs of established businesses, we had a very healthy discussion about the Pros & Cons of Working From Home.

It's clearly a very emotive subject and we tried to establish the facts for and against WFH from both an employer's and an employee's point of view.

We all must take a balanced view of this emotive subject as it's here to stay, at least in part, whether we like it or not.

Herewith is a summary of our conclusions, you will note that some Pros and Cons appear in more than one quartile:

1. Employee Benefits

Greater Flexibility: Employees can create a customised schedule that better fits their personal and professional lives, enabling them to attend appointments or manage family responsibilities (and pets) more easily

Better Work-Life Balance: The ability to integrate work around personal life helps reduce work-life conflict

Elimination of the Commute: Saves time and money

Reduced Expenses: Preparing their own meals instead of buying lunch, spending less on work clothes

Fewer Office Distractions: The home environment provides a quieter space with fewer interruptions from colleagues.

2. Employee Disadvantages

Blurred Boundaries: It can become difficult to separate work time from personal time. This can lead to the feeling that you are "always on" and can lead to working longer hours, not switching off and ultimately burnout

Loneliness and Isolation: Reduced face-to-face interactions with colleagues can lead to feelings of loneliness and a sense of disconnection from the company culture and team.

Miscommunication: Relying heavily on email and other digital messaging means that important non-verbal cues (like tone and body language) are often lost, increasing the chances of misunderstandings.

Less Spontaneous Collaboration: The lack of "water cooler" moments or quick desk chats can stifle the rapid, organic flow of ideas and problem-solving that happens in person.

Video Fatigue: The need to schedule formal video calls for every discussion can lead to "Video fatigue" or an over-reliance on virtual meetings, which can be tiring.

Reduced Career Progression: Research has shown that remote workers, especially those who are fully remote, can be "out of sight, out of mind" when it comes to promotions, recognition, or key projects.

Fewer Networking Opportunities: Building strong personal and professional relationships and mentoring connections is much harder without informal in-person interactions.

Loss of Learning By Osmosis: Casual opportunities for learning and guidance from experienced colleagues are lost.

Home Distractions: Depending on the home environment (e.g., family, pets, domestic chores), distractions can reduce focus and make it harder to maintain productivity.

Increased Expenses: Employees often incur higher utility bills (electricity, heating/cooling, internet) as well as the initial expense of setting up a suitable home office.

3. Employer Benefits

Reduced Overhead Costs: The most immediate and tangible benefit is the savings on expenses like rent, utilities (electricity, heating, water), maintenance, and office supplies.

Lower Absenteeism and Sick Days: Staff who work from home are less likely to miss work for minor illnesses (as they can often work while recovering) or for personal appointments, leading to a more reliable workforce.

Access to a Wider Talent Pool: No longer geographically restricted to hiring people who live near a physical office. This allows them to recruit the best talent nationally or even globally

Possible Employee Retention: Offering flexible work options like working from home is a highly valued benefit for many employees. Can significantly reduce employee turnover and the high costs associated with recruiting and training new staff.

Competitive Advantage in Recruitment: Companies that offer remote or hybrid options are often more attractive to top candidates who prioritise flexibility.

Increased Productivity: Studies often show that some remote employees are more productive WFM due to fewer office distractions and interruptions. Highly dependent on the role.

4. Employer Disadvantages

Less Spontaneous Interaction: Employers lose out on the "water cooler" moments, impromptu discussions, and non-verbal cues crucial for quick problem-solving, innovation, and building strong working relationships.

Loneliness and Isolation: Employees can feel disconnected from colleagues and the company's mission, which can lead to lower morale, reduced engagement, and a lack of support.

Difficulty in Onboarding and Mentoring: Integrating new hires and providing informal mentorship or hands-on training is more challenging without a physical presence.

Siloing: Teams may become isolated from other departments, hindering cross-functional collaboration.

Difficulty in Imbuing the Organisation's Culture: very challenging when people are WFH

Reduction in Employer Loyalty: the more people WFH, the less engaged they are with their employer and the less bonded they are with colleagues - and the more available they are to engage with recruiters. So much easier to leave and start a new role. No goodbyes, no desk to clear etc

Productivity, Difficulty Monitoring Performance: Managers may struggle to transition from a "time-spent" to a "results-focused" management style, leading to concerns about accountability and productivity. WFH can be abused and lead to reduced productivity.

Home Distractions: Employers cannot control the domestic environment, which may include family members, household chores, or unsuitable workspaces, leading to productivity dips for some employees.

Data Security Concerns: Employees using personal devices or home Wi-Fi networks pose greater risks for data breaches, loss of sensitive information, and non-compliance with security protocols.

Technical Support Difficulties: Remotely troubleshooting and resolving technical problems, like device failures or slow internet connections, takes longer than in an office setting.

Equipment and Ergonomics: Employers may face costs and legal obligations related to ensuring employees have an appropriate, ergonomic home office setup to prevent health issues (like back pain or eye strain).

Miscommunication: Written digital communication can lack the nuance of in-person discussions, leading to misunderstandings, especially around tone or priority.

Delayed Communication: The lack of immediate, face-to-face contact can slow down decision-making and project progress, especially for quick questions.

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