Many employees find themselves questioning why they are required to work in the office all week when their job could easily be done from the comfort of their own home. This issue has become increasingly relevant in today’s digital age, where technology allows for remote work to be just as productive as working in the office.
The benefits of working from home
Working from home offers numerous benefits for both employees and employers. Some of these benefits include:
There has been much conversation around the trust issues remote working has surfaced in some companies. Employee monitoring software and other means of surveillance is up 50% since the pandemic began. After all, if a manager doesn’t trust an employee to perform the job, then they wouldn’t be on the team for long. And it just begs the question, why do employers force employees who can easily do their job at home to come into the office all week?
- Increased productivity: Many employees find that they are more productive when working from home due to fewer distractions and a more comfortable work environment.
- Cost savings: Working from home eliminates the need for commuting, saving employees money on transportation and other related expenses.
- Work-life balance: Remote work allows employees to better balance their work and personal lives, leading to increased job satisfaction and overall well-being.
The longer and more involved the commute, the higher the attrition rate for workers. Another example Bock cites is changing conventions, like scheduling hourly workers for both closing and opening shifts, back to back. Mahmood looks back on her career in health care and says if you want to keep women within the system, you have to meet their needs. “There’s a backlog of resignations. So because of the uncertainty during the pandemic, people who otherwise would have quit their jobs did not,” he said.
It’s clear that as the U.S. economy reopens after Covid precautions that many organizations will be pursuing a hybrid future in which employees work from the office some days and at home on other days. While some managers may be inclined to let employees choose their schedule, the author recommends not pursuing this approach for two reasons. First, is the challenge in managing a hybrid team, which can generate an office in-group and a home out-group.
They are encouraging their employees to return to the office in some way after the pandemic, with a preference for hybrid models. However, some of these companies appear to be only embracing the hybrid approach on the surface. The lasting impact of the pandemic is that remote work has become more prevalent.
Challenges employers face with remote work
Education in Thailand is a far cry from what it was several decades ago. When it comes to salary, the common belief among expats and returnees alike is that you earn a lot less in Thailand compared to your peers overseas. Thailand is not foreign to some of the biggest international companies in the world. Bangkok’s central business district is home to regional branches of international banks, such as Barclays, Crédit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and HSBC, as well as numerous companies from the tourist or transport industries (especially airlines). Federal regulations restrict the number of hours that can be worked in safety-sensitive occupations, such as pilots, truckers, and nuclear power plant staff, as well as certain railroad and marine personnel. A break of at least 20 minutes must be given if overtime work lasts more than two hours.
While there are many benefits to remote work, employers may have concerns about implementing a fully remote workforce. Some challenges employers face include:
- Lack of supervision: Employers may worry about not being able to monitor employees’ work habits and productivity levels when they are working from home.
- Communication issues: Remote work can sometimes lead to miscommunications or delays in information sharing among team members.
- Security concerns: Employers may be concerned about the security of sensitive company information when employees are working remotely.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision to require employees to work in the office all week for a job that can easily be done at home is a complex one that depends on various factors, including the nature of the job, company culture, and individual preferences. As remote work becomes more common and accepted, it is important for employers to consider the benefits and challenges of allowing employees to work from home and find a balance that works best for both parties.
