WFH or WFO? Which is more preferable
Numerous companies shifted to the work-from-home (WFH) mode after the COVID-19 pandemic forced lockdowns worldwide. However, now, as the situation has gotten a lot better, many companies have already gone back or are gradually returning to the traditional work-from-office (WFO) setup. This has left many employees divided as to which is better—those water cooler talks or online Zoom video calls? Let's explore both formats.
What do the companies feel about the debate?
Talking about remote work, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon earlier said, "It's not a new normal. It's an aberration that we are going to correct as quickly as possible." His opinion was echoed by former Barclays CEO Jes Staley, who felt WFH wasn't sustainable. Several companies are looking for candidates willing to work from offices only, as they feel WFH isn't a long-term substitute.
Many companies admit WFH delivered efficient work rate
Many companies also feel remote working affects the employee-employer relationship. However, they admit that WFH has delivered an efficient work rate with a holistic approach and enabled international hiring. When one is working from home, there is no traveling involved. Hence employees are able to afford an additional two-three hours. Also, companies have saved a lot in electricity, real estate, snacks, and coffee bills.
But lack of social interaction in WFH is disadvantage
Due to the lack of socializing, it'll be hard for companies to build a healthy culture among employees if WFH becomes permanent. The interaction between employees is declining, and surveys reveal WFH employees are more distressed due to a lack of mental support from companies. ADP Research says on-site workers "enjoy crucial advantages over their remote counterparts," such as social interaction and work boundaries.
Tech giants inclined toward hybrid office model
As is understood, choosing between WFH and WFO doesn't have a solid conclusion because individual perceptions differ. For now, tech giants like Google, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, and others are inclined toward a hybrid office model. However, financial companies will likely go for the WFO format. Ideally, the WFH v/s WFO debate rests on the demands of a particular company. Which one do you prefer?
