Living in a time where “returning to the workplace” is a common discussion topic is an adjustment for everyone. A year ago nobody would have suspected that work life would be completely flipped upside down and the workplace would simultaneously be known as the living room. This is a question many employees are asking themselves – Should I return to the workplace, and why?
1. Routine
Having a daily routine is beneficial in many ways. For most, their daily routine is waking up, getting ready, grabbing coffee, commuting to the office, working, and commuting home. This type of routine was abruptly put on hold as the pandemic hit. Working from home made it hard to decipher when to start working and when to stop working. However, being able to commute to the office as part of the routine can break up the day and give people a better sense of work-life balance.
2. Social Aspect
Modern technology has been the holy grail of communication since the Covid-19 pandemic was sprung on us. Without Zoom, Google Teams, Groupme, and every other app that lets us communicate, work life would have been even harder than it already was for the past year. As lucky as we are to be able to still see and talk with one another through a screen, people miss that one on one time in the office with colleagues. Weather it be catching up in the break room for 10 minutes or going out to lunch with a work friend, that quality face-to-face time is crucial for people. Humans are social beings, and staring at each other through a screen all day can only make us feel so close.
3. Work Space
Not everyone has a designated office in their house to work out of. Especially younger employees who just bought their first apartment or still live at home. Working from home makes it hard to not share your space with something in your personal life. If you work in your room, you also work in the same area that you sleep in. If you work in your living room, you also work in the same area you relax in, there is no win-win. It’s comfortable working from home, but having that separate space at the office can make a huge difference in your success professionally and personally.
4. Professional Connections
It might seem like a no-brainer that conversing with colleagues can spark friendships in and out of the work place. But what about those connections that are strictly professional, the one that may propose the next work opportunity or the one from a different department that gives the best advice? Connecting with those in the office that you wouldn’t necessarily see if you didn’t work for the same company are just as important as the friendships that are made with those you do see everyday. The work setting is a great place to build those professional connections and learn from people in different areas of the company. Meeting through screens with direct co-workers doesn’t allow for these other connections to be made, which is why in person connecting is so important.
5. Personal Connections
Apart from building a professional network through work, many people build strong personal connections as well. 31% of employees who dated a co-worker ended up marrying that person, according to a study done by Career Builder. The workplace is so much more than just business. Romantic relationship and friendships are made everyday through the work place. Without that in person interaction, people miss out on building all kinds of relationships with their co-workers. Although online dating is extremely popular, Zoom and other apps aren’t great for getting to know your colleagues on a personal level.
6. Personal Growth
One of the great things about working from home is the ability to feel comfortable. There’s no one at home to tell you how to dress or when you can take a break. Although there is nothing wrong with wanting to feel comfortable, stepping outside of your comfort zone allows for growth personally and professionally. Being at the office around co-workers builds that strive for wanting to do better. The work atmosphere and slight sense of competition allows for employees become more successful.
7. Getaway From Busy Lives
For many people, the house is not an ideal work place. Especially those with children, those who still live with their parents, or those who live in noisy areas. The pandemic forced many to deal with their surroundings which can cause more stress and strain on us and how we perform at work. Besides having loud surroundings, some people simply want a change of scenery. It can get old fast working, sleeping, eating, and relaxing all in the same vicinity. The office is a gold mine for those who don’t enjoy the work from home life, which is why having the option should be the new standard.
8. Make Life More Exciting
On the other hand, some people live alone where peacefulness and quiet is the norm. Silence may be the perfect work setting for those with hectic personal lives, but some people may prefer a stimulating work environment. When a place is too quiet, it can be hard to focus because of all the other things you could be doing or thinking about. Many employees need that stimulating conversation with co-workers in order to work effectively, and there is nothing wrong with that! Everybody works differently which again, is why having the option to work from home or in office should be the standard.
9. Cleanliness
Cleanliness is an aspect about working from home that not many people took into account. The desk or table that gets used for work at home does not magically clean itself every day, whereas the desk at work does get cleaned everyday. As if working from home wasn’t stressful enough, adding “organize work station” to the list is common for many people. Society owes a huge thank you to the office cleaners that keep the desks and work place clean for employees everyday, and for making the lives of employees a little easier.
10. Taking Care of Yourself
When working from home, it seems like an easy task to push through and do the work when feeling sick. The only problem when working while sick is people don’t actually get to focus on recovering, they test their limits to see how much they can get done. When feeling sick with an in office position, it’s much better to use a sick day to stay home and relax. This is nearly impossible with a work from home situation due to the fact that you’re “working from home” so really you get to relax while working, but mentally there is no relaxation.
After reading this, it could feel overwhelming moving into a new space. However, BOS has a comprehensive move checklist to help you get started!
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