Office vs Hybrid working: Should you commit to the full week?
Working in an office and working on a hybrid remote/office schedule are two different ways of working that have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Explore the differences between these two working styles and how they can impact productivity.
Choose which one ultimately works for you, and the distance of your commute and the logistics of your personal life (kids, car, what have you) may very well be the thing that tips the scales.
Working in an Office
Working in an office means that all employees are physically present at your place of work for a set number of hours each day.
Advantages
In-person collaboration. Working in an office allows for face-to-face interactions with colleagues, which can lead to more efficient and effective collaboration.
Clear separation between work and home. Being physically present at work can help create a clear separation between work and home life, which can make it easier to focus on work during work hours.
Consistency. Creating habits and a routine is powerful. The benefit to office-only is that you can eliminate the back-and-forth and energy it takes to manage a hybrid schedule, with constant requests to switch days or get someone up to speed who was missing.
Disadvantages
Commuting. Commuting to an office can be time-consuming and stressful, and can eat into valuable time that could be spent on work or personal activities. Burnout is a risk either way,
Limited flexibility. Being physically present at work during set hours can limit your ability to take care of personal responsibilities or pursue outside interests.
Working on a Hybrid Remote/Office Schedule
Working on a hybrid schedule means that you split your time between working remotely and working in an office. This can involve working from home a few days a week and coming into the office for the rest of the week, or it can involve working from home for a set number of hours each day and coming into the office for the rest of the day.
Advantages
Increased flexibility. You may have more time on WFH days to take care of personal stuff or get in a nice afternoon hike, or make those cupcakes you forgot and bring them to the school real quick.
No commute time. Working remotely a few days a week can save time and stress that would be spent yelling at the bumper in front of you.
Disadvantages
Lack of in-person interaction. There’s nothing worse than the feeling that something magical happened at the water cooler or in the break room or in the hallway or at the end of the meeting and you just weren’t there for it. It’s true, you weren’t. And if those folks don’t bring that conversation online, you may miss it.
Difficulty separating work and home. It can be harder to separate work and home life when your toddler is screaming their head off in the other room, which can make it harder to focus on work during work hours, and life during life hours.
Inconsistency. You may miss important conversations in the office, or feel less productive when you’re constantly context-switching and trying to remember to pack a lunch or not. Conserve this daily energy by knowing what you’re doing every day, and making that routine as comfortable and efficient as possible.
Impact on Productivity
Working on a hybrid remote/office schedule can be more or less productive than working in an office every day depending on you. Some people may find that working from home allows them to focus better and be more productive, and others may find that the lack of structure and in-person interactions negatively impacts their productivity.
Know thyself; and be ready to choose what works best for you, even if it isn’t your favorite.
While working in an office allows for in-person collaboration and clear separation between work and home, working on a hybrid schedule can provide increased flexibility and reduced commute time. Ultimately, the best working style is one works best for you and your company.
