Remote vs. Office: Where should you be working?

We’ve all become a lot more familiar with remote working since 2020, with professionals across varied industries experiencing changes in their work patterns. While remote work has been common in tech roles for decades, it did take a while for some organizations to adjust, and now many are facilitating a return to office. 

If you’ve been asked to change your work pattern recently, it can be a challenging decision to make. What will suit you currently – remote, hybrid, or office-based? 

However, a more pressing question remains…if you don’t feel like your current company are offering the workplace options you need, is it time to make a move? You wouldn’t be alone if the answer is yes – recent research has found that 8 in 10 employers have lost talent to return-to-office mandates.

We’ll help you figure it out, let’s take a look at the advantages of remote and office-based working, so you can figure out what’s most important to you.

Pros of Remote Working

1. Work-Life Balance: Remote work can provide a better work-life balance. The flexibility to set your own hours allows for easier management of personal activities, like family commitments or midday errands. You can adjust your working hours to match your most productive times, provided your job allows for this flexibility.
2. Fewer Distractions: Working from home, if managed well, can mean fewer distractions than a bustling office environment. While household distractions (like children or pets) can pose challenges, setting clear boundaries for your home office can enhance focus and productivity.
3. Cost Savings: The cost savings of working from home can be significant. In North America, commuting expenses can add up, whether it’s gas, public transportation, or vehicle maintenance. Additionally, the time saved from not commuting can be used for extra rest, starting work earlier, or other personal activities.
4. Improved Mental Health: Avoiding a daily commute, reducing exposure to office politics, and having more time for self-care can positively impact your mental health. Flexible work options, including remote work, often correlate with better work-life balance, less stress, a healthier sleep schedule, and more time for exercise.
5. Wider Opportunities: If your prospective employer allows you to work from out of state, or even out of country, working remotely can open a much wider range of job opportunities for you. You won’t be limited to jobs within a commutable distance, you can look much further afield and in turn, you’ll have more choice in the team/project you want to join.

Pros of Office-Based Working

1. Enhanced Workplace Relationships: Working in an office provides more opportunities for face-to-face interactions with your colleagues, which can help build stronger workplace relationships. In-person communication allows for better reading of body language and social cues, leading to more effective and nuanced conversations. It also facilitates spontaneous collaboration, making it easier to share ideas and solve problems quickly.
2. Better Understanding of Company Culture: Being physically present in the office often leads you to a deeper understanding of the company culture and operations. You can observe and participate in the day-to-day activities that define the company’s ethos and values. If you’re a new hire, being in the office can make onboarding smoother and help you feel more connected to the team and the organization.
3. Clear Separation of Work and Personal Life: An office-based work environment provides a clear physical separation between work and home, which can help you maintain boundaries between your professional and personal life. Having a designated workspace away from home allows you to mentally switch off from work when you leave the office, making it easier to relax and recharge.
4. Reduced Feelings of Isolation: For many people, working in an office offers a sense of community and reduces feelings of isolation that can come from working remotely. The opportunity to socialize with colleagues, share a lunch break, or have casual conversations can significantly enhance your job satisfaction and overall well-being.

The Hybrid Solution

For many, hybrid working, which combines remote and office-based work, offers a balanced approach. This model will provide you with flexibility, while allowing for regular in-person interactions, which can be beneficial for team collaboration and maintaining a strong connection to the company culture.

Ultimately, it comes down to your own personal preference. With advancements in remote working tools and cloud technology, it’s possible for more organizations to embrace remote working in North America. If you’re considering a return to office, or a fully remote role, think about your own work preferences and which environment will best support your productivity and well-being. If your current role doesn’t offer the flexibility you desire, it might be worth exploring other opportunities that better align with your work-life balance needs. 

Want to know more about what’s out there? Focus Cloud Group can help. We have been operating in the cloud technology recruitment space for 15 years, and our Recruitment Specialists are dedicated to their niche. Let’s start a conversation, and help you figure out exactly what you need from your next job role. Get in touch here .