Should we continue to work from home?

Did you enjoy working from home?

If you were offered the opportunity to continue working from home, would you do it?

Most analysts are saying that remote working is likely to stick with us, with more and more people choosing to connect virtually rather than in person. Not only will we work from home, but we might opt for a 4-day week or an increase in flexibility in terms of when we work.

For years, the ability to from home has been the dream for many people. Now we have had a taste but for some the reality has been nothing like their expectations.

We have learnt that working from home is not going to suit everyone.

Research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found 71% of employers are struggling to adjust to remote work, 65% say maintaining employee morale has been a challenge, and more than a third are facing difficulties with company culture.

Let’s look at this from the perspective of the individual. Here are some questions you need to ask yourself as you consider extending your working from home arrangements.

Can you cope with being “isolated” from the team? A recent survey showed that one of the main reasons people go to work, aside from money, was the social contact: the opportunity to work with friends. Would you be able to stay focused in the long term when you don’t have your workmates with you?

Are you ready to adapt to new technology? Some of us are slow to pick up on digital changes and some of simply dislike change.

Are you a self-manager? Can you self-motivate to stay on target? The pressure will be on to balance your time and energy around different interruptions and a relaxed approach to your work hours.

Can you control your perfectionism? Perhaps not surprisingly, many of us worry that we won’t seem as professional in our virtual meetings or team chats. It’s difficult to control the environment around you when you have kids and pets around you. It’s time to change your idea of ‘professional’ and look at the benefits of these insights into each other’s lives.

An article in Business Insider quotes Lawrence Raffone, CEO of Edelman Financial Engines who says, “Meetings that were once routine are now happening in makeshift offices, surrounded by family photos, interrupted by energetic kids and pets, and opening up a much deeper level of personal connection.” I think this is a great way to look at it.

Are you ready to grow? If there’s one thing clear from the recent changes, it’s that businesses are finally recognising the need to invest in the personal and professional development of their people and help them plan and become equipped for a true career in the organisation. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain new skills and ask for the opportunity to expand your experience.

“I love working from home! I get along with everyone in the office, I can show up in my pyjamas, and I’m always employee of the month.”

So, how do you feel about the prospect of working from home? What do you love and what do you dislike about it?