Which Is Better: Work From Home or Work From Office, or Hybrid?

On a global scale, the COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed the way we work and travel in our daily lives. While there was some acceptance of working from home before the pandemic, the response of governments and huge organizations has driven this tendency to extremes.

These are just a few of the thoughts that are circulating between employees as the pandemic fades and we attempt to return to the new ‘new normal,’ which for some was the old normal.

WFH (Work From Home)

Let’s start by defining a few terms. Work from Home, which we did on occasion prior to the pandemic, became standard during the pandemic. We got into the habit of working from our beds, dressed in shorts, sweatpants, or pajamas. Some of us, on the other hand, had to juggle home-schooling, daycare, several users on the home network, barking dogs when deliveries were delivered, and speaking in a low register so that other people within hearing distance would not be disturbed. With the camera turned off, we could multitask one item while still participating in the conference through audio. If you didn’t grow a beard or wear make-up for the video meeting, you’ll get bonus points. If you forget, simply turn off the video and listen. If the camera was turned on, you’d have all those people gazing at you when all they were trying to do was actually listen.

WFO (Work From Office)

Work from Office (WFO) is a new word for what used to be full-time work with long hours, a long commute, several face-to-face meetings, in-person social interaction, getting to work early so you can get work done before all the meetings, and staying late to get more work done. If you received a real lunch hour, you’d get food from a local eatery.

CEOs are pressuring staff to revert to the old way of working when they had more choice over how and what they worked on. When everyone is in the same place, management is easier.

Hybrid

As the pandemic fades, a compromise on the job future has emerged. Depending on the circumstances, three days in the office, two days at home, or vice versa. Which three days are they?

Alternatively, there’s the chance of a unique permutation. Shift your laptop from one side to the other. As COVID variants wax and wane, this may become the new normal, with health and safety safeguards in place.

Each has its own set of advantages. WFH has fewer interruptions, is free of office politics, has more time to focus, is quieter and more comfortable, has more family time, and spends less time commuting.

WFO employees missed their coworkers and water cooler conversations, and several felt lonely at home.

Eye strain is common among people working from home who spend their days staring at a computer screen. The 20-20-20 rule is a helpful trick: After every 20 minutes of screen usage, take a 20-second break and look away at something at least 20 feet away. Taking regular screen breaks allows your eyes to relax and prevents eye strain.

Going from one meeting to the next, whether on camera or not, causes many workers to suffer from tiresome “Zoom fatigue.” There will be no pauses; simply take something from the kitchen and eat some Ramen noodles while the camera is turned off, wipe your chin, then switch the camera back on while actively participating in the meeting. Rinse and repeat on a daily basis. This virtual meeting tiredness is real, and psychologists and sociologists are now studying it.

Assess your organization based on its core values. Compare and contrast the two. If one doesn’t work, try the other. Will hybrid be enough to meet everyone’s needs? If not, polish your resume and be willing to take a chance to work for a company that shares your beliefs, whether WFH, WFO, or Hybrid, because all three are likely to be there for a long time now.

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The post Which Is Better: WFH, WFO, or Hybrid? appeared first on AMCAT Blog | Job success tips.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Leader Desk Team and is published from a syndicated feed.)