What are the advantages of working in an office?

An estimated 10% of employees in the European Union work from home. Since 2020 and the events we would all like to forget, this number has steadily increased. But 10% is still a small number overall, and it's fair to say we are not seeing the telecommuting revolution that many predicted in those days.

Practical considerations play a role here - Home office is not feasible for all companies and all departments. Many companies have also realized that there are many advantages of working in the office that they do not want to do without.

So what are the advantages of working in the office over working from home, and what is the ideal solution for modern businesses?

What are the advantages of working in an office?

The specific benefits of working in an office depend on the type of company and the daily work, but some of the most common are:

Easier work-life balance

The idea of working from home appeals to most people, but it is not suitable for everyone.

A seasoned freelancer might scoff at the fact that remote work can be distracting, but for someone who has spent their entire life in a regimented office environment, it can be a distraction.

Employees who have difficulty managing their time effectively, avoiding distractions, and separating personal from professional life will struggle with working from home. Of course, most of them will learn over time and may be happier then, but the truth is that some people prefer to have a clear separation between their work and personal lives.

It is easier to convey the company culture

It can be difficult to foster a corporate culture behind a screen. While videos and online meetings can achieve the desired results, it is often easier to convey the key points face-to-face.

socialization

When you work in an office, you are constantly surrounded by other people. Even the hardest-working and least sociable people cannot avoid talking to their colleagues and making friends. This not only helps employees build an active social life but also fosters team cohesion.

Simplified collaboration

Working in the office makes collaboration much easier because colleagues can communicate directly and personally. Spontaneous conversations and short discussions are possible without detours, which makes communication faster and more efficient. Misunderstandings are easier to clarify because nonverbal signals such as facial expressions and gestures contribute to better communication. Access to shared resources, such as meeting rooms or technical equipment, also supports smooth collaboration in the office.

An improved onboarding experience

It is easier to orient employees when they work in a real workplace. The company's senior management can show them around, explain the company culture and goals, and introduce them to the other members of the team.

This not only gives them a good idea of what the company does and where it wants to go, but also allows them to get to know their colleagues, which makes future collaboration easier, whether remote or on-site.

Can I be forced to work in an office?

This depends on your contract, but in most cases your employer can insist that you do your work in the office. However, employers have become more relaxed about remote work in recent years, and you can simply submit a request to work remotely.

If you can do your job remotely—and most employees can—there is no real reason why the employer should refuse. But they may, of course, believe that working in the office is more beneficial to their company than working remotely. In such cases, your application will probably be rejected.

What are the disadvantages of working in an office?

Despite the clear advantages, there are also many disadvantages of working in an office. This includes:

• Commuting: Telecommuters can wake up, get dressed, eat, and then go straight to work. This may make you more rested and less stressed. Office workers, on the other hand, have to commute, and this can mean traveling long distances during stressful rush hour. For many employees, this is one of the biggest disadvantages of working in an office.
• Flexibility: When working in an office, employees are bound to rigid schedules, but when working from home they are usually given more flexibility.
• Focus on work: While there are distractions at home, in the office employees can get caught up in office politics. This not only costs valuable time, but can also lead to tensions in the workplace.
• Less stress: Since telecommuting eliminates commuting and office politics, teleworkers are generally less stressed. They can work in their own time and with optimal comfort, which keeps them stress-free.

Hybrid work as a compromise

Working in an office has clear advantages, but also a number of disadvantages.

So what is the solution?

Well, for many, the answer is to choose a hybrid work solution that combines remote work and office work. In a hybrid model , employees divide their work between home and the office. They choose the days themselves and adapt their work to their schedule, or they are instructed by their employer when and where they work:

• You continue to commute, but can take a break to relax.
• You can gradually get used to remote work and find a suitable balance.
• They stay in touch with their colleagues and develop their social contacts without worrying too much about office politics.
• You can work together in person and using collaboration software.
• New employees can meet their colleagues in the office to break the ice before getting to know them through remote collaboration.

What are the best days to work in the office?

Which days are best for working in the office depends on the individual. However, they should be consistent to avoid scheduling problems. So if an employee works in the office two days a week, he should choose the same two days each week. This makes it easier for him to plan his private and professional life, and it is also easier for colleagues and customers because they know where to find him. Of course, this depends on the industry and may not apply to everyone.

For most employees, the best days to work in the office are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. This leaves Friday free so they can avoid commuting and make plans for the weekend, while leaving Monday free to avoid a stressful start to the week.

Flexopus: The desk sharing solution for a seamless hybrid office

Hybrid work and hybrid offices are no longer up-to-date without simple and reliable Desk Sharing software like Flexopus. The easier and more seamless a desk sharing tool can be integrated, the better. For precisely this reason, Flexopus was even awarded the German Design Award 2024 and provides both employees and managers with a variety of tools to make operations in hybrid offices as smooth as possible.

Conclusion

Some companies benefit more from working in the office than remotely, while others are better suited to remote work. However, most will function best with a hybrid work model that combines the freedom and flexibility of telecommuting with the collaboration, socialization, and productivity of office work.

Flexopus gives companies the tools they need to quickly and efficiently transition to a hybrid working model that is well-received by employees while also providing a range of benefits for the company.