The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly revolutionised the way we work, causing a dramatic rise in remote working. Lockdowns forced many industries to adapt to working from home—a concept that was previously unthinkable for many. Three years on, this trend shows no signs of stopping. As of April 2023, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that 48% of UK workers are now using a hybrid work model. While this approach offers numerous benefits, it also presents challenges that can impact both personal and professional lives.
In this discussion, I will delve into the pros and cons of hybrid working. I will draw from my professional journey, starting before the pandemic when I was a full-time office-based Audit Trainee at KPMG, and compare it to my current role as a Senior Consultant at North Highland where I take a hybrid approach.
Firstly, hybrid working fosters a greater ability to balance work with personal life by promoting flexibility. It allows us to manage everyday tasks more efficiently, whether it’s fitting in a quick workout, getting to the post office before closing, or doing the school run. With hybrid working, you can tailor your schedule to suit your priorities and needs.
Moreover, the dreaded hours wasted on train platforms or cramped in sweltering tubes can be reclaimed for personal use. Instead of enduring a stressful commute, you gain extra time to invest in yourself and your well-being. This shift not only enhances your work-life balance but also provides the freedom to allocate time in ways that better serve your needs.
Many people claim working from home increases their focus and productivity. According to a study conducted by Standford University, productivity among remote workers increased by 13% compared to their in-office counterparts. This increase was attributed to a quieter and more convenient working environment, along with fewer interruptions and a more flexible work schedule.
While working from home offers numerous benefits, hybrid working can also bring unintended consequences to both personal and professional aspects of life. Research indicates a correlation between remote work and heightened feelings of isolation and loneliness, stemming from fewer face-to-face social interactions. This not only detrimentally affects wellbeing but may also hamper professional advancement as it can be more challenging to get support from colleagues or line managers, as well as impact on overall team collaboration. Consequently, this can result in reduced motivation, productivity, and ultimately impact overall work performance.
Working from home can further impact your wellbeing by blurring the boundaries between work and personal life. Studies show that 77% of remote workers experience difficulty separating their professional and personal lives. Additionally, research from Harvard Business School reveals that remote employees work an average of 1.4 hours longer per day compared to office-based counterparts. Commuting often serves as a buffer to decompress from work, but this transition is lost when working from home. The merging of work and relaxation spaces can exacerbate this issue, leading to higher stress levels and lower mental well-being, as highlighted in a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.
Working from home undeniably poses challenges in fostering meaningful relationships and clear communication with colleagues. Virtual communication methods, such as Teams or emails, are often perceived as more formal and less spontaneous than casual, in-person interactions like a quick chat by the coffee machine. This formality can make it harder to fully understand each other’s perspectives, leading to potential misunderstandings which can weaken professional relationships. Effective collaboration is integral to achieving personal career goals and organisational objectives.
Lastly, advancing and being promoted in your career can become more challenging when working remotely, as you miss out on the spontaneous, informal interactions with colleagues that naturally occur in an office setting. These chance encounters can lead to valuable conversations and new connections that might not happen in a remote environment. Similarly, gaining visibility within the firm, particularly among senior colleagues, is a crucial factor in career progression. When you’re not physically present in the office, you often miss opportunities to build these important relationships and to be seen and remembered by key decision-makers.
The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally reshaped working practices worldwide. While some industries have returned to full-time office work, hybrid working is increasingly seen as a lasting change. As discussed in this article, hybrid working offers numerous benefits, such as greater flexibility in managing schedules, reclaiming commuting time for other activities, and often boosting productivity and focus. However, remote work also presents challenges, including weakened relationships with colleagues, increased feelings of isolation and loneliness, difficulty in separating work from personal life, which can affect well-being, and the risk of missing out on career-enhancing opportunities.
From my experience, individuals have diverse preferences and work styles that best suit their unique lifestyles. This diversity highlights the importance of recognising the potential drawbacks of both full-time remote and office work. Allowing hybrid arrangements, such as spending a few days in the office and the rest working from home, provides valuable flexibility. In my view, mandating some level of office presence is crucial. It encourages employees to benefit from the in-person interactions and visibility that office work offers, while still enjoying the flexibility of remote work.
Andrea Harriman, Senior Consultant, North Highland