WFH or WFO, Which one do you prefer the most?

What is WFH?

Work from home refers to work done from home rather than at an office. The notion is referred to by the acronym “WFH.” Work from Home is also known as remote work, distance working, remote job, and work from anywhere.

During the global Coronavirus pandemic, many companies moved their staff from the office to a work-from-home approach.

What is WFO?

WFO refers to work from the office.

We raised the Poll on linkedin last month, you can see the result below: 72% of people working from home today say they’re not going into their office/workspace because they don’t want to.

Here is the another poll:

As You can see in the poll, 66% people feel the most productive at home. As per research, Workers who work from home are 35-40% more productive than those who work in an office.

Benefits of Work from home (WFH)

There are numerous instances in which a work-from-home arrangement is advantageous to both the business and the employee:

1) Reduced or no commute

The absence of a commute is one of the key advantages of working from home. In India, people travel to and from work for at least 2 hours every day on average. This not only wastes time that could be spent more efficiently but also makes it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It’s normal for someone who works a regular 9-to-5 (or 6) job and spends 7% of their day stuck in traffic to feel like they don’t have a life outside of work. However, when you can accomplish your work from the comfort of your own couch, it doesn’t seem as burdensome.

2) Better Work-Life Balance

It’s vital to understand that work isn’t the end-all and be-all of life. You have a life outside of work, but spending nearly half of your day in an office makes that seem unreal. Furthermore, employees might easily become burned out if they have a tight schedule jam-packed with work. Most companies that enable workers to work from home(WFH) also allow them to determine their own working hours, which means that employees can start and stop their days whenever they want as long as their tasks are accomplished and positive results are produced. Controlling your work schedule is critical when it comes to attending to the needs of your personal life.

3) It saves money while also lowering carbon emissions.

Working from home saves money for both the employee and the company: the employee saves money on travel, food, and other miscellaneous expenses that arise during the course of a working day, while the company saves money on energy costs and other related expenses that would have been unavoidable in a fully operational office. While these tactics are beneficial to your wallet, they are also beneficial to the environment: a shorter commute means fewer cars on the road, which unknowingly contributes to the cleaning up of our environment, which is a critical issue.

4) Trust-Based Empowerment

In such a setup, the employees’ sense of independence and the company’s faith in them have a good impact on their productivity. Working from home can sometimes provide benefits to their families as a result of their presence. Commuting to and from work saves a lot of time that may be spent with family. Employee morale is boosted by this sense of empowerment.

5) Improved Engagement and Skill Development

A home-based employee contributes more since they are invested in their own progress as well as the company. They gain expertise in a variety of remote processes, and they finally learn to manage several team walkouts even in such a divided environment.

6) More Mobility

At work, you are not confined to a desk, allowing you to move around. You are welcome to stop by a nearby coffee shop and get a cup while working. Being mobile and able to work where you like can motivate you to be more productive and less stressed.

7) More Productive

You can increase your productivity by working from home. There won’t be any interruptions from coworkers while you try to finish your task. You can set your own timetable when you’re at home. Zoom meetings are probably going to happen, but you can work more efficiently with fewer interruptions.

Cons of WFH (Working From Home)

1) Expensive equipment

You must offer the appropriate equipment to your team. Unlike in a traditional office setting, where employees may share some equipment, you will need to provide them for each of your staff.

2) Days Blur Together

Even if you are not at an office when you work from home, you still need to keep track of days and times. Your days may blend together if you work from home. You might end up skipping meetings or working slowly as a result. If you are not being as productive as you should be while working from home, the flexibility that is provided may wind up being an issue.

3) There are numerous distractions

The distinction between family and work blurs at home. It is difficult to distinguish between personal and work time. Pets, children, chores, television, and even neighborhood activity can easily distract you. More work-from-home distractions and how to prevent them to ensure WFH productivity are listed below.

4) Isolation from others

It’s easy to feel cut off from society when there are no face-to-face encounters. You lose your sense of belonging and don’t feel like you’re a part of the group. If left neglected, this might have a detrimental impact on staff turnover.

5) Information access is restricted

One of the most difficult aspects of remote work is gaining access to information. You can’t just walk into another person’s cubicle and ask for feedback or specifics on a current project in a WFH scenario.

6) Solidarity 

You may become less social if you work from home. You share a space with where you work, dine, and sleep. When you work in an office, you can communicate with other people, but at home, it’s just you. This lonesome work can make you depressed and may possibly be less advantageous to your health.

Benefits of Work from office(WFO)

1) You have a well-defined timetable  Most likely, you work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or have a defined office schedule. This is a significant advantage when compared to remote work. Your schedule is substantially lengthier when you work from home, and you must strike a balance between your personal and professional lives. This can cause lots of new issues. For these reasons, working in an office establishes set working hours, and you may rest comfortably that you will not work any longer than is necessary.

2) You have face-to-face communication  Many employees prefer face-to-face interactions with their coworkers and clients. This brings them much more comfort and pleasure. Body language may teach you a lot, and it can also help you adjust your words to the circumstances. Only if you work in an office is this possible.

Considering all of these benefits, we may infer that well-organized office work is well-managed.

3) Socialization –

You have many opportunities to mingle when working at an office. You can take a break, stroll across the building, and chat with coworkers.

To keep in touch with your coworkers, several businesses host birthday and anniversary celebrations as well as social events off the clock. You can interact with people while working.

4) Expectations 

When you work in an office, you are aware of your responsibilities and when they are due. Your manager will ensure that you stay on task and complete your tasks in a timely manner.

You are allowed to take occasional breaks, but if you take too many or don’t do the task that is expected of you in a timely manner, you will be informed. You and other workers may benefit from managers’ ability to work hands-on in an office setting.

5) Variety of Food 

You can choose between eating in or eating out while you work in an office. You can probably choose from a wide selection of neighbouring restaurants that are accessible on foot. Additionally, several workplaces offer a variety of healthful lunch options. You have the option to go somewhere fresh and fascinating to help break up your day even if you decide to carry your lunch.

Disadvantage of Working from Office

1) Routine interruptions – Being in a larger workplace just makes communication more fluid and easy, which could lead to a noisier working atmosphere. The worker’s productivity can suffer as a result of this potential distraction.

2) Inadequate privacy – Because they are less extroverted than others, some people may not like teamwork as much. This is a drawback if we work in open workplaces and areas because the more reserved individuals could end up feeling uneasy.

3) Increased stress and/or anxiety – In an office setting, you could experience greater pressure from both your superiors and your own coworkers. The person may experience stress at work as a result, which will reduce productivity and ability to work.

4) Inflexible – When you return to the office, the time of everything in a typical day might change just a little. You might not have control over task pacing, meetings, coffee breaks, lunch breaks, or any of these things at all. Some persons who are being asked to return to work full-time may be discouraged by this rigidity.

5) Resuming the Commute – Many people’s daily journey to work is part of “the grind.” Whether travelling by automobile, carpool, train, or bus, the commute can interfere with newly priority family obligations, hobbies, sports, and other activities. If your priorities have maintained your wellbeing during the pandemic, this may feel like a loss.

6) Less Autonomy – Your autonomy as a worker will definitely decline as a result of being on a team in the workplace. For the majority of us, this entails shared initiatives, teamwork, and perhaps even a more regimented timetable. For some people, this constitutes a disadvantage to office job, even though it may be enticing if you’ve felt a significant shortage in this area.

There are some downsides to working in an office, which we will explore below:

• You must spend time commuting to and from work.
• Professional attire is required.
• You will be surrounded by a large number of coworkers, some of whom may be irritating.

Where Does Work From Home(WFH) vs. (WFO)Work From Office Fit in the Future?

Even those who benefit from both schools of thought are bewildered by the work-from-home(WFH) vs. work-from-office(WFO) debate since the advantages of either are too lucrative to ignore. However, we believe that striking a balance between the two is the way to go. To keep the benefits of a work-from-home environment while also eliminating the suffocating of creativity and workflow in a firm, divide the work week into days when staff can work from home and days when they must go to the office.

On days when people come to work, brainstorming and meetings might go awry, and these ideas can be transformed into finished products at home. This allows both businesses and employees to achieve a desirable work-life balance, and it creates the ideal work structure for the future.

Working from home is becoming increasingly popular since it offers numerous benefits such as eliminating commutes, boosting productivity, and allowing you to be more flexible with your schedule, allowing you to spend more time with your family or pursue hobbies.

Many firms, from large pharmaceutical companies to tiny businesses, have structured their work environments such that their employees can work from home if necessary. Many businesses now include work-from-home options in their business continuity plans.

This may appear thrilling at first, but if the internet goes down, the dog wants to play, and you lose enthusiasm in the afternoons, you may find yourself feeling unproductive.

Conclusion:

Working from home has unique benefits and drawbacks compared to working in an office. Workplace trends have changed since the pandemic. Options for in-office, hybrid, or remote employment are being offered by businesses. If you can choose, it’s crucial to do it in a way that respects your own priorities and meets your needs. At QACraft, we have remote team as well in-house team.

Consider your benefits and cons carefully when considering whether to work from home or in an office to determine which option would best position you for success.