BENEFITS WORKING AT THE OFFICE
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, working from home has become the new standard and many people seem to like it so much they prefer to keep it this way. Research has shown that working from home does have benefits, you have more focus, you get more work done and you have more flexibility in your calendar. Also, you can hang around in you trainers or pyjama all day without having to switch to a fancy outfit! However you might want to think twice about working from home all week because working at the office has more benefits you might think!
𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹
People are social beings and often need it. Research shows that 41% of employees have felt more anxious and isolated than ever due to the lockdown, while 42% admitted they had struggled with their mental health more than usual in these months . Apart from the social aspect, it is also extremely important for teamwork and personal development. Communicating and discussing with your colleagues plays a crucial role in getting new ideas and expanding your knowledge. To have employees of all levels in the office creates a learning environment for everyone so they can develop their careers.
𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
The culture of an organisation has lots of influence on business performance, it increases retention , it elevates productivity and it increases the joy at work. The culture impact’s people’s wellbeing at work and makes us more passionate about our roles. To really get the culture of a company across, everyone in your company will need to embrace it. Without the office where everyone is physically present it’s harder to implement activities and practices that create a strong company culture.
𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸-𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
Even if you love your job, it’s not healthy to feel like you’re working during every waking hour. Everyone has a different attitude to balancing work and home, but research has long suggested that there are two broad groups: those who keep work and home separate are ‘segmenters’ and those who blend them both are ‘integrators’.
Segmenters are able to devote sufficient energy to personal and professional projects, even when one area becomes busy or stressful. They are also better at mentally ‘switching off’, which reduces stress. The office allows anyone to experience these benefits, regardless of their position on the segmenter/integrator spectrum; by having a clear ‘place of work’, one can physically leave it and draw a line under that part of the day.
𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵
People have need for a connection with other people even when you an introvert. Research shows us if we don’t have enough time with other people in real life, we experience declines in wellbeing, increases in disease and reduce lifespan. Being together in real life, for instance the office, is essential for our emotional and physical health. There even are some brain benefits from being with present with others. For instance it releases oxytocin, the feel-good chemical in our brains. Also, it tamps down brain chemicals like cortisol and adrenocorticotropin which in chronic quantities, are associated with high blood pressure, weight gain and heart disease.
𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
Yes, working from home Is a nice development and it really works for people in terms productivity and flexibility . However these benefits show that we shouldn’t forget how important it is to interact with people face-to-face. In a company you have to work as a team and learn from each other. Research shows working in the office present with your colleagues is the best way to do so. In the end it’s about finding the right balance between working from home and working at the office.
