Once upon a time, the office was considered a must for conducting a productive business. Actually, it was considered the default, the only possibility for much too long. As the economy has grown into the 21st century, so has the discussion for new ways of conducting business. The necessity of the office has shifted over the years, especially so since the pandemic. 

When COVID-19 hit at the beginning of 2020, and mass lockdowns ensued, it became clearer than ever that business could go on as normal in a lot of sectors. Especially evident in computer-based professions like the tech sector. Because most sectors were able to transition to the online model, the idea of an office and the extent to which it was necessary has been a major topic in the business world.

Companies could cut expenses by selling their office space, and employees could save time and energy commuting to a location that wasn’t necessary, but many have asked whether it is sustainable. And is it a business model that could keep both companies afloat and employees happy? The answer… varies.

Survey Says…

In a survey conducted by the OAW, it was found that of the 1000 respondents, over half were forced to work from home. The respondents were those employed in the US high tech sector, including software, information services, and data, or scientific or technical services. 

The results also showed that work locations shifted to 28% working from a main or satellite office during the pandemic, 54% working from home and 19% splitting time. A major jump from traditional figures and the default working form office model!

Interestingly, 83% anticipate their employer making permanent or long-lasting changes to their office or work location structure. 41% say such changes are definitely on the horizon. 35% favor flexibility, citing that they want to work 3 or 4 days a week from an office, though nearly equal proportions want to be in the office both less often and more often. 

A majority of the tech workforce reports improved productivity during the pandemic due to increased learning, decreased commute, and fewer distractions. More than half of tech workers say they’ve become more productive during the pandemic, compared to 31% who say they’ve become less productive with the shift. Workers say that they’ve learned more and had fewer distractions.

Though, it’s not all positive results from a switch to at-home working. Those who are not fans of remote working cite decreased productivity and general anxiety as a reason. It’s also no surprise that they experience more difficulty communicating with colleagues, which simultaneously creates productivity hindrance. 

As such, tech workers overwhelmingly state that an office environment improves their careers and productivity levels, but they want a greater sense of flexibility that remote working offers. A substantial 98% report at least one major benefit from working in a central office. And an equal 98% report at least one major benefit from working in a home office. With benefits on both sides, it’s clear that the tech workforce seeks a hybrid model or one that is more flexible. 

Benefits of Maintaining a Central Office

Above all else, it is clear that workers want flexibility. While an in-person working environment provides many benefits, there are also plenty of benefits for at-home working as well. Businesses may see the best results among their employed team if they can extract what works for each employment model and combine the two for a flexible option. 

For example, a split week where employees are required to come into the office every other day for presentations or meetings. Some offices may only require an in-person meeting once a week in which the workforce can have an environment to share and problem solve. 

Some companies even offer employees the option where they can choose when they are in the office or when they are at home. These companies recognize the benefits of both and that their workforce is diverse. Thus they offer multiple formats for productivity. This way, workers can choose to commute to the office when a child is out of school or vice versa. While it’s not for everyone, the opportunity to work from anywhere allows more workers to perform well. 

Workers May Want Office Option, but not Full-Time

Above all else, it is clear that workers want flexibility. While an in-person working environment provides many benefits, there are also plenty of benefits for at-home working as well. Businesses may see the best results among their employed team if they can extract what works for each employment model and combine the two for a flexible option. 

For example, a split week where employees are required to come into the office every other day for presentations or meetings. Some offices may only require an in-person meeting once a week in which the workforce can have an environment to share and problem solve. 

Some companies even offer employees the option where they can choose when they are in the office or when they are at home. These companies recognize the benefits of both and that their workforce is diverse. Thus they offer multiple formats for productivity. This way, workers can choose to commute to the office when a child is out of school or vice versa. While it’s not for everyone, the opportunity to work from anywhere allows more workers to perform well. 

Employee’s happiness and well-being have been proven to directly correlate with their work output. A worker forced to perform in an environment they do not thrive in will only lead to lackluster results. As such, it’s important that companies are attentive to the needs of their employees and what is best for the company. 

Success should be at the forefront of every company’s mission, and offering abundant flexibility is one way to get there. As the world plans to return to the office, it’s vital that companies consider what will lead to the best results, especially after a year of chaos when many companies took a hit. If you’re thinking of opening a satellite office to benefit your employees and company, check out OAW.