It’s not over yet!
While there are obviously some jobs that cannot be done remotely – factory workers and train drivers, there isn’t much choice – but the Covid lockdowns showed that there are many that can.
However, despite the undoubted popularity of remote working it seems some companies are starting to insist their employees return to the office full time.
Following the lead of Microsoft, Amazon has now ordered its staff to return to the office, saying it offers employees the opportunity to “better invent, collaborate, and be connected”.
Other companies that require full-time office work including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley, and Tesla.
A 2020 survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), of 1,000 senior decision-makers in organisations found about a third struggled with “reduced staff interaction and cooperation”.
However, more than 40% of the managers said there was more collaboration when people were working from home.
Research from Stanford University found that workers were 13% more productive when working from home, mainly because workers had fewer breaks and sick days, and they could take more calls because it was quieter.
However, a second Stanford study found fully remote work can lead to a 10% drop in productivity compared with working in the office all the time.
Barriers to communication, lack of mentoring for staff, problems building a work culture, and difficulties with self-motivation were all cited.
The debate will go on. Research by VirginMedia O2 suggests only a minority – four in 10 firms – demand staff are at their desks five days a week.
Many bosses believe a “one-size-fits-all” approach remains inappropriate, acknowledging that in the right circumstances, hybrid and flexible working arrangements are valuable tools, not least because it can mean fewer overheads from leasing costly office space, and for staff cutting out commuter time.
With the Government linking flexibility to better performance and a more productive, loyal workforce, it is a debate with time still to run.