Is hybrid working really an issue?

Written by: Anthony Whyte, General Manager Talent International, APSCo Australia Vice Chair

It is roughly a year since the worst of Covid and our daily lives have now returned to some level of normality, so why is there still diverse thinking and views regarding hybrid working?

Those of us working in the white-collar space are in the main fortunate that we can work from anywhere that has a stable internet connection. Those less fortunate, people who perform roles that require face-to-face interaction aren’t afforded this so called luxury like our trades people; teachers, medical professionals right down to the owner of the corner café.

The pandemic forced us to change the way we worked, but is it all roses?

Let us take a brief look at some of the benefits of working from home (the Pro’s).

• Improved Work/Life Balance –this is the big-ticket item and people often referencing their improved mental health as the biggest single benefit, followed by more quality time spent with their immediate family.

• Removal of Office Distractions –this can take many forms from constant interruptions from work colleagues; phone calls and meetings and we all know it takes time to re-engage the brain after any form of disruption.

• Financial Savings – no more bus, tram or train expenses and/or huge savings for those that drive to and from work each day with no car parking or car running costs. Even small savings from not buying your morning coffee or lunch each day all adds up over the year.

• No Commuting – the big saving here is ‘time’ unless you are disciplined and listen to pod casts to and from work, and let’s not mention the frustration of being constantly stuck in traffic. Removing this ‘dead’ time can save you between 1-2 hours daily.

• Improved Productivity and Enjoyment – by having the freedom to create your own working space at home, employees are in a better position to go about their tasks by being in a better frame of mind, resulting in superior work output than those that don’t.

Where there’s Pro’s there are also Con’s:

• Social Isolation – One of the huge benefits of working in an office is the social or ‘fun’ aspect of going to work. We have seen a dramatic increase in employees seeking help due to poor mental health as a result of being isolated, many of these people saying that they are lonely and losing touch with society.

• Not another Online Meeting – There is a new medical condition called Zoom Fatigue. The phenomenon has been attributed to an overload of nonverbal cues and communication that does not happen in normal conversation and the increased average size of groups in video calls. If an online meeting is required; dress appropriately; have your camera on and your microphone on mute and keep them to under 30 mins.

• New Distractions - whilst office distractions are removed, new ones can take their place. School drop-off/pickups; courier deliveries; friends dropping in unannounced; a great TV show on in the background; barking dogs; building works; do I need to go on! It can be hard to concentrate and get into the zone some days.

• Work / Life balance – for some people they struggle to separate the two, especially those that don’t have a home office or lack routine. On the other hand, some people work harder and longer from home without any ‘me time,’ thus creating other longer term health issues.

We all need to be mindful that blanket rules no longer work in todays new world of work and that your health plays a critical role in both your wellbeing and success. So in summary, do what best works for you and your employer.