Office Life Is So 2019: Why More Companies Should Go Hybrid
When my company first started working remotely back in March of 2020, I panicked. How will I stay focused at home? I thought. How long can this possibly last?
More than a year later, I’m still working remotely. And, like many of my friends and colleagues, I’ve grown to appreciate the work-from-home lifestyle. Prefer it, even.
Here’s what I’ve realized: We humans are simply not wired for nine-to-five office jobs. The eight-hour workday itself is outdated—it’s a product of the Industrial Revolution. Jobs were labor-intensive back then, and productivity was measured differently. Now, most of us sit at desks, stare at screens, and scroll on our phones.
Studies suggest that today’s workers are only “productive” for about three hours a day. Yet we’re still expected to commute, sit in a cubicle, and leave only after the clock strikes five. (Many employers praise folks who work after hours, which is even more problematic, but I’ll save that rant for another day.)
Eight-hour workdays aside, I can definitively say that I’ve been more productive working from home. I feel less distracted, less stressed, and more grounded. I no longer have to book a conference room to focus. (I used to do this all the time. I’m a writer with ADHD.) I can sit at my desk in the quiet of my home and create content that’s more polished, thoughtful, and effective.
I’m not alone: 77% of remote employees say they’re more productive working from home, while 80% report feeling less stressed. Our output improves, and so does our mental health.
Working from home also allows me to spend breaks completing household tasks that would otherwise have to wait until I got home, usually around 6pm. I spend more time outside (my vitamin D deficiency is grateful for this!) and more time moving my body. I can prioritize loved ones, too. (My long-distance relationship would not have been possible without remote work.)
My overall sense of “home” has changed. I feel more connected to my space and to my community. We crave that, don’t we? A strong sense of place, relationships with our neighbors, and a home that feels lived-in, like a true extension of ourselves. (I realize I am privileged not only to have a job, but also a home that is safe and comfortable. Many folks have neither.)
Lately, I feel like I’m waking up to what it means to be human. My work is important to me, but it does not define me, nor does it suck valuable time into the obsolete vacuum of in-person workdays. I can be freer, more flexible, and more in tune with the world around me.
Many companies are catching on to the benefits of remote work and are allowing more flexibility for their employees. If you’re trying to sell the remote-work prospect to your employer, “I feel happier and get more sunshine” might not be your strongest argument. Incredibly, an increase in productivity might not be enough, either. Tell them they can save an average of $11,000 annually per half-time telecommuter with a 25% lower turnover rate, and you’re onto something. (Fun fact: Remote employees save, too. About $4,000/year.)
While it’s easy for me to sing the praises of remote work, it has its downfalls, too. The biggest one, for me, is loneliness. I miss office banter and casual conversation. I also live alone with only a loud, obese feline to keep me company. With this in mind—combined with an appreciation for the occasional face-to-face touchbase or brainstorm—I’d advocate for a hybrid schedule. A number of companies, including Target, Ford, TIAA, and Citigroup, are adopting this model. Will it require some major adjustments? Sure. Will it have its challenges? Of course. Does it make the most sense for the new world we’re living in? Absolutely.
If you work from home, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you been more or less productive? Do you want to return to the office? What do you think about a hybrid work schedule?
