How the Future of Working From Home Looks Like

Since the pandemic broke out around the world, it has had a significant impact on not only people’s lifestyles but also on many businesses’ operating structures. Working from home has become the new normal, and many employees continue to do so even when their circumstances improve. Working from home not only allows employees to work from the comfort of their own homes, resulting in more effective results, but it also drastically reduces business operating costs. Despite having a few drawbacks, it is not going away after establishing itself as a viable business model. As a result, a few logical reasons why working from home is here to stay and how its future looks like in different industries, are discussed in this YouTube video from CNBC Make It by futurist Amy Webb and Google’s VP of People, Brian Welle.

The video starts with a discussion about how, many people have forgotten how to work offline because they have become so accustomed to working from home, and how they are finding it difficult to return to their offices once they have been opened. As a result, it is critical to figure out what the future of work will look like and how you will fit into it. Although some companies still allow employees to work remotely or practice hybrid working, others still require employees to come into the office on a set number of days each week. In the video that follows this discussion, it is stressed that returning to work will not be easy and that there will be some new challenges to overcome. The changes in the way we work go far beyond how many days we go to the office and how long rush hour lasts. One of the most important points raised in the video is that some people will be working in fractional roles, which will present a significant challenge for them once the “return to work” process begins. Workplace relationships will be altered as people will have to relearn how to socialize, which could lead to more workplace conflicts if working from home is not fully implemented. There will also be more outbreaks of different viruses once working from home is compromised and people enter offices. There are still social and cultural tensions that are unresolved and must be resolved in order to implement positive work cultures. These tensions may not be related to the pandemic in any way. So, these are a few of the reasons discussed in the video as to why the future of working from home appears to be a bit hazy at first. However, in the latter part of the video, how working from home harmed productivity and performance is discussed.

As a result, it is clear that, while working from home has its benefits and drawbacks, returning to the office is far more important than it appears to be. Although many employees expect working from home to continue, which it may, the video establishes that returning to the office is just as important as providing flexibility to employees. However, the week could be structured to meet the needs of both by designating some days for working from home and others for working in offices. This YouTube video from CNBC Make It does an excellent job of explaining why working from home must evolve and remain a viable business model.