Ah, office! That splendid building that serves tea with more sugar than milk, ergonomic seats that pinch more than a Delhi autorickshaw driver, and that one colleague who re-heats fish dish every Tuesday (common, not on Tuesdays), spreading its ‘aroma’ across the entire floor. No one wants to be there, but recently, there has been a buzz in the corporate circle: the great return to the office.
At this point, you may be asking yourself, “Haven’t I perfected the art of the perfectly timed yawn during a Zoom call while simultaneously searching for cute dog videos?”
Yes, remote work has its advantages (sitting in your pajamas all day because who wants to wear formal all day?). However, many businesses are calling their employees back to the office battlefields. Bigger companies are compelling employees to work from the office… 5 days a week, some 6.
Why? Buckle up because we are about to get into the reasons.
- Collaboration accompanied by distraction (Jugaad collaboration): Remember the brainstorming sessions? Those pre-pandemic discussions in which extroverts bounced ideas off the walls faster than a cricket ball? Companies feel that in-person interactions promote innovation and teamwork. Sure, you can virtually whiteboard from the comfort of your own sofa, but there’s something about being compelled to interact with colleagues that may ignite creativity.
- Establishing Company Culture: Let’s face it: video calls can lead to misunderstandings. It is very common for a sarcastic email tone to be misunderstood. The office, with its ‘chai pe charcha’ discussions and awkward lift rides, provides a deeper understanding of your coworkers.You learn about their bizarre behavior, poor jokes, etc. The corporations believe it builds a stronger company culture, which may prevent you from wanting to mute everyone permanently.
- Fear of the Unknown:
Some managers find comfort in the traditional workplace setting. They can see their staff, who are physically present and presumably working tirelessly (or pretending to work diligently, because, let’s be honest, everyone glances through Instagram on occasion). Some people are concerned that remote work may reduce productivity or cause a loss of focus. There have even been jokes about “management by walking around,” which essentially means, “If I can see you at your desk, you must be working!” While research has proven that remote employees can be just as, if not more, effective, the old-school belief that “physical presence equals productivity” can be difficult to overcome. - The sunk cost error:
Many corporations had already invested millions of dollars in the office before the outbreak. And, honestly, it’s a waste if people don’t use it.Google , a business notorious for giving employees incentives to stay in the workplace as long as possible, began reconfiguring its offices to accommodate pandemic circumstances as seen during COVID-19 times.According to the New York Times, the corporation collaborated with experts to build semicircular workspaces with screen displays and transportable “team pods” in approximately 10% of its global workspaces.Google also mandated that its #employees return to the workplace at least three days each week by April 2022.
- Tax Rebate:
A lot of these companies are in SEZ (special economic zones) that have been provided by the Government(s) to these companies at a very low cost and they also get good tax rebates for operating from there (nothing to do with electoral bonds, really). The Government intends to develop the surroundings. More people coming to the place helps in development.
WFH takes away this development opportunity, hence the Government may end the rebate. And one thing that companies care about more than anything is ‘money’.
Ultimately, the idea is to strike a balance that benefits both you and your business. If returning to the office means giving up your newfound love of working in your PJs, ALWAYS NEGOTIATE!
Companies are increasingly recognizing the value of a happy workforce and a flexible schedule could be the ideal solution.
So, buy new clothes if, like me, you have gained weight after overeating delicious home food. Office, here we come.
