Email: How do we decide when to work from home versus the office? (US)
We can choose a hybrid approach to work – an optimum mix of working from home & the office. How will we decide where to spend each day? Isn’t as obvious as it seems. We have found things to love about working from home like flexibility, ability to focus, no commute. Now, that offices will re-open, we can remember what we love about the office too – joys of collaboration, endless pots of coffee.
Companies will allow employees to split their time between home & workplace to maximise productivity & personal well-being. The key is identifying which parts of our job are best accomplished where. For tasks needing face-to-face collaboration, the office works. For extended concentration, stay home. An inter-dependent work routine. Online co-operation strengthens teams, improves communication.
To create a hybrid plan, we can analyse our work patterns to understand which factors affect our passion & productivity – personal rhythm. Then, match it with our goals & plans. We tend to think of productivity in terms of hours worked. But, an effective measure is the actual result (goals completed, sense of achievement, overall value).
If our productive time or moods vary, are there correlations (time spent in meetings, sleep hours)? Any divergences between home & office days? Are there tasks we complete more efficiently at home? Do meetings have the same impact on our mood or productivity when they’re face-to-face or via a video?
Once we know which kinds of tasks we do best at home & at the office, the big picture is clear. Helps review responsibilities, determine which workload is best handled where. Perhaps, this quarter involves planning a conference, a collaborative process in the office. But, the next quarter is writing an annual report needing focused time at home. If our boss is skeptical about the value of remote work, we can offer a trial period. The future is a hybrid workplace.