WFH
As the pandemic took a hit on everyone this past two years, companies had to innovate and create a new way of working whilst quarantining to stay somewhat “safe”. Now, 2022, WFH is here to stay.. at least for those that can complete their day to day job while wearing a nice blouse on top and really old pjs below. At first, I was a bit skeptical about the WFH situation, not because I thought my background was not aesthetic as it could be, but because I had to start my first big girl job ONLINE… seriously.. pretty much only saw my colleagues twice for the first two years of my job.
Luckily, it brought an “agile” side of me to adapt to these new changes and of course, the nice budget that we got to buy office supplies for home also helped it make it a better transition. You’d think that starting at a new company working remotely would be horrific, but actually, it turned out to be one of the best ways to start my professional career ( + those online cocktails parties always helps).
CONS
Connection. I think one of the hardest obstacles to overcome with hybrid working is the connecting with colleagues. The culture and behavioural side of a job atmosphere is getting affected by the lack of physical meetings within a company. Although plans are thrown around to meet up… let’s face it, NOT everyone actually will be at the office unless there is a team event or so.
The effort to connect with colleagues must come from within. This is specially hard for introverts like myself. However, planning and scheduling a half hour catch-up with some of them is improving the connection in the team and also forces you to have that talk because there is no excuse to cancel the meeting.. everyone knows you are at home with your pjs.
Children. Not saying that if you have a kid that is wrong, but it can be really hard to enjoy the WFH lifestyle if you have children that count on you. Most of the people I talked with hate wfh because their children are always distracting them.. I can’t relate but I do feel for u.
PROS
Autonomy/Balance over day & agenda. This is such an important element that many people are starting to realize. There is not a better feeling to wake up and not have to travel for an hour to get to the location of your employment. As well, eating at home with your loved ones.. (aka, eating food that does not cost half of your salary.. definitely not attractive during this inflation period). Going to the gym and coming back home for your meetings. Doing last minute errands whilst listening to a meeting.
Productivity. Although I had a hard time focusing while working at home because my bed was so close in distance, over the weeks, I actually managed to do WAY more at home than in the office. Nowadays, if I go to the office, I feel like half the time I will spend trying to eavesdrop and the other half trying to figure out who the people walking on my floor are.
Conclusion
The Hybrid WoW is here to stay for a long time. If you cannot see the benefits of it, then you are either not doing the most that you can outside of your work or you probably have 10 children that make it hard, I get it.. but that’s why it is so essential that you set boundaries and create a nice environment at home.
I think as a young professional, I like connecting with my colleagues physically but I also like the freedom I get to go to the gym, spend time with my loved one and have less meetings or disruptions to do a task. As well, I am so for the waking up at 7:59 to start work at 8 am. Best. Ever.
