By Yaron Rosenblum, Co- Founder of Canvas Offices
Multinational British communications company, WPP, has recently joined the trending mandate, requiring its global workforce to return to the office four days a week. This has sparked considerable debate over whether flexible working or full-time office directives are the right choice. While the intention may be to grow a collaborative workforce and maintain company culture, such a rigid approach overlooks the substantial benefits that flexible working arrangements offer to both businesses and employees.
Why return to the office?
Benefits of being in the office more include networking and working closely and collaboratively with members of your team, which is arguably more difficult from home. The office environment facilitates spontaneous conversations, idea-sharing, and quicker decision-making, with research by marketing software developer HubSpot, highlighting that remote meetings generate on average 10 ideas, while in-person meetings generate an average of 13.
Working in the office can additionally provide greater access to senior leaders and executives, allowing employees to network and build relationships that could boost their career growth and progression. It’s all about achieving the right balance for each individual and business, with leaders encouraged to carefully weigh up the pros and cons.
The case for working from home
On the other side of the coin, depending on your company or type of work (e.g., you are able to work remotely), flexible working should be more than just a ‘perk of the job.’ It can be a critical factor in employee well-being. A study by social enterprise company, Timewise, highlights that flexible working offers opportunities for increased flexibility for individuals, resulting in organisational benefits. The study found evidence of reduced sickness absence, increased organisational loyalty, and improved performance. Employees who can adjust their schedules to meet personal needs report higher job satisfaction and productivity, which directly benefits the company as well.
In today’s competitive job market, offering flexible working arrangements is a significant advantage. Flexible working is the ultimate recruitment tool for talent attraction, ranking higher than salary as a key benefit in some surveys. CIPD found that when thinking about a new role, 71% of people surveyed say being able to have a flexible working pattern is important to them, with 69% saying the ability to work remotely is important. By promoting flexible working, companies position themselves ahead of a majority of the competition, making them more attractive to potential employees. This not only helps businesses retain talent but also attracts individuals who may not have considered the role otherwise.
The business benefits of remaining flexible:
Beyond individual and organisational advantages, flexible working contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing commuting, which in turn decreases carbon emissions. Additionally, it can lead to cost savings for businesses through reduced need for office space and related expenses. These environmental and financial benefits make flexible working an increasingly appealing option for both employees and employers.
Striking the Balance
Whilst there are undeniable pros to working from the office, it’s important to consider all things in balance. For instance, the more time you spend in an office space, surrounded by likeminded others, particularly in the case of shared office environments, the more opportunities you have for networking and boosting your business. Working in an office likewise allows for clearer communication, reduced distractions, and a better separation between work and home life. It can also offer a more structured workday, which some employees may find beneficial for maintaining productivity and focus.
These clear benefits must be taken into serious consideration, with leaders encouraged to recognise that, whilst many prefer working from home for personal reasons, in-person collaboration on at least some days can spark creativity in ways that remote work sometimes cannot.
These reasons have ignited a debate on whether everyone should be entitled to flexible or hybrid working, or if they should be sent full-time to the office. While there are clear advantages to both models, the key lies in finding a balance that supports both the needs of the employees and the goals of the business. Each workplace is unique, so what do you think is the answer to building a loyal and productive workforce?
