Remote work or office is one of the important issues of today, which concerns both employers and employees. After the cancellation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the question of the need to return to office work immediately became relevant. At least one million remote workers worldwide have been ordered to return to work in offices. Managers in the world's largest companies, such as Google, Disney, Zoom, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Starbucks, and others, seek to see their subordinates daily, or at least several times a week. Companies are going to return about 70% of specialists, albeit to a hybrid type of cooperation, leaving about 30% of remote work positions, for which the appropriate format will not be harmful.
On the territory of Ukraine, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, due to the partial, temporary, or complete relocation of enterprises, the format of remote cooperation actually became the only possible solution for many. Nevertheless, since the beginning of autumn 2022, approximately 5 million Ukrainians who left at the beginning of the great war have returned to the territory of our state. As of August 2023, another 230,000 people have returned. At the same time, according to a study conducted by CBRE Ukraine, positive dynamics of office activity were already observed in the first half of 2023.
Remote work or office: what is remote work
The concept of remote or remote work is not related to "freelance", part-time work or project employment as a third-party specialist. We are talking about a full-time position in the company's staff on full-time terms. The difference between office and remote work is that the employee arranges the workplace on his own, turning his own home into an office, creating the most favorable conditions for performing tasks remotely. The format is suitable for specialists whose main working environment is software applications of various kinds.
The development of modern technologies has led to a significant expansion of the list of professions that can be implemented in a remote format, including even specialties of the production sector. At the same time, specialists in marketing, and especially in the information technology sector, have been actively working in this format for a long time. The worldwide network remotely connects various centers of analytical nature, decision-making and their further implementation.
The main difference between office and remote work is the amount of time an employee is willing to devote directly to working in a team while being physically close to management and colleagues. Three main formats are outlined:
- completely remote - from home, various co-working spaces, cafes, or even from other cities or countries;
- standard office work — full-time work in the company's office, offline communication and participation in various events;
- hybrid type system - the employee is in the company's office only one or several days a week.
In Ukraine, during 2022, almost 80% of representatives of various business structures wanted to see their employees only in the office, but at the same time, 70% of potential candidates for certain positions wanted to hear objective and valid reasons for refusing to work in a remote format . But as of 2023, the situation has changed, and both sides are mostly ready for compromises.
Often there is also a difference in the payment of remote employees. Remote work can be paid 10-15% lower due to the absence of travel costs and a lower level of operational workload.
Remote work or office: pros and cons, employees' opinion
Both entrepreneurs and representatives often outline the problems arising from the remote format of work. Company leaders understand that they are losing the social capital and relevant connections that can ensure the company's success in the market. At the same time, workers also saw that relationships outside of specific work groups weakened significantly.
Approximately 40% who chose remote began to feel disconnected from the team game, limited in contacts with HR personnel and team leaders. In fact, they do not see themselves involved in the company's projects and successes.
According to employees, there are several factors that can become reasons for returning to the office:
- reestablishing contact with the team, communication with colleagues, the opportunity to improve interaction with management at various levels;
- the opportunity to receive effective help from professionals or consultations from experienced specialists;
- participation in trainings, mentoring programs, and other activities that positively affect professional development;
- the opportunity to find more ways for career growth;
- the availability of various means that create more comfortable conditions for the performance of official duties.
There are also advantages of remote work, such as the absence of a dress code and the need to travel to the office, flexible and convenient time management. Also, remote work gives an opportunity to join companies located in other cities or countries, gives more freedom to solve household or personal problems.
Research conducted by specialized companies indicates several problems faced by remote employees in Ukraine during 2023.
The most important problem during the popularity of the remote work format was the creation of a working environment. It turned out to be extremely difficult to create comfortable and, according to today's demands, safe conditions for remote employees. In the office, the employee has access to appropriate technical means, an equipped workplace, constant communication and electricity supply, access to shelter during an emergency and the help of qualified psychologists. In an office environment, an employee does not feel alone with problems.
The issue of efficiency in solving work tasks has become no less important. Discussions in video communication services last longer, and creative ideas do not arise as often as during meetings in the office. Such difficulties are due to the regulations of communication in a remote format - everyone must listen to the speaker until the end, and comments can be perceived as impolite behavior. In office conditions, more creative and quite effective solutions are born.
Specialists in remote positions become less visible to management, as well as their participation in general affairs. Such factors can significantly slow down an employee's growth and career progression. At the same time, an office worker can get more opportunities, even with worse skills. In addition, in some cases, access to corporate secrets is required, while a remote employee in such positions is less desirable.
The psychological aspect, which directly affects the general condition and work capacity of the employee, remains important. Interaction with the team has a positive effect on the psychological state of specialists, creates conditions for gaining experience in business communications.
Remote work or office: return to offices in Ukraine
According to specialized specialists, work in office conditions is gradually returning to popularity. Despite global trends, the Return to office initiative is not developing so rapidly in our country, which is due to the difficult conditions of today, military operations in Ukraine, the migration of specialists, the need for relocation of businesses, and difficult-to-predict circumstances. However, specialists are gradually returning to office work.
At the same time, right now, increasing office performance could be a guarantee of stability, a foundation for sustainable development, and a new window of opportunity.
An important factor remains the quality of the premises and the availability of infrastructure that meets today's demands, including security. Already today, employees need more offline communication and involvement in the work of companies. However, the greatest demand for work in offices is predicted during the period of post-war reconstruction, which is due to the return of relocated companies to the market, the need to form new enterprises and the arrival of investments. The growth of office space is predicted due to the implementation of new projects with a unique infrastructure. Already today, Ukrainian developers are launching new office centers using modern solutions.