Is WFH a Permanent Option? What Employees think?

1. Is WFH a Permanent Option? What Employees think? With the spread of Covid-19 worldwide in early 2020, almost all offices were closed. All employers get their employees’ work from home (WFH) started with it right away. Organizations were left with no option than to figure out ways to communicate, manage the workforce virtually, share information, and team up remotely to keep business operations alive and running. Though some companies had provided remote work options to few of their employees before the pandemic. But it was not until present times that employers began to look at the benefits that WFH has to offer to employees as well as the employer. And this is when many big corporate houses appeared to be announcing that WFH is going to be a permanent feature of their company’s work culture. The pandemic setting in technology and culture-related barriers that restricted remote working in past decades was found to be removed causing a structural shift in employer mindset as to how and where work can be done, if not for all, at least for parts of their workforce. Now when it’s past one year the world is adapting to live with the virus many employees are faced with the question – Will I be called to the Office as I dis before the pandemic or I can Work from Home? Interestingly, during the pandemic, both the benefits and limitations of WFH are clearly known to employees and employers. And, with the vaccines rolled out it is worth considering to ask – Is WFH going to stay? If yes, to what extent it will?

2. Many experts and employee surveys reveal that a Hybrid model will be the trend of work in the post- pandemic era. The extent may vary with sector and type of industry of course. High-skilled Employees whose work can be completely conducted via computers may be given an option to continue WFH. However, this will need the right policies, training, equipment & infrastructure, and virtual workplace culture adaptation. On the other hand, a part of the workforce may be given a hybrid option, like two to three days of remote work in a week. The WFH extent will be opened largely on factors like job nature, industry, and company policies. While some employees wish to continue working from home permanently, there are some executives who feel that productivity is hampered with WFH. However, there is not much doubt that organizations having tough policies and office rules might face resistance from existing employees and, difficult time attracting new ones. Post pandemic, one of the features that have emerged strongly as a decisive factor for employee satisfaction is ‘Flexibility’ Employers who will offer the hybrid model i.e. a mix of WFH and in office will prove to be successfully carrying out their business activities at the same time, giving the employees the flexibility they look forward to. And, workplaces, where this flexibility is found missing, might experience conflict between employees and employers. However, if your employer is asking you to get back to your office but you want to continue WFH, these are the best times to find remote jobs than ever. Source: https://blog.jobsearchine.com/is-wfh-a-permanent-option-what-employees-think/