As I have been meeting with clients over that past few months, one topic that has been brought up consistently is returning to working in the office and what does that look like. Companies have a lot to think about now that COVID-19 has become an endemic. With the widespread adoption of remote work, companies are being forced to rethink their strategies.
The Pros of Returning to the Office
- Collaboration: Returning to the office can provide IT teams a space for spontaneous discussions, knowledge transfer and quick problem solving. In-person interactions often lead to creative and efficient solutions to technical problems.
- Data Security: Companies have made substantial investments in security policies and infrastructure in the office. Returning to the office ensures that data and systems remain within the controlled and secure environment of the company network, reducing the risk of data breaches.
- Network Performance: Remote work can sometimes lead to bandwidth and connectivity issues. Returning to the office guarantees access to high-speed, reliable internet connections, ensuring that teams can work without having to worry about network limitations.
- Culture: Nothing can replace in the benefit of being in person to form long lasting personal and professional relations amongst team members.
The Cons of Returning to the Office
- Commute and Flexibility: IT workers may find the daily commute time-consuming and disruptive to their workflow. Remote work provides the flexibility to manage work schedules while maintaining a work-life balance. This can be challenging to replicate in and office setting.
- Health Concerns: There continues to be ongoing health and safety concerns. This can be extra sensitive for IT professionals working in close quarters such as data centers or server rooms. Companies must invest in robust safety measures to make the IT professional feel safe.
- Remote Work Productivity: IT professionals have reported higher productivity when working remotely due to fewer distractions.
- The Home Office: The home office has evolved greatly in the past few years. Many IT professionals have heavily invested in agronomical office equipment and hardware including monitors and cameras.
I’ve heard everything from 100% remote, 2-3 days a week in the office to 100% in the office. If companies require any time on the office, they need to consider the delicate balance between the advantages of in-person collaboration and the benefits of remote work. By adopting hybrid work models, addressing health and safety concerns and maintaining a strong IT infrastructure, tech companies can make the transition as smooth as possible.
 | Jason Umerski, Sr. Account Executive Jason has been in the IT industry for 28 years and has a proven and successful track record of technology services sales. After spending the early part of his technology career as a developer, Jason was presented an opportunity to move into a sales role, and he has never looked back. |