Is it already the end of the remote work era? The end of a surge that began during the health crisis. Until now, the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated the rise of remote work. However, is this trend losing its momentum?
The rhythm of remote work shared between the office and home was established, yet some companies are tightening ranks, opting for the return of their employees on-site. However, is this transition to Return to Office, or RTO, appreciated by everyone?
This article explores the dynamic of remote work in reverse.
Well-being in remote work
This trend is generating less and less enthusiasm among workers, showing a certain form of fatigue in the face of daily tasks.
This growing fatigue could be attributed to a lack of social interaction, thereby affecting the quality of work life for many employees.
The survey conducted by QAPA, a digital solution by Adecco, questions the French about their morale at work. Its results highlight a tangible link between remote work and boredom.
Indeed, 79% of French workers admit to feeling bored when they work remotely. Can this be translated into a lack of motivation? A possible disinterest in their profession? Is the lack of social interaction to blame?
A scheduled return to the office
A study conducted jointly by MIT and Stanford highlights the productivity of employees who work remotely. This productivity would decrease by an average of 18% for newly hired full-time remote employees.
This finding explains the challenges employers face in maintaining a balance between workload and the flexible hours offered by remote work.
On the other hand, the study named "2023 CEO Outlook," surveying over 1300 CEOs, reveals that about two-thirds of them expressed a desire for a full return to in-person work within the next three years.
However, this return can be complex for some, causing stress and anxiety.
Flex office and well-being at work
The flex office, designed to offer various work modes and promote work performance, is increasingly favored by companies. This approach offers greater flexibility to employees, including freelancers, thus meeting employees' expectations regarding their work environment choice. However, its success lies in creating an environment conducive to fulfillment, ensuring a healthy disconnect after work hours.
The flex office offers a variety of spaces and workstations open to all employees, from open space, through a coworking place, a meeting room, or even at home.
Finding a balance between remote work and in-person work is crucial to meet employees' expectations while maximizing work performance. Companies must consider individual needs to avoid hardship and promote disconnection. This may mean more attentive management of flexible working hours and adapting work modes to ensure employees' health and well-being.
A limitation of remote work
The solution to combat this drop in productivity or the boredom experienced by employees might be to limit the number of remote working days per week rather than completely eliminating remote work.
According to the first study by the Telework Observatory launched by Ugict-CGT, 35% of them believe they work more remotely than in-person, blurring the line between professional and personal life.
Not everyone has the same space to separate these two spheres, thus reinforcing inequalities.
Towards a hybrid work model for better quality of work life
As "full remote work" is far from unanimous, its flexibility is, on the contrary, widely favored by all employees. A solution emerges: the hybrid work model. This combination of traditional work between office presence and off-site remote work is an alternative, allowing the best of both worlds.
This approach not only preserves productivity but also promotes a more flexible work environment, thereby reducing absenteeism and creating jobs better suited to individual needs.
A study conducted among 25 OECD member countries highlights the benefits of remote work, in terms of productivity, as long as it does not exceed two days per week.
However, it is important to remain attentive to employees seeking increased flexibility, ready to look for a new job meeting their expectations.
The possibility of a flexible schedule is welcomed by many employees; however, it can sometimes reinforce presenteeism, even remotely. This phenomenon, although less visible, can increase hardship and lead to an increased risk of burnout, thus affecting workplace health.
To conclude
The article highlights the impact of remote work on employees while emphasizing perception differences. For most, this method seems more effective than office presence, with its noise nuisances, open space environment, meetings, and extended breaks.
The hybrid method emerges as an optimal option, offering the best of both worlds: flexibility and human interaction.
Remote work is not experiencing a sudden end, but it is evolving towards a more balanced model, offering employees the necessary freedom and structure to excel in their work.
For further reading
To delve deeper into this reflection, consult the following resources:
- Article - HR Culture:End of remote work, back to the office
- Article - Le Monde:"Remote Work: Towards the End of the Open Bar"
- Article - Nicoka:Remote Work in France: What Changes are Observed in Companies?
- Work Observatory:Survey on Hybrid Work in 2023
