In our preceding article, we examined the hybrid model of work, which combines some days ‘working from anywhere’ and some days working at the organisation’s worksite.
We will now discuss the benefits and the challenges of ‘work from anywhere’, including on a hybrid work mode1.
For employees, the ‘work from anywhere’ and hybrid benefits include:
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- Greater choice and flexibility in location1 and scheduling2
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- Maintaining a healthier work-life balance3
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- Helping to juggle childcare and other responsibilities5
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- Better physical and mental health1
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- Improved engagement and happiness4
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- Reduction in personal expenses (transport, food, coffee, retail, office clothing).6
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A recent Riverbed / Aternity global survey found that most organisations surveyed “are now very comfortable with employees working remotely and believe there are many benefits to adopting a hybrid work model.”7
For organisations, some of the ‘work from anywhere’ and hybrid benefits are:
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- An enhanced Employee Value Proposition, including attraction, retention, diversity and morale8
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- The ability to source the best talent from anywhere7
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- Reduced expenses associated with new employee relocation and office setup7
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- Business continuity during weather and pandemic events8
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- Improved workplace culture9
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- Beneficial investment in new remote work technology and hybrid collaboration tools10
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- Reduced office space requirements and less cost8
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- Opportunity to get creative with workspaces to enhance employee relationships and organisational culture11
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- Better digital experience for employees and customers.7
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A “resounding 84% of” Riverbed / Aternity “survey respondents believe hybrid will have a lasting and positive impact on society and the world.”7
For communities, the environment, and overall sustainability the ‘work from anywhere’ and hybrid benefits include:
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- Lowered carbon emissions by reduced commuting, business travel, paperwork, consumables, and office energy use8\
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- Less need to build new office buildings due to reduced workplace space requirements8
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- Less pressure on healthcare services1 due to happier, healthier employees and families
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- Bringing people previously unable to work back into the workforce1
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- Less demand for private vehicles and public transport
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- Reduced traffic load on road networks
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- Strengthened local communities with more people around during working hours, more demand for local services, and better neighbourhood security.
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Given all these benefits, there is no doubt that ‘working from anywhere’ and hybrid work are here to stay, providing the opportunity for organisations “to build new workplace norms that not only lead to greater fulfilment for employees but also better business outcomes.”3
However, these work arrangements also have downsides that need to be understood and overcome where possible.
For employees the ‘working from anywhere’ and hybrid challenges include:
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- No distinct separation or break between home and work; not being able to ‘unplug’12
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- Difficulty with collaboration and communication with colleagues12
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- Loneliness12 and isolation, especially for introverts14
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- Being in a different time zone from teammates12
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- Picking up subtle clues about own work performance is more difficult15
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- Harder to develop relationships with leaders and colleagues16
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- Potential negative impact on career advancement17
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- Distractions at home12, including from spouse, children, pets, and others in the workspace17
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- Being out of the day-to-day flow of information and activity17
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- Least experienced workers need the office the most18
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- Increased hot-desking when in the office leads to less feeling of belonging
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- Video-chat exhaustion (‘Zoom fatigue’).19
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For organisations, some of the challenges from ‘work from anywhere’ and hybrid work are:
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- IT security-related challenges from multiple mobile devices in multiple locations20
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- Weaker employee loyalty21
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- Presenteeism16 (some employees feeling the need to show up at work)
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- Favouritism shown to office-based employees due to proximity bias22
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- Heightened competition between at-home and at-work employees16
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- Harder to recognise when an employee is struggling with a task and needs support23
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- Reduced creative opportunities for employees23
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- Resentment among employees who cannot do their jobs from home24
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- Management resistance to change17
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- Maintaining or improving teamwork and culture.
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Finally, for communities, the environment, and overall sustainability the challenges arising from ‘work from anywhere’ and hybrid work include:
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- Less demand for public transport24 will reduce revenue, with likely effects on city/state budgets and employment
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- Less people in cities and lower demand for city food, hospitality, and other retail services24 will reduce city vibrancy
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- Income reductions for city traders and landlords25 may increase business failures
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- Reduced state and local tax revenues.26
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In summary, we have outlined many benefits, and numerous challenges that flow from employees ‘working from anywhere’ or on a hybrid work model.
However, it is worth noting that “we’ve all been living through the greatest workplace disruption in generations and the pace will not slow down.”27 The challenges outlined in this paper “are all wrinkles that companies can and should iron out…since remote work is here to stay.”28
Our next paper will consider the benefits of introducing short-term, temporary options for your employees to ‘work from anywhere’.
Norton Rose Fulbright assists organisations to efficiently and effectively address the legal aspects of the new global work environment, including working from anywhere. Please reach out if we can assist your organisation in this respect.