Working from home vs office working: the debate

At Social Directions Agency (SDA), we have experienced a great deal of growth since our inception in 2020. We began as a fully remote team, and now we are hybrid, with most of the team still working remotely and two members coming into our office in Sandyford. 

It’s been interesting adjusting to working in an office environment vs working from home. Moreover, it is quite the debate, and lots of people are strongly pro working remotely or against it. Using our experience of being on both sides, we’re discussing the benefits of both below to determine which is really better.

The benefits of remote working on your health and wellness

Hear why the SDA team loves working remotely!

Remote work has a great deal to offer in supporting mental health. One study found that 45 per cent of people feel working from their home is a better choice for their mental and physical health and well-being. One benefit of remote working that may be allowing this portion of people to experience improved mental health comes down to having a less stressful routine.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, when remote working was a rare occurrence, a lot of employees had to spend hours commuting to their jobs. They had to rely on public transport to arrive on time and deal with wasting time sitting in traffic. Essentially, many workers had this ‘rushed’ routine where they worry about getting to work on time. Remote or flexible working has removed the commute from the equation. 

This has allowed people to have a more relaxed routine in the mornings before they start their work for the day. Whilst it may not seem to be a big difference, all these small things add up, and they can be a great game changer when it comes to tackling stress. Workers also traditionally feel more comfortable in their homes, and we work best in an environment where we feel relaxed and at ease. 

When working from home, people can personalise their workspace to suit them, and they do not have to lug equipment around or prepare pre-cooked lunches. Additionally, they can dress more casually and spend more time with their family and pets. This results in them feeling more grounded, and they are more likely to focus and get their work done. 

Another big benefit for employee well-being is they have more time to exercise and look after their mental and physical health. Your team members can replace their hour-long commute in the morning with a brisk walk or the drive home in the evening with a fitness class in their community. The more relaxed and less ‘rushed’ routine means employees are also more likely to eat healthier, which improves mood and boosts energy. 

A final benefit is especially true for those who establish a personalised workspace in their homes. Those workers can achieve quality work-life balance as they will no longer be neglecting other aspects of their life. These aspects are also important for maintaining good mental health. Some of these aspects could be spending time with family and friends and also pursuing hobbies and interests. 

Is working in an office good for your mental and physical health too?

We’ve discussed some of the benefits of remote working on workers’ health, but that is not to say there is anything wrong with working in an office. The reality is that it suits some people better. Those who are particularly extroverted may struggle significantly with remote working as they miss connecting and bonding with their colleagues. 

Many people who work remotely spend most of their day by themselves, which some can find quite lonely. In addition, they are replacing the usual chats with their colleagues with additional screen time, whether that means watching videos on their phones or scrolling through social media. Many would argue we already spend too much time on our phones. It’s clear for some they are losing out on the human connection by working from home.

Additionally, not everyone has a perfect space in their home suitable for remote working. Some workers may have young children or animals and struggle to discover a quiet spot. Alternatively, they may not have a desk to work at and have to complete work tasks on their bed or a sofa which is also not great when it comes to work-life balance and mental wellness. 

One big benefit of working in an office with a team is getting this feeling or sense of belonging. When socialising is limited, and team members are away from one another, they can feel as though they are pushing the boat all by themselves. By contrast, when they are in an office, they are interacting and communicating with one another, supporting each other, and it feels as though they are all working together.

For some people, office working may lead to a greater work-life balance than remote working because when you are finished for the day, you can leave. Once you arrived home, you are home, and you cannot continue working. For those working remotely, they can continue to work and complete tasks if they wish because they have all the equipment and work-related documents available to them. While working in an office has its downsides, like commuting time and less time spent with family and friends, there is still a defined time when everyone is encouraged to go home and rest.

Summary - striking the right balance

Working from home vs office working is a tough debate, as you can tell because there are pros and cons associated with both formats of working. We believe in finding the right balance and working where suits you best. If you thrive in a cubicle where you can connect with your colleagues, that’s great. 

By contrast, if you are comfortable at home and find you are more productive in this relaxed space, that’s the right choice for you. Naturally, it is up to your employer where you work and with this in mind, business leaders should consider that remote and flexible working may suit some people better and enhance their health.