9 benefits of working in-office vs. at home

Since 2020, many of us have discovered the advantages of working from home, sometimes forgetting that coming on-site has some perks, too. We have also realized that a mix of remote and on-site days is better than a 100% WFO (Work From the Office) or WFH (Work From Home) schedule. So, what are the tangible benefits of working in-office vs. home?

In the following article, you’ll discover nine pros of working on-site rather than from home. You can use those arguments to motivate your workforce to work in the office. Most importantly, they will have you continue improving your environment to make the office always more inviting.

As in-person interactions are crucial for corporate culture, team bonding, and workplace connection, focusing on making the office more attractive than home or a third workplace is essential. So, the more you try to create a positive and people-centric physical work environment, the more the advantages of coming to the workplace multiply. Here are nine benefits of WFO vs. WFH.  This list is just a starting point that you can expand on with employee feedback and improve your office experience accordingly. 

1. Working from the office provides a more structured work environment than working from home

Working in an office can be advantageous for employees due to the inherent structure it provides. This environment promotes regular work hours and a consistent routine, which can enhance time management and reduce procrastination.

Furthermore, the office setting naturally encourages face-to-face collaboration, allowing employees to engage in real-time communication and immediate feedback loops. These interactions can lead to more effective problem-solving and innovation.

Additionally, the collective presence of colleagues can create a motivational atmosphere, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose that can boost individual and team performance.

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2. Employees can get a better work environment when coming to the office

Have you focused on creating a space that meets the diverse needs of your workforce, meaning adopting an agile approach, tailoring the physical layout, optimizing furniture, and investing in technology to promote comfort, well-being, and productivity? Then your office has a higher chance of providing a more suitable work environment than the one your employees have at home. 

If a company dedicates efforts to creating an ergonomic and employee-centric space, an office can outshine a home workspace in suitability and effectiveness. By investing in adjustable desks, supportive seating, and a layout that accommodates various work styles, you ensure that your team members have an optimal setting to thrive professionally. The office then becomes a hub that beats the capabilities of a standard home office.

3. WFO helps separate work and personal lives

Going to the office each day creates a clear line between professional and personal activities. The commuting journey serves as a transitional ritual, allowing the brain to shift gears, recognizing when it’s time to concentrate on work or wind down and relax. This physical journey builds a psychological barrier that can be absent in a home office setting. 

At home, domestic distractions such as emptying the dishwasher or answering the doorbell can disturb the workspace. This makes maintaining a focused work mindset or fully disengaging after hours challenging. However, the office environment helps reinforce boundaries that safeguard work-life balance.

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4. Working in-office boosts collaboration

Working from the office significantly enhances collaboration and the execution of team projects. The proximity of colleagues within a shared space allows for immediate communication and the seamless exchange of ideas, which is vital for a dynamic, collaborative atmosphere. Face-to-face interactions eliminate the delays and misunderstandings that can arise from digital correspondence, enabling quicker consensus and decision-making. 

The presence of shared physical resources and technology further supports joint efforts. In-person meetings can lead to spontaneous brainstorming and problem-solving, creating an environment where teamwork thrives, and projects can progress with increased efficiency and creativity.

5. In-person interactions foster team bonding and socialization

Working from the office not only facilitates professional collaboration but also significantly nurtures team bonding and social interactions. The informal conversations that occur in shared spaces, like break rooms or communal areas, are instrumental in building relationships and a sense of camaraderie among colleagues.

These natural social exchanges lead to better teamwork as mutual understanding and trust are cultivated. Company or team events, shared lunches, and spontaneous gatherings are unique to the office environment, all of which contribute to a more connected and cohesive group dynamic. These aspects are crucial to enriching your workplace culture and overall employee satisfaction.

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6. Working in-office can also benefit productivity

According to a McKinsey study, 77% of workers say they are more productive at home. While there are a number of explanations for this, it is not always true. If this statement is true for your employees, it is your role to evaluate your office space and what it might be missing. WFO can be better for productivity if you create an office that makes your team members thrive by fulfilling their needs and expectations.

Coming on-site to work can truly boost productivity. In addition to helping with time management, it also provides your staff with a focused environment, where structured schedules and the collective energy of colleagues inspire a concentrated work ethic. So, if productivity is the reason why your team members prefer WFH, it is time to get their feedback and make some changes in your physical workplace.

7. Office working reinforces organizational culture

Maintaining a positive and strong corporate culture is one of the biggest challenges for businesses that allow remote work. This is one of the main reasons why hybrid and flexible work is the best solution for a modern, employee-centric workplace.

Working from the office plays a pivotal role in upholding and strengthening corporate culture. The shared workspace allows employees to experience and contribute to the company’s ethos in a tangible way. Daily interactions, visual reminders, and participation in office events create a sense of belonging and reinforce your organization’s values.

These experiences help forge a unified identity. When employees regularly feel and engage with the culture, it ensures that this key element thrives and evolves with the team.

8. Working in-office boosts your employees’ sense of belonging

Coming to work on-site plays a key role in fostering a feeling of belonging in the workplace, which is essential for cultivating a happy, engaged, and loyal workforce. Importantly, the office environment mitigates the risks of isolation that can occur with full-time remote work. 

The shared experiences and personal interactions that occur naturally within the office environment build relationships and a sense of workplace connection. Employees who feel they are part of a community are more likely to be invested in their work and the success of the company. 

This social aspect of office life contributes to a positive corporate culture, where workers feel valued and integral to the organization. This results in increased job satisfaction and commitment.

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9. Working on-site provides direct access to resources and support

The final benefit of working in an office as opposed to at home is the direct and immediate access to a range of resources and support. In an office, employees can swiftly get IT help to use specific tools, gain hands-on access to advanced technologies, and use equipment not available in a home setting. 

Moreover, the ease of turning to a colleague for quick clarification eliminates the lag that comes with waiting for an answer on Slack. As you can imagine, this simplicity in accessing help and resources can significantly enhance efficiency, reduce frustration, and accelerate the completion of tasks.

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Depending on your office setup and industry, this list of benefits of working in-office vs. at home might be even longer. Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to work environments. Some people can truly thrive more WFH than when WFO, but the other way around can also be true. The key to a modern, employee-centric, and successful workplace is flexibility. However, it is crucial to understand what your team members expect to have in the office and what they are missing if your goal is to see them on-site more often. What makes their home more attractive than the physical workplace so far? How can you change that? 

‍deskbird supports you in making your hybrid workplace more enjoyable and people-focused. Request a free demo of the deskbird app to discover how our tool helps employees get the workspace they need to thrive in the office as much as when working from home and boost the on-site experience.