Remote vs. Office vs. Hybrid: What Is the Best Work Arrangement?

When the pandemic first hit, Singapore companies adapted to working from home. Now that cases are easing, the workforce is relearning how to work from the office. But some companies are adapting both work environments into a single hybrid work arrangement that lets employees work from home and the office. 

There are many choices for how to work. But in terms of productivity, work culture, and the general performance of staff and managers, which is the most effective? It’s become a heated conversation among HR heads and executives, as correlations are being made between the rise of remote work and the Great Resignation. Many have also pointed out the relationship between productivity and WFH setups. It’s a complicated dilemma that we see workers discussing for months or even years to come. 

There are pros and cons to each work arrangement, and we’ve broken them all down for you. Use this guide to figure out which work setup will bring out the best in your employees. 

When lockdowns first began, Singapore’s workforce quickly adapted to the work-from-home mandate. It was a little rough at first, but employees soon realised the benefits of remote work. You can save time and money without commuting and eating outside for lunch. You can minimise the time it takes to prepare to go into the office and spend it relaxing or doing chores around the house. You can spend more time with family and strengthen bonds at home. You can work in a comfortable environment where you don’t have to be conscious about your work attire. And once you log off from work, you can head straight into your fitness routine or recreational hobby without any interval. 

These are all factors that can lead to a happier and healthier worker. A pre-pandemic study already reported that working from home can increase happiness, while another study confirmed that happier employees increased productivity. So it should come as no surprise that Microsoft’s latest study reports that its staff recorded an increase in productivity when they were allowed to work from home.

Still, remote work setups are not flawless. They certainly have drawbacks, especially if the employee and employer aren’t conscious of boundaries. The line between work and home is blurred when you work from home. One moment, you can be finishing an important meeting. Next, you’re changing a diaper or doing the laundry. Slowly, the line gets so blurred that colleagues and managers will message you after you’ve timed out or even before you’ve timed in—and then it feels like you’re working 24/7 and work occupies your home. The lack of direct communication with the rest of your team can also make you feel disengaged from your company, lowering loyalty and commitment. 

If you do not set boundaries or make genuine work connections, remote work can be exhausting, leading to resignations and a high turnover rate. 

Returning to the office can prove to be a productive alternative for those who are burned out from working from home. An office helps promote optimum productivity, even if it can feel monotonous in time. Leaving your house to go to the office sets a firm boundary that employers and employees are less likely to overstep. You might get a productivity boost in the office if you find yourself feeling lazy working from home.

Being surrounded by colleagues and friends can also bring back that much-needed dose of socialisation that we’ve been missing during the lockdown. While you might be distanced socially, at least you can openly talk and interact with colleagues. Work questions can quickly be answered by popping into someone’s cubicle, and there will be fewer pesky work messages and emails if everyone is in the same place. Returning to the office also makes it easier for managers to monitor everyone’s progress, and you might feel energised to meet deadlines and keep up with coworkers when they’re sitting right next to you. 

However, you might also find the mandate to return to the office outdated. Nowadays, most companies don’t need to work in an office—most can operate efficiently with their workforce scattered and working from home. You might view it as a waste of time commuting, when you can get things done in the time otherwise spent travelling. That’s not even considering the dangers of returning to the office while COVID-19 is still going on. While the population has learned to adapt to the situation, that doesn’t mean returning to the office full-time is the safest option for workers, even if it might improve productivity. As it stands, it’s not logical to require everyone to return to the office when many have adapted to remote work and the pandemic is still ongoing. 

There’s also the issue of remote work attachment. According to Bloomberg, workers globally have expressed their intentions to quit rather than give up working from home. A flexible working arrangement indicates that employers are considerate to an employee’s situation, whether that’s juggling home life or being medically vulnerable to infection. Forcing employees to return to the office sends the wrong image to the team.

Companies have found a solution to the debate between remote work and office work—hybrid work arrangements. A hybrid setup will allow workers to work from home on certain days, with the remaining days to be spent in the office. This system enables employees to have the best of both worlds. When they need a break from the office and the commute, they can work from home.

When they need a break from responsibilities at home, they can work in the office. The setup can vary from company to company, but here’s an example of what it can look like: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays working from home and Tuesdays and Thursdays in the office. The setup also ensures that the office is never at full capacity, which benefits everyone’s health and safety. 

A hybrid work arrangement can also address the cons of remote work and office work. It can reinstall the boundaries between work life and home life, reinforce work relationships and connections, strengthen company loyalty and culture, and improve everyone’s mental health. In short, a hybrid work arrangement can suit your own pace and needs. 

While it seems ideal in theory, it might not reach expectations in reality. Changing work environments every day or every other day can be a hassle for some, while the alternating structure might not suit those who prefer remote work full time or office work full time. 

While hybrid setups might leverage all of the advantages of both remote work and office work, they could also lead to the disadvantages of both schemes. Workers might still feel overworked on the days they work from home, and they might still feel tired and unsafe on the days they go to the office. Work relationships might still feel distant. Employers might still find it harder to know who to promote if some still work from home. 

Hybrid setups can be precarious if managers and HR teams are unskilled and unenthusiastic at managing them. 

Overall, it’s a complicated dilemma where no shoe size fits all. It’s up to you as an employer to figure out for yourself which environment suits your employees’ needs and will bring out their optimum work performance. Take a consensus and analyse which environment is best for employee performance and health. A full-time WFH setup might suit one company culture, while a hybrid setup might be best for another company. The good news is at least now there are options that the workforce can use to their full advantage. 

For more insightful career advice, visit JobStreet’s Career Resources page. On the hunt for a remote, office, or hybrid job? Visit JobStreet now to start your job search. 

Check out our Employers Insights page and read other expert suggestions for all your employee concerns.