The 2024 Dilemma: work from home or return to the office?

Working from home or office: the future of tech work

12 min readJun 28, 2024

Did you know that a study by Stanford University found that remote workers are 13% more productive than their office counterparts¹? 📈 As we move into 2024, the debate over remote work versus returning to the office is more relevant than ever. Despite the proven benefits of remote work, some companies are now calling their employees back to the office, raising concerns about a potential regression.

In recent years, remote work has transformed the workplace, especially during the pandemic. It has proven to increase productivity and improve the balance between professional and private life. However, some companies are now calling their employees back to the office, which has raised concerns about a potential regression.

The advantages of smart working

As a software engineer and IT consultant, I have had the opportunity to experience firsthand the numerous advantages of remote work. The flexibility in managing my time, the ability to work in a familiar environment, and the reduction of stress related to commuting are just a few of the benefits I have encountered. A concrete example occurred during the development of a long-term and complex project that required frequent meetings with both the team and the client. Using online collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and essential applications for us software developers like Git for code versioning, we were able to maintain effective communication without the traditional constraints of time and place, ensuring success by meeting and exceeding the client’s requirements.

One of the mottos of a colleague of mine, whom I consider a true Guru 🤭, is:

“Maximize the amount of work not done.” [cit.]

I love this philosophy; it fits perfectly in the context of smart working (as well as being included in the Agile Manifesto), where efficiency and productivity should be paramount, and it is critical to understand the best choice for us. A study by Stanford University revealed that employees who work from home are often more productive (~13%) than those who work in the office¹. Surely the vast majority of IT professionals can affirm that what has benefited the most (positively, and perhaps outside the radar of various analyses and statistics since everyone does not recognize it) is personal happiness. The reduction of interruptions, the ability to create a personalized and tailor-made work environment, and above all, the elimination of commuting time contribute to this increase in productivity.

Let’s all say it out loud: “Employee happiness and satisfaction are FUNDAMENTAL!” 😊

Furthermore, remote work has allowed many people to have more time for family and personal activities, significantly improving the quality of life and allowing individuals to devote themselves to their hobbies and that elusive private life, this great enigma so inconceivable to our superiors.

How many of us have taken advantage of this historical moment to join a gym? 🏋️‍♂️ In 2024, the figure of the IT professional is also considered among many as that of a gym-goer: among the main goals today is getting in shape, even for a tech person.

Competitiveness in the market

Based on principles outlined in Robert C. Martin’s “Clean Agile”, adopting an agile mindset in a remote work environment can significantly enhance a company’s competitiveness. Agile principles, such as flexibility and continuous improvement, naturally align with the benefits of remote work. This mindset allows teams to quickly respond to changes, maintain high productivity, and continually adapt to new challenges and opportunities. By embracing these principles, companies can attract top talent globally, reduce operational costs, and foster a more innovative and diverse workforce.

Smart working also offers a significant competitive edge in the market. According to a report by Global Workplace Analytics, companies that allow remote work can see a 25% reduction in employee turnover and a 21% increase in profitability due to enhanced productivity and lower operational costs². Companies like Shopify³ have adopted permanent remote work policies, highlighting the shift towards a more flexible work environment. In contrast, companies like Google⁴ are adopting a hybrid model, combining the benefits of both remote and office work to maintain competitiveness. However, companies like Twitter⁵ and Amazon⁶ are pushing for a return to the office, emphasizing the need for in-person collaboration. Businesses that adapt to this modern way of working can stay ahead of their competitors who insist on traditional office-based work environments. In job interviews, it’s becoming increasingly common to hear something like “I had an interview with another company, and they’re offering more remote work than your offer”. Are we really sure that without smart working, our company can remain competitive in today’s market? We will discuss it later…

Return to the office: a step back?

Despite these benefits, some companies are now forcing employees back to the office. Forcing, yes, this is the direction being taken. This move can be seen as a step back in the modernity of work, where everything is moving in an avant-garde direction, and this aspect instead is moving backward. During the period of smart working, many companies have invested in technologies and infrastructures to support remote work and maintain high competitiveness at the same time. Returning to work exclusively on-site means not fully utilizing these investments and, in some cases, returning to less efficient (and stressful, remember?) work modes.

Adhering to the modular design principles outlined in “Clean Architecture”, remote teams can independently work on separate parts of a project. This reduces dependency bottlenecks commonly found in traditional office setups, allowing teams to develop, test, and deploy modules independently. This promotes effective remote collaboration, ultimately enhancing productivity, software quality, and maintainability. By embracing these principles, companies can maximize their investments in remote work technologies and infrastructures, leading to efficient and stress-free work environments.

A personal example of this retrograde movement occurred when a company closed to me decided to bring all employees back to the office at least four days a week. They imposed two non-cumulative smart days, to be decided monthly, ensuring a rotation among various employees for on-site presence. The discomfort and general disappointment were palpable. The transition was not just difficult; it was more! There’s a looming scenario where we will lose the flexibility we had learned to appreciate, but many of us also predict a productivity decline, quite justifiably. Personally, the investment I made in setting up a productive home office, including a new Ikea desk, seemed wasted. The daily and constant stress due to commuting, the time lost in traffic, and the amount of money spent to get to the office (perhaps it would also be appropriate to write a few lines on this topic: “The infinite loop of salaries: from the company to the company, for the company”) has had a negative impact on our work and our consideration of it. Furthermore, how to hide the team’s morale that has collapsed, with many colleagues feeling demotivated and dissatisfied with the decision, in addition to many others who have made their assessments and opted for a sudden change of life. Just to give an example, considering the commutes to reach the office in a crowded and overpopulated city like mine (~11 days per year would be saved!), considering the hours to be sustained to reconcile work commitments with those of private life, and considering the expenses to be faced again, the first direct consequence was that I had to abandon the gym.

Advice on dealing with an office mandate

If your company insists on a return to the office, here are a few strategies you might consider.

🗣️Open communication: Engage in open dialogue with your management. Express your concerns and the benefits you’ve experienced while working remotely.
📊Provide evidence: Present data and case studies that highlight the productivity gains and cost savings associated with remote work. Use examples from successful companies that have adopted remote or hybrid models: tangible examples are always the most effective.
🔄Suggest a trial period: Propose a trial period for a hybrid model. This can demonstrate the effectiveness of remote work while addressing the company’s concerns about in-office presence.
❤️Highlight employee well-being: Emphasize the importance of employee well-being and its direct impact on productivity and job satisfaction.
💡Offer Solutions: Suggest practical solutions to address any challenges the company foresees with remote work, such as regular virtual check-ins, team-building activities, and clear communication channels.

Impact on Society

Remote work has broader implications for society:

☕Local businesses: With fewer people commuting, local businesses such as cafes and restaurants may see a decline in foot traffic. However, this can be mitigated by new business models catering to remote workers.
🚗Reduced pollution: Less commuting (11 days, remeber it!) means fewer cars on the road, leading to lower emissions and less traffic congestion. This is a significant environmental benefit, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier planet. We have seen the benefits of this impact during the complete lockdown caused by the pandemic, which drastically reduced various pollution indices. A study by the International Energy Agency found that increased remote work during the pandemic led to a significant drop in global carbon dioxide emissions, with some estimates suggesting a reduction of up to 7% in 2020 alone⁷.
🏙️Urban Development: Cities might need to rethink their infrastructure and support systems as the demand for commercial real estate changes.

Pros and Cons of lifestyle

Companies not fully remote, State of Remote Report 2020

Pros of Smart Working:

Flexibility: Allows better management of time and personal commitments (these “spawn” in conjunction with smart working).
Stress Reduction: Eliminates commuting and frequent office interruptions/distractions (this does not mean there are no interpersonal relationships: technology has also been used for this).
Productivity: Greater ability to concentrate in a personalized environment (The Sims, step aside).
Quality of Life: More time for family and personal activities (!!!).

Cons of Smart Working:

Isolation: Possible sense of isolation from colleagues and fewer social interactions (common sense is needed, alternating work modes).
Self-Discipline: Requires greater self-discipline and time management (isn’t this precisely the dictionary definition of “common sense”?).
Home Space: Need to have adequate workspace at home (working outdoors or lying on the couch is strongly discouraged).

Pros of Office Work:

Collaboration: Facilitates direct collaboration and communication with colleagues.
Structure: Provides a more rigid structure and a clear separation between work and private life.
Access to Resources: Immediate access to company resources and equipment.

Cons of Office Work:

Commuting: Increased time and stress related to daily commuting (let’s also add the increase in expenses?).
Interruptions: More distractions and interruptions during the workday.
Rigidity: Less flexibility in managing time and personal commitments.

Personal Gains from Remote Work

From a totally personal perspective, remote work has brought several benefits:

Reduced Travel: Less commuting means more time for productive work or personal activities.
Cost Savings: Saving money on transportation, work clothes, and daily meals.
Better Sleep: More sleep due to eliminated commuting time, leading to better health and productivity.
Improved Quality of Life: More time to spend with family, engage in hobbies, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Appreciation of Human Connections: While virtual meetings are effective, nothing replaces the value of in-person interactions. Remote work has highlighted the importance of friendships and human connections for me.

A retrograde movement in 2024

In 2024, an era characterized by continuous movement and technological development, it is unacceptable to take steps back by returning to the rigid work modes of the past. We cannot afford to go backward; the future has already been here, and we are slowly setting it aside. Smart working has proven to be not only feasible but often superior in terms of productivity and employee satisfaction (and let me also say the customer’s satisfaction, please). Returning exclusively to office work without considering the benefits of remote work means uprooting the progress made and ignoring the modern needs of workers.

The need for a hybrid approach

The future of work could lie in a hybrid approach that combines the advantages of smart working with the benefits of office work. This mode allows employees to choose when and where to work, based on the needs of their role and their personal preferences. By adopting a hybrid model, companies can maintain the flexibility and productivity of remote work while offering opportunities for face-to-face collaboration and team building. A striking example I witnessed with my own eyes, not far from my reality and daily life: a company XYZ (fictitious name, obviously) decided to maintain hybrid work. It thus reduced the structural size of its headquarters, decreasing the number of floors assigned to workers. The result was an 80% cut in company expenses (and I would be very happy to pay a little more on the electricity bill working from home, rather than waking up when the sun has not yet risen and facing at least two hours of travel one way and as many on the return, thus reproducing this infinite work-work cycle). Not bad at all. Instead, some companies continue to expand, in a context that is moving more and more towards green but adding blocks of cement on other blocks of cement. We should be the change, and we already have the answer at hand. Always with a lot of common sense! Global Workplace Analytics estimates that a typical employer can save about $11,000 per year for each person working remotely at least half the time⁷.

According to “Clean Craftsmanship”, maintaining high standards of quality and professionalism is crucial in any work setting. Remote work encourages software engineers to adhere to best practices and strive for continuous improvement, ensuring that productivity and output remain high. This culture of craftsmanship promotes attention to detail and a commitment to excellence, which are essential for successful remote work. Additionally, combining remote work with occasional in-person interactions fosters strong human connections and teamwork, creating a balanced and effective hybrid work environment.

A hybrid approach, however, requires careful management. We started with a study conducted by Stanford University in 2020 which confirms that remote workers reported 13% higher productivity than their office counterparts¹. Companies need to establish clear policies and provide adequate technological support to ensure that all employees can work effectively, regardless of their location, and, tirelessly, with common sense. It is also important to promote a culture of trust and responsibility, where results count more than hours spent in the office. It is in such decisions that corporate leadership can distinguish itself positively, making decisions that reflect the thoughts of their employees because, after all, “the company belongs to the employees”, it is their mirror.

Is the dice cast?

The transition from remote work to mandatory office return has prompted discussions on the potential benefits of in-person work versus remote work. While some companies may see value in office work, it’s important to consider the advantages and flexibility offered by remote work, as demonstrated by the 98% of remote workers who expressed a desire to continue working remotely⁸.

A hybrid model that combines the strengths of both approaches may be the optimal solution for the future of work. Embracing this new reality could potentially improve productivity and overall employee satisfaction. It’s crucial for companies to adapt to the changing work environment rather than insisting on a return to the past in order to stay competitive and retain top talent.

Use common sense, folks! 💡

Sources

¹ Stanford University. “The bright future of working from home” Stanford University, 2020 (https://siepr.stanford.edu/publications/essay/bright-future-working-home).
² Global Workplace Analytics. “The Business Case for Remote Work” Global Workplace Analytics, 2020 (https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/the-business-case-for-remote-work).
³ Shopify. “Canada’s Shopify CEO says era of ‘office centricity is over; most staff to permanently work from home”, 2020 (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-shopify/canadas-shopify-ceo-says-era-of-office-centricity-is-over-most-staff-to-permanently-work-from-home-idUSKBN22X21M/).
⁴ Google. “A hybrid approach to work”, 2021 (https://blog.google/inside-google/life-at-google/hybrid-approach-work/).
⁵ Twitter. “Elon Musk scraps Twitter’s work from home policy”, 2022 (https://www.engadget.com/elon-musk-bans-twitter-employees-from-working-remotely-154000279.html).
⁶ Amazon. “Amazon CEO reportedly told remote employees: -It’s probably not going to work out-”, 2023 (https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/28/23849754/amazon-ceo-andy-jassy-remote-employees-return-to-office).
⁷ International Energy Agency. “Latest Work-at-Home/Telecommuting/Remote Work Statistics” Global Workplace Analytics, 2021 (https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/telecommuting-statistics).
⁸ Buffer. “State of Remote Work 2023” Buffer, 2023 (https://buffer.com/state-of-remote-work/2023).

- My life, my career, and my colleagues. (@arssandor)