According to a recent report, returning to office work needs to be carefully thought in order to prevent new problems. Remote working reduces costs for the employees and it’s a new strategy that industries have to take into account.
Recently, several companies have asked their employees to return to the office. The 5 days routine vs. hybrid systems started a debate about how to increase the team performance as well as respect and enjoy a better work environment. A recent pollo by BetterUp shows that remote working has been reduced by half and 1 of 4 companies defend this decision because of connection and culture aspects. However, the same research also indicates that returning to the office also generates problems for workers.
The BetterUp research and how much it costs for workers to stop remote working
The research included 1400 polls to fulltime American workers who were ordered to return to the office. Most of them indicate that they feel more tired and have stress episodes after returning to the office. The influence of office work in employees is the main topic for this investigation.
The BetterUp research indicates that the order to return to the office can negatively influence the team. If it’s not well communicated or well implemented. Employees may feel resentful against the bosses.
Going to the office costs a lot of money
The costs of returning to the office are high for each employee. For example, in the USA each employee that returns to 5 days routine at the office spends 561 dollars. It goes to transport, kids and pets cares and home assistance. The research compares the costs to a monthly groceries cart for a family of two.
In Spain, for example, one of the most expensive bills is that of gasoline when returning to the office. Staying at home and doing remote working saves money for the employee. The results of BetterUp research are similar to those of State of Hybrid Work report from September 2023 by Owl Labs. An average worker can spend more than 1000 dollars a month in travelling. It also includes other expenses from returning to the office.
Travelling to work increases stress
Another interesting aspect of the research indicates that 30 minutes and 45 minutes travels to work generate stress and anger in the employees. The general welfare is negatively influenced by having to spend time to go to the office. Abandoning remote working also generates problems in flexibility to adapt working and domestic tasks.
Time is one of the resources that people cherish the most, and remote working helped them to control the time management. Now they have to return to the office and there are certain limits they can’t avoid.