Latest Blog Posts

Being present: Does working in the office provide an organisation with greater productivity? 

The traditional office environment has long been considered the mainstay for workplace productivity, however as we have all seen the pandemic sought to change this for many organisations and many employees, whose roles permit, have been enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid workplace of home or office.  

In this blog, ViewHR will explore the number of advantages to working from the office that can significantly boost productivity and innovation for both the organisation and the employees alike. 

Improved collaboration and communication 

Collaboration and communication are important tools that help boost productivity and innovation. This is because of: 

  • employees working alongside each other helping on the spot engagement and solutioning,  
  • in person interaction allowing employees to share ideas, ask questions and clarify misunderstandings in real time rather than waiting for a response via Teams or email 
  • increased opportunities to learn and share experiences  
  • employees working together can create greater creativity and reflective analysis of ideas 
  • in person and interactive brainstorming and problem solving to focus on new ideas 
  • working together in person can speed up decision making allowing employees to be more agile and in turn productive 
  • increased passive learning and development.  

Amazon 1 is amongst many global organisations who have positioned themselves to return to the office. It has recently informed its employees that they must return to the office 5 days a week from January 2025. Employees have been told that the advantage of being together in the office are significant stating that “it’s easier for our teammates to learn, model, practice, and strengthen our culture; collaborating, brainstorming, and inventing are simpler and more effective; teaching and learning from one another are more seamless; and, teams tent to be better connected to one another”. 

Stronger working relationships 

An office environment encourages working relationships to become stronger, those informal interactions in the hallway or when making a coffee build trust and strengthen working relationships. There are greater opportunities to informally get to know colleagues and understand their communication and work styles. This increased level of engagement amongst colleagues can contribute to a more engaged and motivated workforce boosting productivity.  

Team dynamics and relationships are an important factor when measuring success, those collaborative relationships foster motivation and engagement amongst colleagues. Whilst being able to use technology such as Zoom or Teams to hold team meetings remotely provides an excellent forum for interaction, being present in person during meetings and discussions can lead to better communication and collaboration. Many organisations such as Amazon believe that in person interactions lead to greater creativity and innovation in the workplace, hence their U-turn. 

Work environment 

A structured work environment can be key for many employees, having a designated space for work can help maintain focus and productivity. The office offers an environment that is free from many of the distractions at home, such as household responsibilities, family interruptions, or personal obligations. In an office environment, employees are more likely to stay focused and maintain a routine which then enhances their ability to meet deadlines and achieve their goals. 

By working in an office, employees also have access to the resources they need, including internet connectivity, office equipment, managers, colleagues and even onsite IT support. 

It is also important to recognise that for many, the routine of commuting to an office, starting and ending work at a set time will help to establish clear boundaries between an employee’s personal and professional life. This itself can help to lower employee burnout and encourage a healthier work life balance.  

Remote or Hybrid Working 

An International Workplace Group (IWG) study in June 2024 2 showed that those hybrid workers were more productive and less stressed. It was highlighted that these workers since they started splitting their time between home and the office, 79% said they felt less drained and 78% less stressed, which 86% agreed that they could cope better with their day-to-day life by working in a hybrid format. However, the question comes for employers, whether this is ultimately better for business and time still has to tell. 

In this same survey it highlighted that 85% of staff were more satisfied with their jobs due to the level of flexibility that they had within their roles. 

Remote and hybrid working offers undeniable benefits such as increased flexibility and work life balance, but it can also present challenges. 

Some employees struggle feeling isolated, leading to a lack of motivation and engagement with their role, colleagues and the organisation, others may find it difficult to concentrate due to distractions working from home.  

Remote or Office – what works better? 

As we have seen, there are many benefits and disadvantages to both concepts, ultimately this should be a decision that is made based on your business and people. It is essential to foster a workplace that supports employees but equally this needs to be balanced with the essential need to maintain levels of productivity across the board so that businesses remain profitable and able to employ their people. We all recognise that for some office working is better and for others they would prefer to have the flexibility to work from home. The concept of hybrid working is something that many organisations adopt to allow the flexibility for all and as we have seen this comes with its additional benefits. 

Some leaders fear that opportunities for innovation may diminish in remote or hybrid work environments. Additionally, many hold strong beliefs about how work should be performed, often shaped by their own career experiences. This mindset can make it difficult to embrace change, and in today’s uncertain economic climate, some leaders are opting to prioritise this sense of familiarity over the potential long-term benefits of improving employee retention. Time will tell as it is an ever-evolving landscape once again. 

To address these challenges and minimise employee dissatisfaction and retention, business leaders need to present a clear and compelling case for a return-to-office policy. This requires open and transparent communication, fostering a two-way dialogue where employees can ask questions and provide feedback – ensuring they feel heard and valued.  

Most importantly, leaders should highlight the potential benefits that individuals and teams can gain from working onsite, focusing on motivating employees to return to the office rather than enforcing a mandate. 

Please contact us here at View HR for further information on how we can support your workplace navigate this.