Is the home office the future of work?

Remote work in numbers

The work landscape is undergoing a profound transformation worldwide, with remote work emerging as a prominent feature. In Poland, this shift is particularly noteworthy: according to the results of a 2024 survey by Cushman & Wakefield, 27% of Poles combine work in an office with a home office. This percentage can be significantly higher for big cities (those with more than 500,000 residents), reaching even 36%.

What is more, according to research from McKinsey, 87% of people take the opportunity to work remotely if offered.

Home office and the future

Nick Bloomberg, an American economist recently published his forecast for the future of work from home. According to the American's prediction, working from home should stabilize at around 28% of working days across the economy. This is a significant – 5-fold increase – over the levels before 2019 and the pandemic of COVID-19.

The rise of remote work models

This seismic change has been propelled by various factors, but the most impactful ones could be classified into one of three categories:

• Technological advancements and connectivity: The proliferation of high-speed internet, collaborative tools, and communication platforms has facilitated seamless remote work setups.
• Changing work culture: A cultural shift towards prioritizing flexibility and autonomy in the workplace has driven the adoption of remote work arrangements.
• Influence of global events: The recent COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst, as it compelled many organizations to embrace remote work to ensure business continuity and employee safety.

What are the benefits of remote and hybrid work approaches?

For both the remote as well as hybrid work models, there are certain benefits, such as:

• Enhanced work-life balance: Those work models offer greater flexibility, allowing workers to better balance their professional and personal responsibilities.
• Improved well-being: Remote work can contribute to improved mental health and overall well-being by reducing stress associated with commuting and providing greater flexibility to manage personal commitments.
• Mitigating urbanization: Remote work has the potential to alleviate strain on urban infrastructure. It enables individuals to work regardless of the location, thus reducing the concentration of the workforce in major cities.
• Increased productivity: Many studies have indicated that remote workers tend to be more productive due to fewer distractions and the ability to customize their work environment.
• Costs cutting: Both employers and employees can benefit from reduced overhead costs associated with commuting, office space, and utilities.

The challenges of remote and hybrid work models

While remote work offers numerous advantages, it is also not without its challenges.

Remote work can contribute to social isolation, as well as blurring the boundaries between work and personal life.

It is also worth remembering about the technological barriers. Remote and hybrid work models are only possible thanks to a well-developed digital infrastructure, therefore investment to establish and maintain such a system is necessary.

What is more, cybersecurity is crucial to support the widespread adoption of remote work and mitigate associated risks.