Story:
Why Are Employees Reluctant to Go Back to In-Office Work

Globally, offices were forced to shut down and companies had to explore different methods of working, such as switching to a remote workforce. Now that government restrictions are easing up and some offices have begun being operational again, some employees are still reluctant to go back to work. 

There is a lot that comes into play when employees consider getting back to in-office work. Here are five reasons why employees are reluctant to go back to in-office work.

Balancing personal and work-life

For some, balancing their work and personal lives has been a mammoth task before having the provision of working at home. Remote work has helped employees focus more on personal relationships, family bonds and even hobbies. 

Employees have set up permanent offices in their homes. From tiny cabins to swanky offices in the garage, they have been innovative and loved every part of it. According to 5 Star Repair Services Inc, well-known for their 24 hour AC repair Houston, they have received much more business in the last year or so due to people setting their home offices and needing AC repair, installation and shifting of the units. It just shows how people have prepared their homes to carry out office work.

Avoiding commute to work

Undoubtedly, commuting to and from work is the biggest pain of working at an office or designated facility. Some employees are forced to wake up way too early for work just to get there on time. 

Those using unreliable transportation systems are the ones who bear the full brunt of this. All these negative aspects related to commuting to work make employees reluctant to go back to work. The benefits of waking up 30 mins to the beginning of work hours seem way too appealing to be sacrificed by many.

Flexibility obtained from working at home 

Working a 9 to 5 shift may not be the best for everyone when considering various personality traits and preferences. Some could be more productive at night since it is quieter and there are fewer distractions. 

As a result, employees are cherishing remote work because it gives them that flexibility to work at time periods comfortable to them. Working from home has offered much more benefits than working in-office, leading to the reluctance to go back to work.

Concern over health and safety

Despite fearing the worst in terms of contracting viruses at work with the shared infrastructure, there are other health issues related to office work. For example, office policy may not allow employees to take walks and stretch themselves at any given moment during the day. 

At the same time, the environment could be stressful and even trigger anxiety or depression amongst some whereas, working at home is sort of like a sanctuary where you feel safe and free of judgment. Employees suffering from these health issues might find it easier to simply work at home instead of going back to working in the office.

Ability to take on side hustles 

Due to uncertain economic circumstances, almost everyone has a side hustle or is working on one to have multiple income streams. Working on side hustles while going to the office every day can be very taxing and might even lead to burnout. Working at home has given employees the prime opportunity to work on ideas and fully develop their side hustles. 

Others have started managing them very well and, as a result, have more financial security than they did before. Employees who have these side hustles are unwilling to risk it all by going back to the office, which is another cause of the reluctance to go back to an in-office working arrangement.