As more and more Britons receive vaccinations and lockdown restrictions continue to ease, employers and employees alike are grappling with the decision to return to the office, or to continue to encourage staff to work from home.
As the managing director of online gift retailers Bradfords Bakers, Send Them Balloons, and Send Them Cupcakes, James McGoldrick has always been able to keep his staff onsite as it is vital to remain operational. He has happily kept all his staff present onsite, and has taken hygiene precautions to keep all his staff safe from COVID-19.
He recognises the benefits office working has on his staff, especially during the pandemic. Here, James discusses the advantages of office working for his employees.
- A chance to be social
“At the height of the pandemic, it was really difficult to see friends and family we don’t live with as everyone was isolating, and social environments like cafes were closed. It was a really lonely time for a lot of people, so any excuse for a chat and social interaction with someone outside of the household became very valuable.
“It’s easy to get frustrated with the people you spend all your time with, so a break and a chance to discuss different things with different people is important.
“Going to a safe workplace is an excellent opportunity to do just that. While not everyone enjoys going to work, going to see a friend can be really beneficial on the psyche.”
- An excuse to exercise
“People have put in so much effort into working out at home or taking up jogging while gyms have been closed, but when you’ve got limited space, or neighbours to worry about hearing you, or distractions, exercising at home can actually be very difficult to get stuck into.
“When working at home, a lot of people end up remaining in an office chair, or a couch, or bed, for a full day. Although your staying at home, working in your own house can still be mentally tiring, and not everyone will have the energy to be active after a shift.
“The commute is a good chance to exercise, even if it’s just a walk to the bus stop. Then being at the office and walking around doing things keeps you moving and on your feet. You still may not have the energy to do a workout after work, but it’s still a positive thing, having a reason to move about.”
- Change of scenery
“Staring at the same four walls of our home’s day in, day out, can be draining. The days can become monotonous and plain boring when working from home, especially as the boundary between the place where you rest and the place where you work becomes blurred, and it’s difficult to turn off and settle into your free time after your shift.
“Your workplace may not be extremely exciting to behold, but it can still be a breath of fresh air to spend some time somewhere different. And again, the commute serves a positive purpose here as you drive, travel, cycle, or walk, you may encounter different people and scenes that can be unique and exciting.”
“Of course, the decision of whether to come back to the office or remain working from home should be a collaborative one made by the employee and employer both. If a workplace cannot be considered safe while COVID-19 is still a threat, then staff should absolutely remain working from home. But as the world reopens we should pay attention to the wants and needs of our employees, and come to the decision that is best for them.”