Is Work From Home (WFH) Here to Stay and How to Maintain It?

It is the common consensus in the business world that WFH (Work from Home) is here to stay and everyone has to adapt to this new style of working. Everyday we get some senior management person of a business organisation telling us what all we need to continue with WFH, detailing some of the services, products and solutions their organisation offers in this realm.

Why Many Organisations Want It

For many organisations, this is actually the preferred mode of working. Many organisations used to employ this style of working even before the Corona-related lockdown happened. For them, there is nothing new about this so-called "New Normal." Some others have discovered post-lockdown that there are certain advantages in WFH style of working. Employees certainly find it much easier, not having to spend a lot of time trudging through congested traffic both ways daily. They would rather stay at home and utilise that travel time in productive work. The organisation owners have discovered that it cuts many kinds of expenditures if the office is kept shut or if it remains open only for short duration. Also, maintenance of the office spaces is not needed. In today's times of uncertain economic future, this is a blessing in disguise.

While some argue that office culture builds team spirit, most others have discovered that team spirit can be upheld in today's world of fast and digital communications without having to go to an office space. Hence, it is being argued by many organisations that WFH is perhaps here to stay.

What Are the Facilities Needed for WFH?

Remote Data Management is one of the first essential that comes to mind. This means establishing an entire infrastructure of Cloud, networking systems, security infrastructure for remote data management and remote document management system (DMS). Computers for every employee working from home is another facility. Although most have their own laptop, if they need a repair, or a new one, the organisation has to take care of it. Data backup system and in many cases, workflow automation is also needed.

Is it Viable for Long-Term?

It's obvious that this entire infrastructure has to be set up fast and the service and networking professionals involved in providing this infrastructure have to be paid for their services and solutions. In terms of cost, it may not be a low cost solution, as it effectively means that the entire office structure has to be replicated in remote work management system. However, in terms of efficient time management and enhanced productivity, it is perhaps a better mode of working than the conventional working style.

Whether it is viable for long time depends upon the resources of each organisation, which are different in each case. If they can afford it, they may adopt a more efficient way of working with long term benefits. Otherwise, if they want to cut costs, they may reopen their conventional mode of working once the lockdown is over.