Since I’m not a fan of unnecessary rounds of discussion, I’ll state it upfront: I’m a big advocate of remote work.

This is largely because I’ve been working from home at every job since 2015 (except for a short two-month period, by the end of which I convinced my boss to switch to remote work). Considering my previous work experiences were brief and alongside my university studies, it means I’ve spent most of my professional years working remotely, so this feels natural to me.

But I wouldn’t end the discussion there, because it’s obvious that not everyone can or wants to work from home, and that’s perfectly fine. However, it’s important to recognize that in today’s world, many jobs don’t require people to be in an office every day, and forcing those who could efficiently do their work from home to come into the office does not enhance productivity.

What are the advantages and challenges of remote work?

Home office undoubtedly requires a high level of trust in employees and team members. You have to accept that people will complete their tasks even if no one is watching them. I understand that this requires a significant shift in mindset, especially for those not accustomed to it, but it’s important to see that most people want to complete their assigned tasks on time and with good quality because they know that failing to do so jeopardizes their income and livelihood.

Additionally, granting this trust can be a motivating force in itself – I’ve often seen people complete their tasks much faster and more efficiently from home than they did from the office.

I also don’t believe that people work better just because someone is watching them. On the contrary, I find that I am much more efficient when I can organize my day and activities myself, as this gives me control over my life rather than being at the mercy of external factors. Therefore, office environments and micromanagement are particularly demotivating for me, and I don’t see them as effective ways to make others work either.

Moreover, opening up to home office expands the talent pool from which we can draw. We need to move past the idea that good employees are only found in Budapest, especially as rising real estate prices push more highly skilled professionals to move to rural areas where they can afford to buy property – and of course, also because living in the countryside is fantastic. 🙂

Of course, there will always be people for whom working from home isn’t suitable. Some can’t concentrate in their home environment, some lack the proper infrastructure, and there are many other reasons why someone might prefer working in an office. That’s why it’s good to have a place where people can go if needed, but without making it mandatory. This meeting place doesn’t have to be a huge office complex – a coworking space can also solve the problem and be a more cost-effective solution for the company.

Naturally, home office has its challenges too, and I’m not claiming it’s superior to office life in every aspect. For example, it can present communication challenges in daily life. However, my experience shows that even before the Zoom boom during COVID, everything could be handled online – and since then, more and more applications and platforms are available every day to support remote work.

Additionally, building camaraderie among colleagues who may never have met can also be a challenge. However, there are good solutions for this too, such as frequent team meetings or even one office day per month. In such cases, it should be acknowledged that this day will likely focus on socializing, which should be factored into the project schedule. (I can assure you, even if colleagues come into the office every day, they would still spend at least one day a month socializing over coffee, meals, or smoke breaks.)

Unfortunately, I often see that home office is not about company efficiency or employee capabilities, opportunities, and needs, but has become a kind of bargaining chip in the hands of management. Many companies that were forced to switch to remote work during the COVID lockdowns have gradually moved back to the office, sometimes offering just one day of home office per week, which is just enough for people to not engage in active work that day (with all due respect to the exceptions).

There are various reasons behind this, including the aforementioned lack of trust, desire for control, and in the current economic situation, I also see that calling employees back to the office is a conscious element of downsizing, knowing that many who have adapted to full (or almost full) remote work will resign, so the company won’t have to lay off employees.

So, what’s the solution?

I believe a workplace or project team can move forward if it can create a trusting environment where team members complete their tasks out of intrinsic motivation, because they enjoy working on the given project – not because management is watching their every move.

There will likely always be those who find office life more straightforward and satisfying, as well as those who can only truly thrive working from home. The solution, in my opinion, lies in creating and providing a work environment where each individual can perform their best.