The Best Work Model for Tech Professionals
Written by Princess Wilson
Long before the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, companies across the world had employed several working models. Remote or hybrid work was not new for tech companies, but its popularity grew due to the global pandemic.
As many organizations struggled, offices were forced to close, and companies that practiced the traditional on-site model had to find a way to accommodate their employees to work from home.
However, due to vaccines and the several COVID guidelines, a sense of normalcy has returned. While some companies are fully immersed in remote work, others are beginning to mandate a full resumption to the office or the hybrid model. But uncertainty remains for some organizations. With the global shortage of tech talent, what work model works best and would ensure productivity and retainment of staff?
The On-site Model
The on-site model is the traditional working from the office model. In this work model, employees are expected to arrive and leave a certain workspace at a specific time. Today, many employers offer flexibility, such as part-time work, but all duties are still expected to be conducted on-site.
Pros
Improved communication:
While tools like Zoom and Google Meet enable flexibility within the workplace, it does not beat communicating physically. Physical communication makes it easier to establish bonds and build a healthy work culture.
Enhanced collaboration and teamwork:
In a 2021 global study, 25% of workers said the ability to work with their colleagues physically is a primary reason they prefer the on-site model. The on-site model brings a sense of collaboration amongst team members that can not be found in any other work model.
It makes it easier to work on a project with co-workers and for colleagues to lend each other a hand. It also makes it easier for managers to track the activities of their staff.
Career Advancement Opportunities:
The on-site work model enables managers and other executive members to notice employees who are doing outstanding work. This could translate to promotions, salary increases, or other incentives that would boost productivity in the workplace.
Great Work-life Balance:
Generally, the on-site model aids employees in drawing a line between their work and their personal life. While hybrid or fully remote work might be gradually becoming the norm in the tech field, it makes it harder to maintain a healthy work-life balance and leave your work behind when the clock strikes 5 pm.
Great Online Security:
Companies practicing the on-site model have higher online security and are less likely to be victims of a cyberattack, which could lead to the loss of crucial data.
Cons
Less productivity:
Working from the office tends to bring a certain level of distraction that can easily be avoided when you work from home. Depending on the number of employees in the organization, the office can become noisy as proximity encourages conversations. This can make it hard to concentrate, leading to decreased productivity.
Sedentary Lifestyle:
Working from home makes it easier to take breaks from your screen to get a snack or take a walk. Meanwhile, working from the office enables a sedentary lifestyle that keeps you glued to the screens. This is bad for posture, eyes, and overall health.
Safety:
While the world is doing a remarkable job of adapting to the COVID-19 virus, it can still be a cause for worry when people need to work in a closed space with others. This is particularly worse if it’s a large organization, as it increases the chances of contracting the virus and other infections.
The Remote Model
Remote work has gained immense popularity as it is now the ideal work model for many tech professionals. About 16% of companies worldwide are fully remote, and the number of remote workers across the globe has increased by 159% since 2009.
In the remote model, employees are expected to work for a specified number of hours but wherever is most convenient for them. It could be their homes, a café, or wherever else they are most comfortable.
This model appears to be the most preferred amongst tech professionals, and 86% of them say they prefer it due to its greater flexibility.
Pros
Zero commute time:
A significant advantage of the remote model is that it eradicates the need for daily commutes. For employees living in traffic-packed regions, remote work saves them the stress of sitting in traffic. Employees can save money and time, translating to an increase in productivity.
Autonomy & Flexibility:
Remote work allows employees to work on a schedule that works best for them. Employees can choose to work at hours when they feel most inspired rather than the confines of the traditional 9–5 that is associated with the on-site model. This improves the quality of their work while keeping employees happy.
Diversity:
As the tech talent shortage remains unwavering, more companies are reaching beyond the boundaries of their countries to explore talents across the globe. With remote work, companies with one physical building or none can have efficient employees scattered across the world, delivering quality work.
Reduced Staff Turnover:
Organizations that offer remote work options experience about a 25% less turnover rate than those that don’t. Today’s tech talents are more likely to stick with organizations that give them the flexibility to work from anywhere. Thus, companies that do so tend to have happier employees, leading to high employee retention.
Cons
Communication Gaps:
There are more likely to be communication gaps in a remote team than in the physical or hybrid model teams. These communication gaps amongst colleagues can lead to confusion, misunderstandings, and, ultimately, reduced efficiency. Additionally, it also affects teamwork, as 63% of employees say working from home makes it challenging to collaborate with team members.
Poor Work-Life Balance:
As mentioned earlier, the on-site work model ensures a better work-life balance than remote or hybrid. With remote work, it becomes difficult for some to keep work within work hours. This leads to extensive work hours, which may cause burnout.
Isolation:
While isolation may not be a problem for some, it still poses a severe challenge to others, especially people who live alone. Working remotely from home means you’d spend less time socializing with others and more time glued to a screen by yourself. This can be incredibly challenging and may affect mental health over time.
Procrastination:
Although the autonomy offered by the remote work model works excellently well for many people, it can cause procrastination in others, reducing productivity. Some employees tend to perform better when they have to physically work in the presence of supervisors and managers.
Additionally, remote work can also cause side distractions such as social media, and 14% of remote workers say that these distractions affect their productivity.
Poor Company Culture:
Fully remote teams struggle to bond, leading to poor work culture and team spirit. According to a study, 62% of remote workers who would like to switch to the on-site model say that the lack of proper team bonding is the primary reason. Additionally, 39% of managers say remote work makes it harder to ensure team engagement.
The Hybrid Model
In a study by Accenture, it was found that 83% of workers prefer this model. As the name suggests, the hybrid model involves a combination of the on-site and remote work models.
In this case, companies choose specific days employees are expected to come into the office and work from home. Organizations using this model may also apply the on-site or remote model in certain departments that require it.
Pros
Enhanced Mental Health:
Fully remote work can lead to loneliness, while an entirely on-site work model can be overwhelming and draining. With the combination of both, employees can work with the flexibility of remote work and enjoy the social benefits of on-site work. This creates the right work-life balance, preventing stress and burnout.
Productivity Boost:
The hybrid model allows employees to balance their workload across remote and on-site days. Its flexibility enables employees to engage in team activities while having the autonomy to work at their most convenient hours. They also save up on the time and cost of commuting on days they work from home.
Employee Satisfaction and Retention:
While the fully remote work model is ideal for most tech professionals, the hybrid model also works perfectly for others. As long as the organization offers the right amount of autonomy, even on on-site days, it leads to employee satisfaction and retention.
Reduced Maintenance & Operational Cost:
With employees working physically at a lesser frequency than the fully on-site model, companies can cut maintenance and operations costs. If it’s a rented building, they may choose to rent a smaller space to save money, and if the company owns the building, they may rent out the extra space, making more money.
Cons
Collaboration Problems:
Organizations that adopt the hybrid model tend to have departments that may be fully remote. This could cause collaboration challenges for teams that are on-site. It could also lead to communication gaps, reducing efficiency amongst employees.
Increased Reliance on Technology:
Adopting the hybrid model comes with an increase in the use of technological tools. Organizations must provide the right software and hardware tools for fully remote, on-site, or hybrid employees to effectively work with each other.
Data Breach Risk:
Companies practicing the hybrid model risk an attack if employees use an insecure internet connection when they’re not in the office. It could lead to a loss of confidential documents, which will be detrimental to the organization
Conclusion
While several research has been and is still being conducted on what the best work model is for tech professionals, there is still no direct answer.
However, it is essential to note that 63% of high-growth organizations have implemented the productivity anywhere work model and that tech professionals are more likely to stay in organizations that offer flexibility.
Thus, for organizations confused about what model to choose, analyze your business and weigh it across the pros and cons of each model.