Work from anywhere: Benefits & challenges

In our preceding article, we examined the hybrid model of work, which combines some days ‘working from anywhere’ and some days working at the organisation’s worksite. 

We will now discuss the benefits and the challenges of ‘work from anywhere’, including on a hybrid work mode¹.

For employees, the ‘work from anywhere’ and hybrid benefits include:

	Greater choice and flexibility in location1 and scheduling2
	Maintaining a healthier work-life balance3
	Enhanced productivity4
	Less or no commuting2
	More time with family2
	Helping to juggle childcare and other responsibilities5
	Better physical and mental health1
	Improved engagement and happiness4
	Reduction in personal expenses (transport, food, coffee, retail, office clothing).6

A recent Riverbed / Aternity global survey found that most organisations surveyed “are now very comfortable with employees working remotely and believe there are many benefits to adopting a hybrid work model.”⁷

For organisations, some of the ‘work from anywhere’ and hybrid benefits are:

	An enhanced Employee Value Proposition, including attraction, retention, diversity and morale8
	Boosted productivity8
	The ability to source the best talent from anywhere7
	Reduced expenses associated with new employee relocation and office setup7
	Business continuity during weather and pandemic events8
	Improved workplace culture9
	Beneficial investment in new remote work technology and hybrid collaboration tools10
	Reduced office space requirements and less cost8
	Opportunity to get creative with workspaces to enhance employee relationships and organisational culture11
	Better digital experience for employees and customers.7

A “resounding 84% of” Riverbed / Aternity “survey respondents believe hybrid will have a lasting and positive impact on society and the world.”⁷

For communities, the environment, and overall sustainability the ‘work from anywhere’ and hybrid benefits include:

	Lowered carbon emissions by reduced commuting, business travel, paperwork, consumables, and office energy use8\
	Less need to build new office buildings due to reduced workplace space requirements8
	Less pressure on healthcare services1 due to happier, healthier employees and families
	Bringing people previously unable to work back into the workforce1
	Less demand for private vehicles and public transport
	Reduced traffic load on road networks
	Strengthened local communities with more people around during working hours, more demand for local services, and better neighbourhood security.

Given all these benefits, there is no doubt that ‘working from anywhere’ and hybrid work are here to stay, providing the opportunity for organisations “to build new workplace norms that not only lead to greater fulfilment for employees but also better business outcomes.”³

However, these work arrangements also have downsides that need to be understood and overcome where possible. 

For employees the ‘working from anywhere’ and hybrid challenges include:

	No distinct separation or break between home and work; not being able to ‘unplug’12
	Putting in more hours13
	Difficulty with collaboration and communication with colleagues12
	Loneliness12 and isolation, especially for introverts14
	Staying motivated12
	Being in a different time zone from teammates12
	Picking up subtle clues about own work performance is more difficult15
	Harder to develop relationships with leaders and colleagues16
	Potential negative impact on career advancement17
	Distractions at home12, including from spouse, children, pets, and others in the workspace17
	Being out of the day-to-day flow of information and activity17
	Least experienced workers need the office the most18
	Increased hot-desking when in the office leads to less feeling of belonging
	Video-chat exhaustion (‘Zoom fatigue’).19

For organisations, some of the challenges from ‘work from anywhere’ and hybrid work are:

	IT security-related challenges from multiple mobile devices in multiple locations20
	Weaker employee loyalty21
	Presenteeism16 (some employees feeling the need to show up at work)
	Favouritism shown to office-based employees due to proximity bias22
	Heightened competition between at-home and at-work employees16
	Harder to recognise when an employee is struggling with a task and needs support23
	Reduced creative opportunities for employees23
	Resentment among employees who cannot do their jobs from home24
	Management resistance to change17
	Maintaining or improving teamwork and culture.

Finally, for communities, the environment, and overall sustainability the challenges arising from ‘work from anywhere’ and hybrid work include:

	Less demand for public transport24 will reduce revenue, with likely effects on city/state budgets and employment
	Less people in cities and lower demand for city food, hospitality, and other retail services24 will reduce city vibrancy
	Income reductions for city traders and landlords25 may increase business failures
	Reduced state and local tax revenues.26

In summary, we have outlined many benefits, and numerous challenges that flow from employees ‘working from anywhere’ or on a hybrid work model.

However, it is worth noting that “we’ve all been living through the greatest workplace disruption in generations and the pace will not slow down.”²⁷ The challenges outlined in this paper “are all wrinkles that companies can and should iron out…since remote work is here to stay.”²⁸

Our next paper will consider the benefits of introducing short-term, temporary options for your employees to ‘work from anywhere’.

Norton Rose Fulbright assists organisations to efficiently and effectively address the legal aspects of the new global work environment, including working from anywhere. Please reach out if we can assist your organisation in this respect.