What we learned

From working from home during the pandemic

For people whose primary work is in an office, WFH is possible 95% of the time. Possible, not necessarily comfortable.

The efficiency of meeting in person. Human senses are in play. Online meetings can't replicate it. The screen and the apparatus are alienating factors. It only comes close in a one to one call where the focus is on a single person.

The emotional support of coworkers in the office is hard to replicate online. The sheer presence of someone next to you, without having to set up a call and break what both of you are doing. When things get stressful, this is the biggest loss in WFH.

The office as a meeting place more than a desk-working place. A venue for the human interaction that can’t be done remotely. A place that generates and supports the collective culture of an organisation.

The commute as a transitional space to prepare for work, or to prepare for home. As processing time. As a boundary with depth in time and space between work and home.

The boundary problems of WFH. Work invades everything. So do children.

Hidden overwork and stress. Because there are no boundaries, and we're not with our coworkers who can see and help.

Most homes are not set up for work - tech, a separate space, ergonomics, acoustics etc.

So from now on we need to see a workspace as a usual part of home, like a bedroom, dining space etc. From now it will always be needed some of the time, so we had better make it work.