Everyone agrees that COVID-19 was a disaster for all; several countries went into full lockdown, employees were being fired left and right, and global supply chains were disrupted overnight. However, through all that, we managed to find a system that was surprisingly efficient: working from home. In this way, many were given a way to keep their 9-to-5 job whilst enjoying working from the comfort of their own homes. Concerns that this would lead to laziness due to lack of supervision and the snug environment were soon quashed, as studies found that people are more productive while working from home. On top of that, attitudes are shifting – people prefer working from home by a huge margin, and allowing work from home might even affect a consumer’s choices when picking which company to patronize. With so much apparent benefit to it, why force people to return to the office? It is quite clear to see that where possible, allowing work-from-home is the way to go.  

A big boost to productivity 

A survey¹ commissioned by Bospar in 2024 found that remote work delivered many benefits to the company, whether it was in the form of employee welfare or if it was for overall profits.  

From the survey: 

• 61% report being more productive working from home 

• 34% maintain equal productivity levels at home vs. office 

• Only 5% report lower productivity at home 

• 87.5% have established dedicated home workspaces 

• 81.4% report improved work-life balance 

These key findings show that working from home almost certainly would provide an uplift to the company’s performance due to a much more efficient workforce. But this is not the only reason why a company should consider shifting to a hybrid work model.  

Severe backlash for inflexible work models 

With the idea of working from home becoming a radical but popular one, many people would prefer a company that allows its workers to work remotely either through a fully remote or a hybrid system, whether it be as an employee or as a customer.  

A companion study by Reputation Leaders² found the following: 

• 73% of consumers would be less likely to purchase from companies requiring full-time office work 

• 63% would be less likely to apply for jobs without remote work options 

• 60% believe companies should encourage remote work to reduce environmental impact 

It’s plain to see that offering a remote working arrangement would attract a vast majority of job seekers and give companies a higher chance of recruiting better talent compared to their inflexible counterparts. On top of that, patrons can vote with their wallets, making this working arrangement simply a wise business decision to attract more customers.  

Eliminating work commutes 

Having the opportunity to work from home also means the elimination of travelling to and from the office, allowing these employees to spend less time on a train or bus and more time on being productive and paperwork. Also, it’s environmentally friendly; by reducing the need to travel, carbon emissions from commuting will be significantly reduced, allowing us to reduce our carbon footprint. Compared to someone who works in an office, someone who fully works from home will cut their greenhouse gas emissions by a whopping 54%³, a massive improvement and a boon in the fight against climate change.  

Opposition from higher-ups 

In opposition to this idea, many employers argue that working from home makes communication and collaboration a lot more difficult due to the lack of face-to-face interactions, and honestly, I agree. However, we must acknowledge that with tools like Zoom video call and WhatsApp text messaging, the speed at which we can communicate online is extremely quick, and the time that would be lost from not working in an office setting would be relatively minimal. Furthermore, many corporate employees generally complain that a lot of meetings they need to attend are usually “pointless” or “useless”, so if the meeting is not important, they can just minimize the tab of the meeting call and focus on what really needs to get done, something that would usually get you yelled at if you did so in person.  

An important societal overhaul 

The benefits of working from home are undeniable, whether it be the profit numbers or the environmental impact. From a company’s perspective, the decision is obvious: allowing remote work is necessary to remain competitive in today’s society. As such, it is imperative that we see a change to the corporate structure that has been in place. The notion that workers must wake up early and report to the office to work their 9 to 5 is outdated, and though this structure has lasted decades, once it is overhauled, it will bring tangible benefits to everyone.  

References: 

1. Bospar’s 10th anniversary research confirms remote work drives superior business outcomes. Bospar Public Relations + Marketing. (2025, January 15). https://bospar.com/press-release/bospars-10th-anniversary-research-confirms-remote-work-drives-superior-business-outcomes/  

2. Evans, D. (2024, February 23). From remote to return: Crafting the ideal work environment for your team. Reputation Leaders. https://www.reputationleaders.com/media/from-remote-to-return/  

3. Guardian News and Media. (2023, September 18). People who work from home all the time “cut emissions by 54%” against those in office. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/18/people-who-work-from-home-all-the-time-cut-emissions-by-54-against-those-in-office