Work from the office vs. work from home: Find out which option is right for you

You may wonder what's better: work-from-home or work-from-office arrangements. The debate is between traditional office work and remote work. It has become more common in the Philippines in recent years due to the 2020 pandemic.  

Companies choose the best arrangement for them. Employees also weigh their options. 

Many employers have already issued return-to-office, or RTO, mandates. But, according to a recap of the 2022 Future of Recruitment Report, most employees prefer remote working or following a hybrid arrangement. 

Consider your preferences and job needs. Each work environment has pros and cons. Finding the right one is crucial for productivity and job satisfaction. We'll cover the following in this guide:

• Pros and cons of working from the office
• How to adapt when you have to go back to the office for work?
• Pros and cons of working from home
• How to adapt when you go back to working from home?
• Factors to consider when choosing to work from an office or from home
• How do I know if I work better in the office or from home?
• Conclusion
• FAQs 

Pros and cons of working from the office 

Here is a more detailed look at the advantages and challenges related to working from an office: 

Pros 

Here are some reasons why working in an office is better than at home: 

1. A structured environment 

A physical office provides a structured environment that enhances productivity and focus. A dedicated workspace and set working hours make it easier to establish a routine. They also make it easier to stick to a schedule. With fewer distractions, some people prioritize better. They manage their time more effectively in an office.  

Working in an office also gives you easy access to the necessary tools, office equipment, and resources to do your job. This improves your efficiency. 

2. Improved collaborative opportunities 

An office environment provides opportunities for face-to-face collaboration. Being physically present in the exact location allows for more effective communication. In-person engagement creates fast and seamless collaboration among colleagues. All these factors can boost productivity. 

You interact with your coworkers regularly when you work in an office setting. This helps you build strong professional relationships that make it easier to work together. These relationships may also be valuable for career advancement. Your colleagues help provide networking opportunities.    

3. Tight-knit relationships with team members 

Office working leads to closer relationships and greater cohesion between colleagues. The increased face time provides more opportunities to get to know your coworkers from different departments. Furthermore, you can interact with them during dinner or karaoke sessions after work.  

This fosters a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Building these relationships also creates a more positive work environment. It's more enjoyable because you're around people you know.  

4. Clear work-life boundaries 

A healthy work-life balance helps you achieve personal and professional growth. Healthy boundaries between work and personal life protect your mental health and well-being. An office environment gives you a separate and dedicated physical space for working.  

This makes focusing on your work tasks easier, which might help you be more productive. Having a separate space to work also helps you switch off from work and focus on your activities when you finish the day. It also reduces your stress and decreases your risk of burnout. 

This is why some may say working in the office is better than working at home.  

5. Increased access to workplace benefits 

Many workplaces provide benefits to office workers. These include free lunches, coffee, and snacks. Air conditioning, a second monitor, and an ergonomic chair for added comfort and to improve productivity are also common. Some companies offer free transportation or parking to employees who choose to go back to the office. 

Cons 

Here are some of the disadvantages of working in an office setting: 

1. Commute challenges 

TomTom Traffic's 2023 Traffic Index report revealed that people working in Metro Manila spent about 24.5 minutes traveling 10 kilometers. If you have to drive this distance to go to work, that means you’re spending over two hours each week on the road. In addition, the Traffic Index report revealed that the total driving time in Manila over the course of a year was 232 hours, 113 of which were spent driving in congestion, the time when you may be going to or from work. 

Time spent on the road is not the only adverse effect of commuting. If you use a private vehicle, fuel could be expensive. This applies even if you have a high fuel economy rating sedan. There is also the added cost of parking fees. 

You could spend less using public transport, such as a train, bus, jeepney, taxi, or other public utility vehicle. For example, a 10-kilometer ride on a traditional jeepney only costs ₱22.75, which means your daily commute would be less than ₱50.  

But there are disadvantages. These include the time and effort you spend waiting for a ride and the discomfort and health risks of riding in a cramped vehicle. 

2. Limited flexibility 

Working in an office provides structure and consistency, but it could be an issue if you prefer a more flexible schedule. If you're more productive during certain times of the day or want a change in your environment, office working won't help you maximize your productivity.  

The traditional office setting is also challenging for individuals with diverse work schedules. The typical office working hours in the Philippines are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This includes an hour's break for lunch.  

If your schedule deviates from this, you may encounter challenges in commuting or communicating with your team. The rigid schedule may also make a healthy work-life balance difficult to achieve. 

3. Lifestyle expenses 

Aside from commuting, you must consider food expenses when working in an office. A 2022 survey found that Filipinos spend between ₱100 and ₱150 when they eat out for lunch. 

In contrast, a family serving of chicken adobo is around ₱300, even if you factor in rice. This is good for five people, or ₱60 per person, which is less than what you might spend if you buy lunch whenever you go to your physical workplace. 

How to adapt when you have to return to the office for work? 

You've been working remotely. Now, you must return to in-person work. You might wonder how to improve your workspace. Here are tips on improving the working environment in the office:

• Figure out what type of transportation works best for you. Consider your schedule, budget, and time. Use Google Maps. It shows available transportation types and gives you the arrival time.
• Give yourself enough time to commute. Add 30 minutes to an hour for unexpected delays, such as traffic jams or road closures. Take particular note of this if you're commuting during rush hours, between 7 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Create a schedule that works for you. Determine your peak productivity hours and allot these to your most important tasks. Include breaks into your schedule to avoid burnout and give yourself time to recharge.
• Incorporate exercise and walks into your daily routine. Physical activity helps you maintain your overall health and well-being. Walking after work or during lunch will improve your mood, clear your mind, and combat the adverse effects of working behind a desk all day. 

Pros and cons of working from home 

Understanding the pros and cons of working from home helps you determine if this arrangement might work for you. 

Pros 

Here are some advantages of working from home: 

1. Flexibility 

Remote work gives you the freedom to set your schedule. This increased autonomy allows you to maximize your time. You can schedule meetings and brainstorming sessions when you're most productive. You could also make time for personal activities. 

2. Cost savings 

Working from home is more cost-effective than working in an office. For a 20-kilometer round-trip commute, you could save approximately ₱50 to ₱600 a day – between ₱1,000 and ₱12,000 a month. This relates to the figures we used earlier in this article. 

The biggest expenses for remote workers are electricity and internet access. According to Meralco's appliance calculator, using a laptop nine hours a day (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) will cost around ₱130 a month. Turning on a 1-hp split-type air conditioner simultaneously can add around ₱900. This means remote working increases your monthly utility bill by about ₱1,030. 

Regarding internet access, the most affordable fiber optic plan from service provider PLDT is ₱1,699 a month. Of course, you're unlikely to use this solely for working, so you can't consider it purely a remote work expense. All in all, even with the additional costs, you still stand to save money by working from home. 

3. Increased productivity 

Many studies show that remote working improves productivity. One study examined the effectiveness of a work-from-home arrangement among travel agency employees. The performance of those who worked remotely increased by 13%.  

Tsurvey had a similar observation, with employees who enjoy flexible working arrangements reporting a 29% increase in their productivity. 

Many believe the office offers a more focused work environment because of its structure. But there are things you could do when working remotely to achieve the same results. Here are some examples:

• Invest in comfortable office furniture. An example is an ergonomic chair.
• Make sure the air quality in your working space is good. Install an air filter or purifier and ventilate the space regularly.
• Keep your home office space organized. A clutter-free work area helps you focus and be more productive.
• Add greenery to your workspace. A 2014 experiment showed that people could concentrate better and were more productive in offices that had leafy plants.
• Let in natural light. A 2014 study found that people who work in offices with artificial lighting tend to have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol than those in naturally lit spaces. 

Cons 

Here are some of the disadvantages of working from home: 

1. Isolation 

You're not working closely with your coworkers. So, the sense of purpose and camaraderie that comes with working in an office is missing. This leaves you feeling isolated. Your work productivity and engagement may suffer as a result. 

There are strategies for maintaining a sense of connection. Many organizations create opportunities for employees to connect virtually through videoconferences, online chats, and collaboration tools. Here are some things you can do to recreate the social aspects of working in an office:

• Reach out to coworkers. Engage in conversations about work and non-work topics to establish a connection with them.
• Set boundaries between your work and home life. Avoid burnout by maintaining a work-life balance that allows you to socialize with family and friends.
• Join company events. Participating in corporate social responsibility activities, such as tree-planting initiatives or medical missions, can help you connect with colleagues. 

1. Communication hurdles 

Clear communication is a must in any workplace. But with virtual teams, additional challenges can make this difficult. Common issues that employees who work remotely face are an unreliable internet connection, faulty audio and video equipment, and inadequate tools for communication. 

These issues can affect team collaboration and dynamics. For example, a microphone or headset that's not working properly can hinder continuous idea sharing. A weak connection causes audio and video to lag, making it difficult to share your ideas or listen to a team member during a brainstorming session. These hurdles can make building relationships with team members and clients harder. 

How to adapt when you go back to working from home? 

Here are tips for adapting to working from home:

• Have a proper work-from-home setup. Designate an area in your home as your physical workplace. Your setup should include a comfortable chair, a desk, proper lighting, and the equipment and technology you need for work.
• Create a schedule and stick to it. Even with flexible work hours, try to create a routine for your workday. This helps you stay on top of your tasks and manage your time effectively.
• Set proper work-life boundaries. When you finish work for the day, log out and turn off your devices. Step away from your workspace, and avoid answering calls or emails.
• Take proper breaks. Regular breaks throughout your workday are important for your mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being. Have lunch away from your desk, take a short walk outside, do an exercise routine, or chat with your colleagues.
• Remain communicative during office hours. Enable notifications on your work communication platforms and devices, set an alarm for lunch breaks, and clear your email inbox regularly. Update your calendar if there are changes to your schedule so your team knows your availability and contact you when necessary. 

Factors to consider when choosing to work from an office or from home 

Here are some key considerations to remember when deciding whether to work in an office or from home: 

Job nature 

Some roles require a physical presence because of the nature of the job. These include many positions in healthcare, manufacturing, and other industries where on-site work is necessary.  

There are also jobs you can perform remotely without affecting the quality of your work. These usually involve computer-based tasks like software development, customer service, and digital marketing. 

Personal preferences 

Work style and preferences have an impact on job satisfaction. That's why it's important to consider them before you choose a work arrangement.  

Working in an office is a great option if you thrive in a social work environment that encourages interaction among employees. If you prefer a quieter setting where you can work independently, working from home may suit you. 

Company culture 

Company culture influences how employees work and interact with one another. When deciding, first consider how your values align with those of the company you wish to work for. Then, see if these values result in a company culture that supports working from home or in an office.  

If the company values innovation, its organizational culture may make it easier for new employees to work remotely. If it values teamwork and subscribes to a traditional hierarchical structure, its culture may encourage you to work in the office. 

How do I know if I work better in the office or from home? 

Here's a quick way to determine if working from home or in an office is right for you: 

Determine your work style and preferences 

If you're self-motivated and can stay focused on work despite distractions from family, pets, or roommates, a work-from-home arrangement could work for you.  

If you need a structured environment with clear boundaries between your work and personal life, you may find working in an office more suitable. Regarding communication style, you may be happier with office work if you're more extroverted and thrive on collaboration. 

Assess your work environment 

Working from home is excellent if you have a suitable space for working and you don't need specific office equipment to do your job. 

 But if workplace resources are essential to your work, going to the office is a better choice. And if your job involves a lot of teamwork and face-to-face collaboration, an office environment might also be more conducive to working effectively. 

Take note of emotional and social considerations 

If you thrive in solitude and prefer jobs where collaboration is minimal, you could likely work from home without much difficulty. But if you need social interaction to feel motivated or enjoy working with others, an office environment may improve your mental health. In general, the more social you are, the more you may benefit from office work. 

Bottom line 

Working in an office and working from home have their pros and cons. Office work offers more social interaction and collaboration, provides a clear structure for your day, and separates your work and personal life more effectively. 

 Remote working gives you greater flexibility and may improve your productivity. It can also be more cost-effective. You need to weigh these against your work style, preferences, and social and emotional needs to determine which option suits you best. 

FAQs 

Here are answers to common questions about this topic: 

1. What is the meaning of working from the office? 
   ⁠Working from the office refers to the traditional work arrangement where employees carry out their tasks and responsibilities within a physical office space their employer provides. This setup typically involves commuting to and from work, adhering to regular office hours, and interacting face-to-face with colleagues and supervisors. 
2. What is the difference between WFH and WFO? 
   ⁠WFH, or working from home, and WFO, or working from the office, lie in the physical location where employees perform their duties. Employees on a work-from-home arrangement can complete their tasks from the comfort of their own homes. On the other hand, an office setup requires employees to be physically present in a specific location. 
3. Is it better to work from home or in an office? 
   ⁠The answer to this depends on your job, the company culture, your work style, and personal preferences. An innovative company may embrace work-from-home arrangements, while a business with traditional values may prefer you work at the office.  
   ⁠
   ⁠If you can do your job remotely, a work-from-home arrangement could work. But if you need to be on-site to complete tasks, working at the office may be mandatory. 
4. How to get used to working in an office again? 
   ⁠Transitioning back to working in an office after a period of working from home can be a big adjustment. You can make it easier by establishing and following a routine. Also, take advantage of the social aspect of office work by connecting with your colleagues. This can help you feel more at ease in your new office environment.