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Q: The A&M fraternity is divided on working full-time from the workplace. What do you think works best for efficiencies of an organisation and individual: WFO, WFH or hybrid?
A: The answer to your question can’t be binary – either black or white. Every organisation has its own priorities and operating imperatives. So it’s not possible to predict what is good for an organisation as a generic prescription and not taking into account specific circumstances.
It’s a fact that presence in the workplace improves cross-pollination of ideas, camaraderie and teamwork , in general. Someone can argue that one may achieve the same virtually and this can improve work life balance better. The jury is still out on the subject.
It’s a given perception that human beings are a gregarious breed of animals and they like active social interactions (not through social media) in a world of collective aloneness.
Given the above, let me try to propose a thought: if you divide corporate functions by existing paradigm, there are combinations of line and staff functions. The line functions are mostly customer-facing and require active engagement with multiple functions within the organisation and with customers outside (in a platform and creator universe this is all the more critical). Hence a hybrid approach—staggered schedule for staff function (may be once a week) and five-day week for line functions might be a viable option. Needless to say, a prior discussion with HODs of various functions keeping in mind customers’ interests and corporate priorities would facilitate smooth execution.