Why Many Workers Will Never Return to the Office

Why Many Workers Will Never Return to the Office

COVID-19 has taught us several lessons in the past two years. We have learned to survive when we’re surrounded by uncertainty. Uncertainty about whether the virus will end and if we can ever live a normal life again. People have learned to live in their homes. They understand the importance of spending their time with families and friends, and the little joys in their life. But the most important thing the pandemic has taught us is the importance of changing the way we work. People initially thought that working from home was difficult. But now that companies and employees have learned how to work remotely, it has now become very popular. Employees are not ready to return to the office. And if they have to, they’re leaving their current jobs and are applying to new companies instead. Though working from home requires you to opt for a high-speed internet option like Mint Mobile and quality laptops, people still prefer it. Keep reading to learn how people prefer remote work and why many workers will never return to the office.

Great Resignation and Pandemic

The Great Resignation refers to the elevated rate at which U.S. Employees quit their jobs. The great resignation started in spring of 2021, when the number of COVID-19 cases started to drop following the rise in vaccinations. By observing the trend amid low unemployment and strong labor demand, a professor of business administration at Texas A&M University, Anthony Klotz, used the term in May 2021. Though each worker has their reasons for quitting or changing their job, there is no doubt that the uncertainty of COVID-19 and its related job losses led to employees voluntarily quitting. Most people haven’t voluntarily exited employment for retirement, but for other reasons. Many have quit when to opt for better opportunities, while others plan to start a new business. Also, employees who felt uncomfortable quitting their job to pursue their dream or spend time with their loved ones gather the courage to leave their demanding and tiring jobs.

Reasons for Great Resignation

Experts also indicate that the Great Resignation has also occurred due to several other reasons tied to the coronavirus crisis:

• COVID-19 has encouraged employees to re-evaluate their life priorities like giving time to their life.
• People also want to reduce their working hours to focus on other aspects of their life.
• After developing a vaccine, the ease of the COVID-19 crisis encourages employees to demand remote workers return to the office.Mistreatment by customers and employers amid the coronavirus outbreak pushed employees to leave their jobs.
• Many people quit because they couldn’t provide care for their children, as many schools started remote learning.
• The pandemic also makes people aware of the importance of family and friends, forcing them to leave their jobs.
• Several people left their jobs to move to peaceful locations and in bigger houses. COVID allowed people to understand the role of the environment in improving their mental health.

Why Many Workers Will Never Return to the Office?

While the Great Resignation has led to higher employment demand, many workers who have quit are not planning to return anytime soon. This doesn’t mean that they are not willing to work again. It simply means that they don’t want to work from an office. People have accepted virtual or remote working methods as well. They prefer remote work over in-house work. There are several reasons why workers love to work from home and are willing to leave their jobs just to work on their own terms. Some of the reasons why they prefer to work at home include:

Higher Productivity

People are quitting their jobs because they feel more productive at home. 67% of people who worked from home amid the pandemic saw their productivity boost considerably. While people are in their homes, there are fewer distractions. In the office they could have trouble with loud noises or talkative coworkers. Some companies also have allowed employees to work flexible hours. The flexible hours meant that employees could choose any time of the day to work, allowing them to work when they’re the most productive. That leads us to the million-dollar question. If employees are more productive at home, then why are employers demanding them to return to the office? Since employees don’t have satisfying answers, many people have changed their jobs, leading to the Great Resignation.

Concerns about Virus Exposure

People have spent most of their time in their houses for the last two years. In the meantime, we have increased the use of masks and sanitizers, got vaccinated, and tried our best not to leave the house except for emergencies. Now, employees are concerned about stepping outside their houses and working in between hundreds of other employees. They worry about their health and safety and worry about getting exposed to the virus. While most people are fully vaccinated, there is still a risk of contracting the virus. So, it is challenging for people to forget the pain and troubles the virus brought on them in the last few years. Therefore, employees prefer to work from their homes instead of coming to the office.

Higher Comfort

Employees have witnessed the comfort of working from home. They love the idea of setting their own workstation in their little corner of the house that can fit all of their essentials. Not to mention, employees don’t have to worry about getting ready for the office or wearing something specific. They don’t have any restrictions on how they should work. In fact, you can work while sitting in your garden, in a coffee shop, or in a park. Hence, employees can easily work while wearing whatever they want and sitting wherever they want. The only rule they have to follow is getting their work completed in accordance with the company’s policy. This way of working encourages employees to continue working from home instead of their offices.

Flexibility

The reason for opting for remote working is not all about productivity. Some people prefer to work from home because of the flexibility it offers, which include different tasks and activities. For instance, some people take a nap or exercise during the day. These activities help them take a break or keep them active throughout the day. Some even like the idea of watching their favorite show while working on their assignment. They might even listen to music, podcasts, watch T.V., or movies. This keeps them motivated and fresh while working. Surprisingly, many employees don’t want to return to the office, and would instead like to stay home with their pets. In 2020, during the lockdown, the U.S. saw a rise in pet adoption. People working from home wanted a companion to keep them company, ensuring that they don’t get depressed. While the pandemic has ended, people don’t want their pets to feel alone and experience separation anxiety. Furthermore, since many educational institutions remain closed, Moms need remote jobs to also care for their children. They have switched to jobs that allow them to work from home and choose their hours.

Bottom Line

So, now you know why people prefer to work from home instead of returning to their offices. The high comfort and flexibility leads to a boost in productivity and allows them to spend more time with family and friends. If you don’t want your children or pets to stay alone in their house or you don’t want to go back to a dull working environment, working from home is a great option.