Is working from home better than working from an office?

A mix of working from home and the office is the best for productivity

Question: Is working from home better than working from an office?
Position‹3 of 3: A balance of working at home and the office is best
Argument: A mix of working from home and the office is the best for productivity

Creating a hybrid schedule where employees will be granted the flexibility to work between home and the office will maximize productivity and motivation while allowing people to maintain face to face communication with coworkers.

The argument

This argument holds that the choice between home and office is a false one, and that a company gets the best results from an arrangement that includes both. The advantages claimed for home working are real but partial. A hybrid arrangement gives people the flexibility to complete their work around their own schedule rather than following strict office hours. It also widens the field of candidates: hiring a combination of remote and in-person employees expands the potential talent pool beyond those who live within commuting distance of a single site. The advantages of the office are equally real, and they are what pure remote working sacrifices. Blending telecommuting with in-person work eliminates the isolation and loneliness that people who work entirely from home can feel, because they are still travelling to the office and communicating directly with colleagues. In-person interaction also builds teamwork skills and expands knowledge. The case for the mix is that these two sets of benefits are not in competition. Flexibility comes from the home side of the arrangement and contact and collaboration from the office side, and neither has to be traded away to secure the other. An employer choosing one model exclusively forfeits half of what is available, whereas having employees both work from home and commute to the office earns a company the benefits of both. The effect on the employee runs the same way. Under a hybrid arrangement people have more flexibility in how they work while continuing to socialise and converse with coworkers on a regular basis. Because a mix of working from home and the office is best for productivity, a balance of the two is best.

Premises

[P1]A hybrid arrangement gives employees flexibility to work around their schedules and expands the company's potential talent pool. [P2] Still travelling to the office eliminates the isolation of working from home and builds teamwork through in-person interaction. [P3] Combining home and office work thus earns a company the benefits of both. [C] Therefore, because a mix of working from home and the office is best for productivity, a balance of the two is best.

Counter-arguments

Having a hybrid work environment creates inequality among employees. Remote employees have more flexibility and time when working, which can create a gap in work performance when compared to office workers. Communication with office and remote workers can be challenging because some are relying on technology, while others have the luxury of face-to-face conversations.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P3] A hybrid work will create inequality among employees.

Framing

Having a blend of working from home and the office will bring out the best of both scenarios.