Return to office: what’s this obsession with collaboration

[Lantern12]

More of a rant than anything else, but wondered if others felt the same!

More and more companies seem to be pushing a return to office now (including my own, so I am biased) and the narrative it always the same - mostly that we “collaborate” and build relationships better in person. Is this actually true? Is there any evidence for this?

Some of the strongest relationships I’ve built in my career (clients and colleagues) have been forged over video calls. I find it a lot easier to speak to people 1:1 from a private space than on an open office floor where I feel everyone is overhearing my conversations, and I appreciate the peace and quiet between calls. I also come up with all my best ideas sat quietly thinking about things, never sat in a meeting room with others.

When leaders insist we build relationships and collaborate better in person I think “who are you to tell me how I work best?”. Maybe for them the buzz of an office helps them, but they can’t just insist this is the case for everyone.

Who’s with me on this?!

How is that possible? Didn't she ever video call them?

I started at my current company the week after the first lockdown, so I don't see anyone in person for absolutely ages. But it was still easy to recognise them when I did eventually meet them face to face. And I work in a big office, so it's not like it's easy to find people - but I could easily walk around and recognise them in amongst all the people I'd never spoken to.

I am not going comment too specifically on the WFH vs in the office debate, because being retired I don't have a horse in the race. I just want to give an example.

I was responsible for compiling a return to a major national funder. It helped us get a large sum of money but wasn't the core of the wider organisation's business. To do this, I was very much dependent on our finance service. The first year I did it was a bit a frustrating as I wasn't getting much co-operation from finance. Then we had an office move into the same building as finance and shared a kitchen area.

That year, after friendly chat with members of the finance team whilst making a brew in the kitchent over the year, my job was much easier. By the following year, the relevant finance people were coming to me with ideas on how we could streamline the process and capture more information . You get the picture.

These were people who, if I'd WFH I would have never have been involved with apart from the occasional email.

I completely understand why WFH is a very sensible idea. But having had most of my career in the office I can see the benefits of being in the office. I also have very strong concerns about young people, new to the working world, not learning from being around others.

@LostGhost I agree about too cold! Tomorrow is the start of me having to be in 3 days a week and I'm mainly annoyed about the fact that it's absolutely bloody freezing all year round in our office.

When we were all the office everyday then yes it is. However only going in once or twice a week isn't the same. Especially when other departments aren't in on those days.

Mostly we all sit having our headphones on in meetings because the other people we are meeting with aren't in the office. It kinda seems pointless sometimes and some days I've hardly spoken to anyone in person. I also finish early to pick the kids up from school and I'm only in the office 5hrs once a week a total tick box exercise. Especially in summer holidays I can't go in the days my team does so I'm mostly sat by myself with none of my team or the wider dept in.

I'd almost prefer to just go in one day per month or once a fortnight and block out the diary to have some time together as a team.

Hard agree. I feel much more myself when able to talk to people in small bursts and not having to ‘be on’ for 8 hours, which exhausts me.

@ohtowinthelottery how do you Facebook stalk someone whose name you don’t know that you see on a cafe? Please answer

I was responsible for compiling a return to a major national funder. It helped us get a large sum of money but wasn't the core of the wider organisation's business. To do this, I was very much dependent on our finance service. The first year I did it was a bit a frustrating as I wasn't getting much co-operation from finance. Then we had an office move into the same building as finance and shared a kitchen area.
That year, after friendly chat with members of the finance team whilst making a brew in the kitchent over the year, my job was much easier. By the following year, the relevant finance people were coming to me with ideas on how we could streamline the process and capture more information . You get the picture.

this was a benefit for your employer though - was it a benefit to you too? You personally, not career wise - as that too would ultimately be an employer benefit

Hard disagree. I'm not against hybrid working but it's incredibly hard to build human relationships in a remote working environment.

I don't see why childcare responsibilities counts as a reason for refusing to go into the office. Why is that the company's problem?

Surely you've just totally contradicted yourself here🤔

Thanks all, lots of replies from people both sides of the fence!

The range of responses kind of proves my point. I don’t disagree that many people find it easier to collaborate and build relationships in the office. The point I’m making is the narrative is that everyone finds this easier in the office, but they don’t! It depends on your role, personality, commute, life circumstances like caring commitments or disabilities.

Those with a preference for remote working aren’t necessarily going to strike up a conversation with a stranger at the coffee machine. They may find it easier to contribute in virtual meetings. Some junior people might find it easier to ask questions over Chat / email.

I think leaders are making the mistake of assuming that what helped them do well at work is what helps everyone. The consequence is reproducing inequality and a step backwards for diversity and inclusion.

Your commute is nothing to do with your employer. That’s your choice. They do have the right to say they want to uphold your contract regarding where you work but most employers are agreeing to hybrid working where possible. Maybe we should be grateful Surgeons still turn up to work.

Many of us don’t receive good service from companies and I think we know uk productivity isn’t great. Not that it’s all the fault of WFH but it is the fault of management that doesn’t manage.

I have to agree with you completely op. I’ve been fully remote (and in my contracts) since before Covid. I’m far more productive working like this and my clients appreciate this. Having the peace and quiet to think instead of a noisy open plan office makes a huge difference in my line of work. I far prefer teams meetings to office ones as well, we can screen share, demonstrate and discuss work (and therefore collaborate) far easier on teams to a large audience than we can sitting in a meeting room.

I sit in the office alone two days a week having the same zoom calls I do at home. My team is spread countrywide from Inverness to Portsmouth. I have to get up 2 hours earlier and get the train into my nearest city siding a fortune for the privilege.

My husband and I both got really ill back at the start of December, I had pneumonia. If I hadn’t needed to go into the office I’d pick up less illnesses. I noticed during lockdown I was rarely ill, went back to office 3 days a week in 2022 and caught Covid and norovirus twice.

If you are just talking about administrators talking to other administrators working from home it works to a fashion although some people work well like that and other's don't. If you are dealing with production, engineering and things that involve actual physical work you need to be there to supervise, discuss, physically look at things, make on the spot decisions.

When I hear about these 'conversations around the printer' I think who on earth still prints things out multiple times a day, let alone have offices full of people doing it such that you'd meet anyone by chance at the printer!

Clearly if we all sat at home in hermetically sealed houses we'd get ill less. But was this something you worried about before Covid?

Interacting with other human beings in a workplace is not a crazy new concept and it's part of what we get paid to do.

I've had a remote team for years. One of whom I've been working with for over 5 years, I know his family, we chat about our personal lives, share photo's, we might have never met, but I honestly can't see it's hindered our relationship.

In terms of loyalty, a sure fire way to acheive that is to simply treat your employees well, provide flexibility, support, benefits and work/life balance.

It appears to be working very well for this large employer in the software industry.

"and we have more parents who can fit work around childcare."

And there, I suspect, is the nub of it.

Collaboration but also let’s not forget that every company will have new employees at some point. There’s nothing worse than starting at a new place and not having the chance to really get to know your co-workers. Im not saying to be best friends but some basic interaction is important.
Personally, I work in the office two days a week—my last job was three days a week—and I’ve found that to be the perfect balance.

Of course, everyone’s situation is different, but I couldn’t handle being stuck at home five days a week with minimal human interaction and in definitely not an extrovert either. Since I’m working and tied to my desk, it’s not like you can get up, move a little( apart of going to the kitchen and toilet) or even talk to someone. I’m sure everyone had situation when they need to find out something quick or ask a question - you can’t do that online as no one is bothered to read their bloody messages and take ages to respond. It’s easier to swing your chair around…. The office provided that much needed interaction.

Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if some sort of social study revealed that complete isolation at home isn’t healthy in the long term. Having that mix of in-office and remote work is a privilege, and I’m just grateful I don’t have to commute five days a week!

But work isn't about what is easier or more convenient for people - it's a contract between your employer and you to deliver certain objectives to set contractual conditions, in exchange for a pay cheque.

I think this is where it's all getting confused - just because someone is introverted and finds it harder in the office it doesn't mean that's the employer's problem to solve.

I think millions of people are struggling to adapt back to life post-COVID and are finding lots of reasons why it's suddenly a really bad idea to be expected to be in the office.

I do sympathise for those whose employers in office based jobs are demanding most/all days to now be in the office, but most I know of are asking for no more than 2 or 3. This would have been considered a dream scenario pre-COVID - I managed to negotiate two days a week from home with my last job and that was seen as being a luxury!

I still think while many people are more productive at home, there are some that are taking employers for a ride and their employers think they may need to be monitored.
As stated on MN, people rush round and do housework in their lunch break. Surely the lunch break is for eating your lunch and having a break? While people hang their washing out before work, when it rains they get it in regardless of whether they are working or not. People work at home and look after children at the same time.

And there was a whole thread of people on here recently who were outraged at the very idea of a manager scheduling a Teams meeting at 9am because "that's when everyone's on the school run."

After 5 years remote working I’m moving to a hybrid role later this year. I enjoy wfh but on a permanent basis it’s lost its appeal.

I've worked from home for 15 years and would never go back to an office.

I currently do once a month in the office for a team meeting and last time I was in someone insisted on having the radio on (which was blaring out right next two where I was sat), a group of 3 or 4 people sat almost constantly chatting and laughing, there were multiple teams calls happening simultaneously as there aren't enough meeting rooms so people have to do it open plan. And to top it all off the heating was broken so I was freezing.

I felt exhausted when I got home and had to spend the entire next day catching up on all the things I couldn't get done in the office.