Permanent home office? Opportunities and challenges for companies

The corona pandemic inevitably sent countless employees across Germany to work from home. Many discovered the advantages of working from home and no longer want to give it up. Companies have to rethink if they want to retain good employees

No going back to the past – commuters in particular benefit

According to Survey by the consulting company EY four out of five employees no longer want to return to the office permanently. 38 percent of those surveyed want to go to the office three to four times a week, 38 percent even only once or twice. Above all, the freer division of working hours and the elimination of daily commuting are assessed as positive about the home office.

The long journeys to work are a problem especially in the Munich region, as fewer and fewer people can afford the high rents in the Bavarian capital. If the daily trip to the office is largely eliminated, this allows a move to cheaper regions in the surrounding area, from which families in particular benefit twice: Children can develop better in their own garden, parents are more often at home. In addition, the home office is also an expression of trust for many employees: It shows that managers trust them and do not want to constantly monitor them in the office.

Big challenge for companies

The trend towards home office poses major challenges for companies in the region, but also offers opportunities. One of the challenges is, for example, recording working hours. After all, bosses and their teams no longer see each other in the hallway or in the open-plan office. Help here on the one hand digital time recording systems such as Timemasterthat are controlled via the cloud and the company server.

Employees can register from home or from their smartphones when working in the field. Direct communication is simplified by instant messenger systems such as Slack. Several employees can easily communicate with one another without repeatedly bothering each other at work with direct phone calls. Telephone conferences or video conferences are only called when necessary using tools such as Zoom. Of course, direct contact should not be missing: employees should come together for personal meetings in the office space at least once a week.

Another challenge is equipping the home office. During the Corona crisis, many people improvised in their own homes. Basically, however, the employer is obligated according to the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV)to ensure well-equipped home workplaces according to ergonomic standards and to pay for them financially.

Reduce costs by working from home

Of course, permanent home office also offers companies opportunities. On the one hand, there are more motivated and committed employees who appreciate the trust placed in them. On the other hand, the office space can be reduced if far fewer employees commute to the office. This reduces the burden of spending on the enormously high office rents in Munich.

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