Boots, Barclays and Deutsche Bank are just some of the companies that have announced back to office mandates for UK staff in 2024. If big-name employers are abandoning homeworking in favour of in-person interaction, what does that mean for the future of remote work? Here, Kristian Torode, Director and Co-founder of communication technology, Crystaline, explores this question.
Before the pandemic, traditional office-based work models dominated the corporate landscape. Employees commuted to offices, worked at their desks, primarily interacted face-to-face and often relied on in-person meetings. This model had its limitations, including long commutes, rigid schedules and potential constraints on work/life balance.
However, according to the UK government’s Office for National Statistics’ latest survey of employed adults who had worked between May 22 to June 2, 2024, 12% indicated that they exclusively worked from home. Meanwhile 28% revealed a combination of working from home and commuting to their workplace during the same period.
The end of remote?
Although the pandemic forced a seismic shift, ushering in widespread remote work as organisations adapted to lockdowns and social distancing, the new numbers stand in opposition to numbers recorded in the previous years. The highest levels of remote work, with 49% of the employed population indicating that they had engaged in remote work within the preceding week, were observed during the initial half of 2020.
Ironically, even Zoom, the remote work forerunner and enabler, rolled out a new hybrid work approach in late 2023, meaning employees close to an office will be asked to be on-site two days a week. By doing this, Zoom hoped to strike a balance between in-person collaboration and the benefits of remote work. So, how will it continue and what do you need to do to keep your employees happy?
Remote work has proven to enhance employee autonomy, reduce commutes and open opportunities for a more diverse talent pool. However, in-person interactions foster creativity, mentorship, and team cohesion, which are vital for innovation and growth.
Catering to a transgenerational workforce within a hybrid work model has its challenges. Businesses require a communication system that prioritises adaptability, empowering employees to engage across various channels seamlessly while transitioning effortlessly between the office and their homes. Therefore, Unified Communications (UC) and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as offered by Crystaline may be a good solution.
UC – a hybrid tech hero
UC integrates various communication channels such as instant messaging, video conferencing and email into a cohesive platform. This technology enables seamless collaboration regardless of employees’ physical locations, promoting effective communication and teamwork.
VoIP, a cornerstone of UC, allows voice calls to be transmitted over the Internet instead of traditional phone lines. This technology not only reduces communication costs but also supports mobility and flexibility, aligning with the remote and hybrid work models. This encompasses a spectrum, ranging from a single application on a computer to a sophisticated UC implementation spanning office handsets, desktop and laptop computers and mobile devices. By adopting VoIP, companies not only stay ahead of the impending Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch-off but also leverage its capacity to unite diverse communication tools within a cohesive platform, thereby empowering businesses to craft a comprehensive communication strategy catering to all workforce segments.
Ultimately, there is no need to follow in the footsteps of Boots and Barclays. Allow your employees to work however they prefer. After all, as businesses embrace new communication technologies, the era of UC dawns, promising a future where clarity and connectivity converge to drive productivity and growth. Its seamless integration with existing infrastructure ensures simplicity while offering a dependable service that enhances company efficiency and employee flexibility, effectively connecting the dots between the office, home and global locations. Remote will never have to become extinct if the right tools are in place.