CII-FMS report claims: Work from home has many benefits but challenges are also not less

Working from home (WFH) allows employees to save money on rent, reduce the stress of commuting, and increase their productivity, but it also hampers teamwork and effective communication. This has been said in a report.

The report of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CIA) and the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) shows that working from home has brought many benefits, but it also poses some significant challenges for both employers and employees. According to the study, working from home has reduced the cost of organizations and employees. The report states, "Work from home has not only saved employees' commuting time and cost but has also allowed them to live in more affordable areas.

The report, however, also points out the disadvantages of working from home. According to it, the lack of physical contact has hindered collaboration among employees, which is essential for building trust and resolving complex problems.

It reports that for organizations, remote and hybrid models of working have brought small savings in office rents and costs associated with client meetings. Further, a reduction in employee commuting and living costs has thus enabled limited adjustment to employee compensation structures. All these cost savings taken together put employers and employees in an improved financial position.

It also warns that working from home practice challenges the development and maintenance of an organization's culture, and over time it can influence the creation of social, emotional, and human capital relevant to long-term organizational success. While there is some short-term gain from remote working, organizations and employees should not be complicit in possible intangible losses in the longer run." According to the report, balancing flexibility with opportunities for collaboration and interaction could be the way to make remote working sustainable in the long term.