The modern labor market is a field of constant transformations, where the two main formats — remote work and office — compete for superiority, adapting to new realities. We live in a time when terrible events are happening around us: pandemics, wars..; for us Ukrainians, the war with Russia poses new challenges every day. It all reshaped our ideas about safety, comfort and efficiency in the workplace.
Remote work
Remote work rapidly gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its most significant advantage — is the flexibility of the schedule and place of work. The ability to work from anywhere in the world allows you to adjust the working day to personal needs, travel, take care of children or combine work with study (very relevant among students).
For Ukrainians in wartime, most of them are the only opportunity to keep their jobs, remaining safe and, for example, to support their families from abroad.
Lack of daily commuting saves time and money that can be used for personal needs. Costs for transport, lunches outside the home, office clothes disappear, which is a significant advantage in conditions of economic instability.
Another significant plus is the expansion of employment opportunities, because spatial restrictions are disappearing, which allows young specialists to apply for vacancies in leading international companies, regardless of their physical location.
Working at home allows you to create the most comfortable and personalized working environment, choose comfortable clothes and take breaks of your own accord.
And, of course, for Ukrainians during the war, security is a vital opportunity to continue professional activities while in safer regions of the country or abroad, minimizing the risks associated with shelling.
Remote work also has significant disadvantages. One of the most serious is social isolation and lack of communication, namely lack of live communication with colleagues. This leads to a feeling of loneliness and leaves opportunities for informal exchange of experiences and ideas. For young people just starting to build their professional careers, this becomes an obstacle in forming valuable connections.
A person must be self-organized and motivated, that is, be able to effectively plan his time and working moments without succumbing to laziness.
By doing work remotely, young workers lack opportunities for rapid training and mentoring, which takes place in the office through observation of experienced colleagues and easy feedback.
Working remotely, you depend on technical points, that is, on a stable Internet connection, high-quality hardware and software, any technical failures make it difficult or impossible to work.
I think you'll agree how difficult it is to concentrate at home on work without being distracted by extraneous stimuli, especially if you don't have a separate workspace. You'll most likely choose a place that's convenient for you (for many, it's mostly a bed), in turn, it's tempting to put your computer down and go for a nap or flip through social media. Agree not very working vibe.
Office work
Despite the rapid growth in popularity of remote work, the office environment remains relevant.
Office — is not just a place to complete tasks, but also a space for live communication and team spirit. By interacting with colleagues, you socialize, this, in turn, contributes to the rapid exchange of ideas, brainstorming and building strong personal relationships.
The physical space of the office creates a psychological barrier between work and leisure. Coming to the office and returning home allow «to turn off» from work issues and take a full rest.
The Office provides access to resources and equipment. Companies provide employees with everything they need: equipment, software and a comfortable workplace.
The office environment offers opportunities for career advancement and learning. In the office, it is easier to get direct feedback, participate in internal trainings, workshops and find mentors. Informal learning and exchange of experience take place constantly.
Office work has its disadvantages. Travel time and costs, they exhaust and take up a significant part of personal time. In large cities, the problem of traffic jams is urgent, in which people can spend a lot of time, especially during peak times. Under martial law, the risks and the need to respond to air alarms are added.
Less flexibility is worth noting. Fixed hours of work and the lack of opportunity to work from anywhere are inconvenient for those who seek greater freedom and balance.
Some workers face potential distractions. Despite the fact that there is a temptation to rest and household chores at remote work, for some office workers, irritating factors that reduce concentration and productivity can be office noise, frequent meetings, interruptions from colleagues.
Hybrid model: A compromise for the future
Obviously, none of the formats are perfect. That is why the hybrid work model, which combines the advantages of remote and office employment, is gaining popularity. This allows employees to spend part of their office time and the other part of — to work remotely.
For Ukrainian youth, the hybrid model becomes the optimal solution. This approach promotes adaptability and sustainability, allows companies and their employees to function effectively even in difficult and unpredictable conditions.
