Why tech companies need to embrace remote work, not mandate office returns

Remote, hybrid, or back to the office full-time? That’s the debate that’s been rumbling on since pandemic lockdown restrictions started to lift, with strong opinions and advocates on either side of the argument.

This debate has been reignited once again, with many large-scale tech companies ordering workers back to the office on a full-time basis – extolling the benefits of collaboration and connection to drive innovation and productivity.

This argument is true to a point. Collaboration in-person and connection with team members is, of course, important to develop and invent new products and services. However, it doesn’t mean that this is only achieved by returning to pre-pandemic ways of working.

While every company is different, the pandemic forced us to fundamentally change and reevaluate the way we work – in many cases for the better. There’s a greater appreciation for work/life balance, and an understanding that what a company builds is more important than where it’s built.

In this piece, I’ll explore the myths that many businesses use to justify a full-time return to the office, the benefits of an open work policy, and why the future of tech will require some degree of flexibility.

Myth: Remote work damages employee productivity

A common argument for return-to-office mandates is the potential impact of working from home on employee productivity. Many business leaders believe that employees are more distracted at home, and that office work and in-person meetings lead to greater efficiency and creativity. However, businesses must remember what you build is more important than how you build it, suggesting that the quality and outcomes of work should take precedence over the specific methods or locations of work.

However, research contradicts this theory, with 59% of UK workers reporting increased productivity when working remotely. Employees are not just surviving; they are thriving. The flexibility and autonomy of remote work have enhanced work-life balance for many, resulting in…