For many people, working from home just isn’t working. Family distractions, inadequate space and shaky WiFi are just some of the reasons people are eagerly heading back to the office.
But getting to work on public transport is still a problem — and that’s why many are now seeking to WNH (Work Near Home) instead of WFH (Work From Home).
Some office companies are offering a solution in the form of a ‘hub and spoke’ approach. It allows companies to decentralize their teams and place them in multiple office locations, enabling physical distancing as well as shorter commutes.
It also enables the physical connections that can promote a sense of wellbeing and greater productivity.
Sharon Bachar, head of people EMEA at WeWork, says we are facing “a pandemic of loneliness” owing to work from home guidelines.
“At the beginning, people were very excited to be working from home. Over time it has become pretty clear to us that most people actually crave that sense of belonging – that engagement and ability to connect, see and talk to each other.
“We are social animals, we crave interaction – we need it both for our survival and for our mental health.”