Remote-First: The Hybrid Balance

While here at Eliatra the team is very happy working remotely, we are all aware that this is not for everyone, and it is an ongoing point for discussion. Meetups at conferences and onsite meetings do occur, shifting from remote-only more towards remote-first but the idea of hybrid work, with two or three days in a shared office space will not likely be a part of Eliatra.

There is plenty of new journalism regarding hybrid work as an ongoing experiment or the idea that people can simply not go back to the office etiquette that was so normal pre-pandemic. Some people are happy to be back in the shared office space provided by their employer; There are people to talk to, and hot coffee to share and meetings in person are simply different than on zoom.

There are adjustment pains though; At home, it was perfectly acceptable to what pyjamas, we all forgot the long commute is both expensive and exhausting and when I arrive at the office I need an hour to finally get in the zone to actually start working. Small talk is now clumsy and broken, physical contact is questioned, should we elbow bump or hug or leave it all out entirely as we do with the handshake and this all comes before we even acknowledge the rise in social anxiety.

Having a separate place for work can be motivating for many, as the washing and dishes simply not being there are different. A good environment can inspire us all, and the team connection in person is often stronger than purely virtual, or all would agree that it is at least different. There is the sociability aspect of the office, of course, the routine that fuels many and the basic act of leaving the house every day. The office provides variety, in-person conversations and spontaneous interactions that zoom just can’t compete with.

As some workers want to be remote and others insist on a traditional office, in comes the hybrid. This of course has many forms, is the whole company in the office two days a week or is it simply an option and employees may come and go as they please? This of course will vary greatly on the individual companies and team structures, and maybe even seasonally.

One thing everyone can agree on is that this will be an ongoing topic.

To explore more of our take on Remote-First, check out our other articles: