Question

Give me an example of a foreseeable and an unforeseeable consequence to changing work to a primarily "Work from home" operation

Answer 1

Answer:

Changing work to a primarily "Work from home" operation

Traditional business operation are executed from typical office space; be it corporate office, branch/service office or even factory/work office. In this setting, the employer provides the office space and the employees work at the said premises, by commuting from their respective residence. Apart from, few exceptions, most of the activities have been office based till date, unless the existence of COVID’19, which has forced many business entities to implement the work from home system.

For obvious reasons, the transition would not be easier one. As such the existing system (work in office) supports various inter-dependent functions could be easily coordinated. The greatest advantage of this system has been, ensuring highly interactive environment where all necessary supports are available under a single roof, i.e. employees/work force get all the required elements together. The face to face discussion, especially for brainstorming/problem solving has hardly any substitute. By changing the working style into work from home, makes the employees isolated at their respective corners of their residence. There would be obviously more inertia at the beginning, which could be eased off gradually. Let’s try to find out major consequences.

Foreseeable consequence:

Increased digital dependency:

The change of work from home will compel each and every person to use digital support at its height, in terms of data transfer, audio/video call, supported by computers, smart phone and key infrastructure would be high speed internet. People have to be tech savvy, otherwise, they would feed less confident/uncomfortable and finally lost in their work. Electronic mail exchange and documentation would be much more. For example, paperless system has to be implemented, the designated officials would have to use digital signature to validate any document.

Unforeseeable consequence:

Mental adjustment (change of working habits)and effect on individual productivity:

The change will also require immense adjustment of working habits. For many, working at home at short term could be okay. However, it may be stressful if it has to be continued on long-term basis. One major advantage of office is also that it protects the workforce from distraction, whereby people can properly concentrate in their work and discipline is maintained. Whereas in ‘work from home’ mode, people have to be much more matured and focused to maintain same level of productivity as the discipline would be less and therefore, it would have more chance to get distracted from the work. The mental adjustment to this new environment is never easy and its real effect would be known only after significant time.