What Do People Miss Most About Office Work During COVID-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic completely upended traditional office work. Over the last two years tens of millions of employees transitioned to remote work as offices closed to curb the spread of the virus. While working from home certainly has its perks many people are starting to miss key aspects of pre-pandemic office life. As companies bring workers back, what exactly do employees miss most about being in the office?

The Social Connection of an Office

One of the most common things people miss about the office is the social interaction and connection with coworkers Humans are inherently social creatures, and working alongside others can fulfill our need for community According to a McKinsey survey, more than 60% of people reported feeling isolated and lacking companionship during the pandemic.

In the office, relationships are built through daily conversations by the coffee machine, quick chats in the halls, impromptu workspace drop-ins, and after-work happy hours. These social rituals make coworkers feel more like friends Remote work simply doesn’t provide the same level of personal connection

Emails and virtual meetings feel more transactional. Spontaneous social bonding rarely happens over Zoom. While companies tried virtual events and social hours, many report they just aren’t the same. For extroverted personalities especially, the isolation of full-time remote work has been difficult. After two years with limited contact, people genuinely miss seeing and interacting with their colleagues face-to-face.

The Routine and Structure of Office Life

Another thing some people miss about pre-pandemic office work is the routine it provided. Getting up and “going to work” created a clear separation between the professional and personal spheres. The structured schedule of office hours, meetings, and lunch breaks organized the day.

Remote work tends to blur the boundaries. Without commuting to an office, many find it harder to “leave work.” Bouncing between childcare, household chores, and work can become exhausting without clear physical separation. Some simply feel constant pressure to be “always on” when working from home.

Having a set place to go each morning provides mental structure that some people miss. Arriving at the office signals the start of the workday and leaving signals the end. For those who struggle to establish boundaries at home, the office’s physical routine was grounding. After two years blending home and work, many crave that sense of order again.

The Focus and Productivity of Offices

With hybrid schedules, some employees only go into offices a few days a week now. Many report they are significantly more focused and productive on those office days compared to when working remotely.

Being physically present in a dedicated work environment minimizes distractions for many. At home, children, pets, chores, and leisure activities compete for attention. In the office, workers are free from these disruptions. With fewer distractions, studies show office workers experience greater concentration, allowing them to get more done.

Office settings also provide access to resources not available remotely. Dual monitors, printers, whiteboards, and specialized equipment enable efficiency. Face-to-face meetings and quick questions for colleagues also help workers complete tasks faster. While remote work is suitable for some kinds of individual work, for collaborative group projects offices often prove optimal.

Promotions, Visibility, and Career Development

Some professionals – especially more junior employees – worry that lack of face time in the office will hurt their careers long-term. Out of sight can mean out of mind, especially for workers hoping to get noticed by higher-ups for raises or promotions.

In offices, managers visually see their team’s commitment and work ethic. It’s easier for them to identify and mentor high-potential employees they interact with regularly. Being physically present for meetings, events, and office socializing also increases visibility with leadership.

This is especially important for early-career professionals trying to build their brand and make an impression. Young workers miss the access to leaders, networking, and exposure the office environment brings. Many feel nervous about the impact on their career development and advancement during extended remote work.

Guidance, Mentorship, and Learning Opportunities

Related to career growth, newer employees often rely on in-person guidance from experienced team members. Watching colleagues handle situations in real-time provides invaluable learning. Impromptu training and mentorship arise through quick office questions or shoulder-to-shoulder collaboration.

Remote employees lose this onboarding advantage. Building skills and confidence through face-to-face interactions is tougher. Without office exposure, some younger workers feel they are missing out on absorbing tacit knowledge that would help them progress faster. Their biggest fear is stunted professional maturation.

Junior employees aren’t the only ones who benefit from office wisdom sharing. Workers at all levels pick up new approaches, technical know-how, institutional knowledge, and professional best practices from colleagues when together in person. This enhancement of skills through daily immersion alongside teammates is lacking remotely.

The Division Between Work and Home

Some remote workers miss the simple separation of work and personal life that offices provide. While working from home has benefits like flexibility and no commute, constantly staying in your own space can feel suffocating.

Having an office to go to demarcates the work domain from the home domain. At the end of the day, leaving the office provides psychological relief. When remote, many workers feel like they live at their job 24/7 with no escape. Some report increased burnout and lower work-life balance without a change of environment.

Offices also enable more ergonomic setups that support productivity and health. At home, slouching on the couch with a laptop can lead to strain. Well-designed offices with proper desks, chairs, and equipment prevent these issues. For those working remotely in small shared living spaces or with other distractions around, a dedicated workspace brings relief.

Collaborating and Brainstorming With Colleagues

While video calls enable basic communication, collaboration just isn’t the same virtually. Creative brainstorming, whiteboard sessions, impromptu team huddles, and probing in-depth discussion often suffer remote.

In offices, it’s easier for groups to riff off each other in energetic spaces designed for collaboration. body language and facial cues lead to clearer, richer communication. Environments influence mindsets – and some report more innovative, outside-the-box thinking occurs when together with others.

The office better enables reading teammates’ reactions in real-time and adjusting accordingly. Serendipitous bump-ins between colleagues across departments can also spark fruitful idea sharing. For work involving complex coordination or conceptualization, offices reign supreme over video calls.

While remote work will likely continue post-pandemic, it’s clear many employees still highly value traditional offices. The social bonds, structure, career opportunities, and collaboration offices enable are hard to completely replicate virtually. However, offices may need to adapt more flexible, employee-centric designs to attract talent going forward. By understanding what people miss, companies can craft healthier, engaging workspaces for the future.