4 answers
damien
Student
Sedro-Woolley, Washington
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What are the challenges and rewards of working in an office?
Office Administration Student
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4 answers
Robert Fernandez
Business Owner / CEO - Web Consulting Firm
20
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Hi Damien, that's a great question. Although the answer to this question is quite complex, as there are a lot of variables involved. I'll try my best to cover the challenges and rewards based on my own experience. Starting with the challenges, I would say it can often times be difficult just getting out of bed in the morning, getting ready and driving to your workplace. Now that last part can be especially difficult if your workplace is far from your home and the commute involves a lot of traffic. Another challenge can be the interaction with other co-workers, whether it's working on the same projects/tasks or just having to be around them throughout the day. Lastly, I would say having to sit a desk or cubicle, especially if you're being heavily monitored, can be very excruciating versus being able to work from the comfort of your home.
The benefits of being in the workplace, at least for me, has definitely been the relationships and friendships you build. I've been able to maintain some of my relationships from previous jobs for literally decades. Another benefit is being able to get out of the confines of your own home and "get out into the world". Sometimes being at home all day, all week, can be overwhelming and you can feel very isolated. If you're working on tasks/projects with other members of a team, then being around them in person can often times be more efficient in terms of communication and completing the task in a more timely manner. Ultimately though, many of the benefits or disadvantages of working in an office will come down to the company itself and the "company culture" they've curated. That, along with company policies and perks, will also help dictate how enjoyable the situation can be. Hope that helps!
The benefits of being in the workplace, at least for me, has definitely been the relationships and friendships you build. I've been able to maintain some of my relationships from previous jobs for literally decades. Another benefit is being able to get out of the confines of your own home and "get out into the world". Sometimes being at home all day, all week, can be overwhelming and you can feel very isolated. If you're working on tasks/projects with other members of a team, then being around them in person can often times be more efficient in terms of communication and completing the task in a more timely manner. Ultimately though, many of the benefits or disadvantages of working in an office will come down to the company itself and the "company culture" they've curated. That, along with company policies and perks, will also help dictate how enjoyable the situation can be. Hope that helps!
Loved reading this, thanks!
damien
Tracy DeLeon
Corporate Training
6
Answers
Vallejo, California
Updated
Tracy’s Answer
For me it was about being able to observe how people interact in non verbal ways and to be able to move out of my home space to another space where I could broaden my connection to others and see how others are living their lives. There is so much that can be learned through observation alone. I was able to see what others were wearing, how they carried themselves when interacting with others, how they moved about doing their day to day job. I could see the emotions that people carried on their faces and in their body posture. None of this is really communicated accurately via speech, in my opinion. Now, I work remotely at home and I LOVE IT and don't really need the in office experience, but I really did need it when I was younger and eager to learn about people and the world around me. Now, I am winding down in my career and getting ready for retirement. I hope this personal insight from me helps!
Thank you so much for the advice.
damien
Mary Ann Higgs
Communications, Training, and People Development
33
Answers
Hayward, California
Updated
Mary Ann’s Answer
I'm fortunate that I get the best of both worlds. Most days I work from home, but I have the opportunity to go into an office whenever I want.
The things I love about working in an office are:
1. I get to interact with my co-workers on a personal and professional level and build relationships. All jobs require you to complete tasks, work on projects, etc, but it's usually the people you work with that make a job fun. Being in the same physical space makes it easier to get to know people and build relationships and for me, that makes work fun.
2. I learn things easier when in an office. What I mean by this is that if I have a question about something, I can easily turn to a co-worker and just ask. Or, when I'm in the kitchen getting something to drink, I overhear what others are talking about and I learn what is happening in other parts of the company. I didn't realize how much I learned by just observing and overhearing what was going on in the office until I joined a company during the pandemic. I found I was struggling to understand who to call for certain questions and while my team was great, I only know what was happening in my part of the company (IT). I didn't know what was happening in Sales, or what new products were coming out, of what Company events were coming up. Being fully remote made it harder for me to connect to all parts of the Company.
3. Being in the office, work takes on a different kind of energy. Kind of a positive buzz. People feed off each other's energy, share ideas, and come up with new ideas that I would likely not have thought of if I was home, by myself. Collaboration and brainstorming is definitely easier and more fun when everybody is in the same room.
4. There are resources in the office that you don't have at home. Conference rooms for meeting with groups. Whiteboards for collaborating with others or mapping out projects/ideas, printers/copy machines if you working on paper is your thing.
5. The social aspect of work - Going to lunch with friends in the middle of the day or taking a walk to grab a cup of coffee or a boba to give yourself a break.
The challenges of working in an office are:
1. People often interrupt your work with questions. The say, "do you have time for a quick question?" And while the question was quick, sometimes the answer is really long and that can eat up part of your day.
2. Finding a quiet place to focus on a complex topic can be challenging.
3. Commuting to and from the office can be challenging depending on how far you are from work
The things I love about working in an office are:
1. I get to interact with my co-workers on a personal and professional level and build relationships. All jobs require you to complete tasks, work on projects, etc, but it's usually the people you work with that make a job fun. Being in the same physical space makes it easier to get to know people and build relationships and for me, that makes work fun.
2. I learn things easier when in an office. What I mean by this is that if I have a question about something, I can easily turn to a co-worker and just ask. Or, when I'm in the kitchen getting something to drink, I overhear what others are talking about and I learn what is happening in other parts of the company. I didn't realize how much I learned by just observing and overhearing what was going on in the office until I joined a company during the pandemic. I found I was struggling to understand who to call for certain questions and while my team was great, I only know what was happening in my part of the company (IT). I didn't know what was happening in Sales, or what new products were coming out, of what Company events were coming up. Being fully remote made it harder for me to connect to all parts of the Company.
3. Being in the office, work takes on a different kind of energy. Kind of a positive buzz. People feed off each other's energy, share ideas, and come up with new ideas that I would likely not have thought of if I was home, by myself. Collaboration and brainstorming is definitely easier and more fun when everybody is in the same room.
4. There are resources in the office that you don't have at home. Conference rooms for meeting with groups. Whiteboards for collaborating with others or mapping out projects/ideas, printers/copy machines if you working on paper is your thing.
5. The social aspect of work - Going to lunch with friends in the middle of the day or taking a walk to grab a cup of coffee or a boba to give yourself a break.
The challenges of working in an office are:
1. People often interrupt your work with questions. The say, "do you have time for a quick question?" And while the question was quick, sometimes the answer is really long and that can eat up part of your day.
2. Finding a quiet place to focus on a complex topic can be challenging.
3. Commuting to and from the office can be challenging depending on how far you are from work
I'm excited to put your great advice to good use!
damien
Abhaya Shetty
Solicitor
2
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Abhaya’s Answer
Hello Damien,
Whether you're working from a cozy home office or a bustling corporate setting, each has its unique set of pros and cons. Since you're interested in the in-office setting, let's take a look at that:
On the bright side (let's kick off with the good stuff):
- Teamwork - The office environment allows you to easily approach someone for a quick brainstorming session, ask for or offer assistance, or even enjoy a casual chat with co-workers. It's a great place to build a strong team spirit in no time.
- Structure - With fixed working hours (give or take), your workday has a clear structure, providing you with a sense of routine.
- Handy resources - All the ICT equipment, stationery, and other work-related tools are at your fingertips, ready to be used.
- Socializing - The journey to and from work, as well as the office itself, provide ample opportunities to meet new people. As social creatures, these interactions can help us forge connections and nurture relationships.
On the flip side, there are some challenges:
- Distractions - Especially in an open office layout, keeping your concentration can be tricky with people moving about, chatting, or on calls. This could potentially affect your productivity.
- Commuting - Traveling to and from work can be tiring and time-consuming, whether you're using public transport or driving. The time spent commuting often feels wasted.
- Office Atmosphere - If the office has a complex dynamic (think office politics), it can be tough to navigate and may result in stress.
- Limited flexibility - Fixed office hours mean you'll spend a chunk of your day commuting and working, and you might even have to bring some work home with you.
I hope this gives you a clearer picture!
Whether you're working from a cozy home office or a bustling corporate setting, each has its unique set of pros and cons. Since you're interested in the in-office setting, let's take a look at that:
On the bright side (let's kick off with the good stuff):
- Teamwork - The office environment allows you to easily approach someone for a quick brainstorming session, ask for or offer assistance, or even enjoy a casual chat with co-workers. It's a great place to build a strong team spirit in no time.
- Structure - With fixed working hours (give or take), your workday has a clear structure, providing you with a sense of routine.
- Handy resources - All the ICT equipment, stationery, and other work-related tools are at your fingertips, ready to be used.
- Socializing - The journey to and from work, as well as the office itself, provide ample opportunities to meet new people. As social creatures, these interactions can help us forge connections and nurture relationships.
On the flip side, there are some challenges:
- Distractions - Especially in an open office layout, keeping your concentration can be tricky with people moving about, chatting, or on calls. This could potentially affect your productivity.
- Commuting - Traveling to and from work can be tiring and time-consuming, whether you're using public transport or driving. The time spent commuting often feels wasted.
- Office Atmosphere - If the office has a complex dynamic (think office politics), it can be tough to navigate and may result in stress.
- Limited flexibility - Fixed office hours mean you'll spend a chunk of your day commuting and working, and you might even have to bring some work home with you.
I hope this gives you a clearer picture!
Thank you so much!
damien