The Past 2 years

It has been nearly 2.5 years since the work-from-home option started in the IT industry. This model of work option added a new dimension to the working style of the professionals. Never before has such a drastic change happened to the life of an IT professional. Before this work-from-home option came into existence on a large scale, there was always a concern from the management and employees on whether they would be able to balance their work and life. This work-life balance was a common question asked in various forums. We hear many people complain about this imbalance in their work and life. As a result, we also see a few people resign from the company just because they were unable to take their work and life forward together. The situation has now changed.

Positive Parenting

Many employees who had the responsibility to look after their family members, especially their children, heaved a sigh of relief when the work-from-home option came into existence. The children also became lucky to receive love, care and attention from their parents during this period. To some extent, this was missing from the working parents prior to the pandemic scenario. It is said that the behavior, thought process and education of a child begin at home. Parents working from home got the opportunity to interact and focus on the behavior, studies and food habits of their child. The parents were able to take the necessary steps to give their best to their children. I am a father to a 6-year-old loving daughter who is in her 1st standard. From the day she remembers, she was able to see the presence of her mother and father at home. Even though I and my wife are Software Professionals and have tight schedules at work, we were able to take breaks in between, spend some time and focus on the daily activities of our child. 

Supporting our Parents

Apart from that, there are many employees who have parents who are aging and who need that extra care and support. The routine medical checkup of these parents also needs to be taken care of periodically. The work-from-home option provided an opportunity for these employees to also focus on the health and well-being of their depending parents. My father got affected by a brain stroke 1 year back. This was the 2nd time that he had to face this particular health condition. The previous time that he faced, he was able to recover in some days time after being in the ICU. This time, however, he was not able to recover and be the same person that he used to be. 1 year has now passed. He lost the ability to walk independently and also to talk fluently. His thought patterns have also changed in a wavering manner. He couldn't recollect certain incidents that happened in his life. We were told by the doctors that his recovery could take some time. All that we need to ensure is that he receives this medication on time daily and to support him mentally and physically on his daily needs. The work-from-home option helped me to visit my native place frequently and look into my father's needs and address some of the problems that he was facing. My mother was also not able to go outside for specific needs during this time as she was completely engaged with looking after my father. To support her, during my visit to my native, I take the responsibility to complete certain tasks like going to the bank, purchasing grocery items, and paying certain bills that she needs to take care of for the family.

Hybrid Model

Many companies have recently started to move to the Hybrid Model of work where employees need to work from the office for 2 or 3 days every week. TCS was among the first companies to announce this new model of work. Other IT Majors like Wipro, Infosys, and Cognizant also conveyed that they would also gradually shift to the Hybrid model of work. This hybrid model of work is a welcoming change for many employees. It helps an employee to focus on their work, interact with their teammates and friends and at the same time also be with their family members on some days. There would also be a better plan and discipline in the life of an employee in such a situation. The employee would be able to focus and complete his deliverables on time and at the same time look after his life in a better way. Many times we hear the voice of our teammates through meetings and calls. Since we haven't got the opportunity to directly interact with most of them, there is always an unknown factor that prevents us from approaching them freely for our daily interactions related to work. This uncertainty and hindrances in our interaction with our teammates can be sorted out once we get an opportunity to meet, interact, collaborate and work together to accomplish our deliverables. 

Benefits of Hybrid Model

Apart from some of the benefits mentioned above, the companies also offer their employees many engagement and motivational programs related to sports, fitness activities, cultural events etc. These events help an employee to showcase their skills and interest. It also helps the employees to interact and know each other well. There are also other welfare organizations and clubs within the IT campuses that conduct various programs that engage the employees in a positive manner. Such interactions are essential if an employee is looking to socialize and bring about his overall self-development.  The daily commute to the office would also reduce with the Hybrid setup. This would reduce some of the traffic problems that affect certain cities and towns. The canteen facilities, the library, the fitness arena, the infrastructure, and the Internet connectivity are all resources that are available for benefit of the employees. The employees need to make the best use of these facilities for their growth, self-development and well-being.

Challenges of the Hybrid Model

Even though the Hybrid model looks promising as it looks to address both the work and the life of an employee, it has some challenges and drawbacks. Some of the challenges are as follows : 

- Suppose the company asks their employees to come to the office for 2-3 days a week, would they allow the employees to be flexible and choose the days of the week on which they would be able to come?

- For the bachelors, they need to look for accommodation in a nearby hostel or a rented house. For the remaining days of the week would they plan to travel to their native or stay at their hostel and come to the office as usual?

- If the days of work at the office are not fixed then there can be imbalances where some employees would be working from the office whereas others would be at their home.

- Being flexible with the working days at the office is good but it should not raise comparisons and concerns among the employees. The HR may need a better strategy to deal with such problems that can arise in the future.

Conclusion

The recent changes have brought about a lot of flexibility, opportunities and changes to the working style of the professionals. Let us welcome the change with open arms and align with the processes and policies that are set up by the Govt and the organization. New situations, and methodologies only expand the thought process and the ability of an individual. A person who adapts and adjusts to the changing environment will only bring about a better version of himself.