Work-From-Home Impact on Innovation & Collaboration

The Work-From-Home (WFH) model foisted upon employees across the globe has brought one question to the fore – what will be the impact of Work-From-Home on innovation and collaboration? Clearly, the impact of Work-From-Home on innovation and collaboration has been a topic of intense discussion across organizations. Let’s try and understand why the impact of Work-From-Home on innovation and collaboration matters so much to organizations? But before we delve deep, let us first focus on the positives one can count through the WFH working model.Work From-Home helps employees save commuting time allowing them to ramp up work productivity as well as improve their work-life balance. Clearly, logging in from home has several advantages.

However, Work-From-Home has its demerits as well – household distractions, slow internet connections, and work timings getting extended beyond usual hours can be frustrating and take a toll on employees.But the biggest talking point is what will be the impact of Work-From-Home on collaboration and innovation? A remote working environment ensures there is a lack of physical or face-to-face interaction among workers. In a physical workplace, we all know how the brainstorming sessions and collaboration serve as a catalyst for driving business excellence. In a virtual workplace the use of technology, including Zoom meetings can to some extent make up for the absence of physical interaction but cannot have the same impact of in-person brainstorming and collaboration.

One is not sure what will be the long-term impact of Work-From-Home on collaboration and innovation for organizations, but it has created a pressing need for organizations to embrace a supportive work culture wherein HR departments go out of their way to drive employee creativity that can translate into a game-changing idea.HR departments needto facilitate employee stress-buster programs that will help employees to beat their day-to-day stress and stay adequately recharged for new challenges.

 

The Covid-19 has fast-forwarded the WFH model and it remains to be seen if the impact of Work-From-Home will lead to newer ways of collaboration and innovation in a virtual workplace in times to come.