Work from the office vs. work from home: Find out which option is right for you

You may wonder what's better: work-from-home or work-from-office arrangements. The debate is between traditional office work and remote work. It has become more prominent in recent years.  

Companies determine the best arrangement for their needs. Employees must weigh their options.  

According to a Randstad survey, 96% of Malaysian employees prefer flexible arrangements that allow them to work from home. 37% are willing to accept lower wages to work remotely.  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote working has become a norm, as most Malaysians have spent at least a year cooped up at home.  

When deciding whether to work from the office or work from home, consider your personal preferences and job requirements. Each work environment has advantages and disadvantages, and finding the right fit is crucial for productivity and overall job satisfaction.  

We'll cover the following in this guide:

• Pros and cons of working from the office
• How to adapt when you have to go back to the office for work?
• Pros and cons of working from home
• How to adapt when you go back to working from home?
• Factors to consider when choosing to work from an office or from home
• How do I know if I work better in the office or from home?
• Conclusion
• FAQs 

Pros and cons of working from the office 

Here is a more detailed look at the advantages and challenges related to working from an office: 

Pros 

Here are some reasons why working in an office is better than at home: 

1) A structured environment 

A physical office provides a structured environment that enhances productivity and focus. With a dedicated workspace and set working hours, it's easier to establish a routine and stick to a schedule.  

With fewer distractions, some prioritise their tasks well in an office. They manage their time better, too. This is why some say working in the office is better than home.  

Working in an office also gives you easy access to the necessary tools, office equipment, and resources to do your job. This improves your efficiency. 

2) Improved collaborative opportunities 

An office environment provides opportunities for face-to-face collaboration. Being physically present in the exact location allows for more effective communication. In-person engagement creates fast and seamless collaboration among colleagues.  

All these factors boost productivity. 

You interact with your coworkers regularly when you work in an office setting. This helps you build strong professional relationships that make working together easier. These relationships may also help your career. Your colleagues provide networking opportunities.    

3) Tight-knit relationships with team members 

Office working leads to closer relationships and greater cohesion between colleagues. The increased face time provides more opportunities to get to know your coworkers from different departments.  

This fosters a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Building these relationships also creates a more positive work environment. It is more enjoyable because you're around colleagues you know.  

As Malaysians, having a social life outside of work with your coworkers is a norm. It’s hard to resist the regular “mamak” sessions when coworkers tend to bond.  

4) Clear work-life boundaries 

A healthy work-life balance helps you achieve personal and professional growth. Healthy boundaries between work and personal life protect your mental health and well-being.  

An office environment gives you a separate and dedicated physical space for working. This can make focusing on your work tasks easier, which might help you be more productive.  

Having a separate space to work in can also help you switch off from work and focus on your activities when you finish the day. It may also reduce your stress and decrease your risk of job burnout, which is becoming a more common problem among employees. 

5) Increased access to workplace benefits 

Many workplaces provide benefits to office workers. These can include free lunches, coffee, and snacks. Air conditioning, a second monitor, and an ergonomic chair for added comfort and to improve productivity are also common.  

Some companies offer free transportation or parking to employees who choose to go back to the office. 

Cons 

Here are some of the disadvantages of working in an office setting: 

1) Commute challenges 

TomTom Traffic's 2023 Traffic Index report revealed that those working in Kuala Lumpur spent about 16 minutes and 50 seconds travelling 10 kilometres in 2023. This equals 102 hours – or about 4.3 days in a year – that they're on the road. The figures will be higher for those who have a longer commute. 

There are many adverse effects to commuting. If you use a private vehicle, fuel could be expensive. Even with the subsidiaries on fuel, having a car is expensive if you drive to work daily.  

With 250 working days and a daily commute of 20 kilometres, you would need 200 litres of fuel for the year. This amounts to approximately RM700 if you're driving a car that uses RON 97 petrol, which costs RM3.47 per litre.  

That's close to RM2 on fuel per day. Add a parking fee of about RM10, considered cheap in Kuala Lumpur,  and you could spend more than RM12 daily. You could try Grab, but travelling 10 kilometres in Kuala Lumpur could cost you RM18, up to RM36 per day.  

You could spend less using public transport, such as a LRT, commuter train, bus, or taxi. For example, a 10-kilometre ride on the LRT only costs RM2.30, which means your daily commute would be less than RM5.  

But, these come with significant cons. Nobody enjoys spending hours waiting for the train. Peak hours would also mean getting sardined into a public mode of transport. This is quite uncomfortable for most, and health risks are associated with riding in a cramped vehicle full of people.  

2) Limited flexibility 

Working in an office provides structure and consistency, but it could be an issue if you prefer a more flexible schedule. If you're more productive at certain times or want a change of scene, office working won't help you be your most productive.  

The traditional office setting could also be hard to navigate for individuals with diverse work schedules. Typical office hours in Malaysia are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. If your schedule is different, you may face challenges in commuting or talking with your team. The rigid schedule may also make a healthy work-life balance difficult to achieve. 

3) Higher expenses 

Aside from commuting, you must consider food expenses when working in an office. A 2022 Rakuten Insight survey found that 54% of Malaysians spend RM10 to RM20 eating out for lunch.  

In contrast, a family serving of chicken curry is around RM30, even if you factor in rice, which is a staple. This is enough for five people. It's about RM6 per person. That's less than you'd spend if you buy lunch for yourself at your physical workplace.  

How to adapt when you have to go back to the office for work? 

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If you have been working remotely and must return to in-person arrangements, you might wonder how to improve your working environment in the office.  

Here are tips on improving the workplace working environment:

• Figure out what type of transportation works best for you. Consider your schedule, budget, and time. Use Google Maps. It shows the available transportation types and their arrival times.
• Give yourself enough time to commute. Add 30 minutes to an hour for unexpected delays, such as traffic jams or road closures. Take particular note of this if you're commuting during rush hours, which are between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Create a schedule that works for you. Determine your peak productivity hours and allot these to your most important tasks. Include breaks into your schedule to avoid burnout and give yourself time to recharge.
• Incorporate exercise and walks into your daily routine. Physical activity helps you maintain your overall health and well-being. Walking after work or during lunch could improve your mood, clear your mind, and combat the negative effects of working behind a desk all day. 

Pros and cons of working from home 

Understanding the pros and cons of working from home helps you determine if this arrangement might work for you: 

Pros 

Here are a few reasons why some Malaysians prefer to work from home: 

1) Flexibility 

Remote work gives you the freedom to set your schedule. This increased autonomy allows you to maximise your time. You could schedule meetings and brainstorming sessions when you're most productive. You can also make time for personal activities. 

2) Cost savings 

Working from home is more cost-effective than working in an office. For a 20-kilometre round-trip commute, you could save approximately RM5 to RM36 a day – between RM100 and RM720 monthly. This relates to the figures we used earlier in this article. 

The biggest expenses for remote workers are electricity and internet access. According to Tenaga Nasional Berhad's appliance calculator, using a laptop for nine hours daily (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) costs around RM3 a month. Turning on the air conditioner at the same time adds around RM44. This means remote working increases your monthly utility bill by about RM47. 

Celcom's most affordable fibre optic plan for internet access is RM80 monthly. Of course, you're unlikely to use this solely for working, so you can't consider it purely a remote work expense. All in all, even with the additional costs, you still stand to save money by working from home. 

3) Increased productivity 

Many studies show that remote working improves productivity. One study examined the effectiveness of a work-from-home arrangement among travel agency employees.  

The performance of those who worked remotely increased by 13%. The Fall 2022 Future Forum Pulse survey had a similar observation, with employees who enjoy flexible working arrangements reporting a 29% increase in their productivity. 

Many Malaysians believe the office offers a more focused work environment because of its structure. But there are things you could do when working remotely to achieve the same results. Here are some examples:

• Invest in comfortable office furniture. An example is an ergonomic chair.
• Make sure the air quality in your working space is good. Install an air filter or purifier and ventilate the space regularly.
• Keep your home office space organised. A clutter-free work area helps you focus and be more productive.
• Add greenery to your workspace. A 2014 experiment showed that people could concentrate better and were more productive in offices that had leafy plants.
• Let in natural light. A 2014 study found that people who work in offices with artificial lighting tend to have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol than those in naturally lit spaces. 

Cons 

Here are some disadvantages of working from home: 

1) Isolation challenges 

Because you're not working closely with your coworkers, the shared sense of purpose and camaraderie that comes with working in an office is missing. This leaves you feeling isolated. Your work productivity and engagement may suffer as a result. 

There are strategies for maintaining a sense of connection. Many organisations create opportunities for employees to connect virtually through videoconferences, online chats, and collaboration tools.  

Here are some things you could do to recreate the social aspects of working in an office:

• Reach out to coworkers. Engage in conversations about work and non-work topics to establish a connection with them.
• Set boundaries between your work and home life. Avoid burnout by maintaining a work-life balance that allows you to socialise with family and friends.
• Join company events. Participating in corporate social responsibility activities, such as tree-planting initiatives or medical missions, helps you connect with colleagues. 

2) Communication hurdles 

Clear communication is a must in any Malaysian workplace. But with virtual teams, additional challenges could make this difficult. Common issues that employees who work remotely face are an unreliable internet connection, faulty audio and video equipment, and inadequate tools for communication. 

These issues can affect team collaboration and dynamics. For example, a microphone or headset that's not working properly can hinder continuous idea sharing. A weak connection can cause audio and video to lag, making it difficult to share ideas or listen to a team member during a brainstorming session. 

 These hurdles can make building relationships with team members and clients harder. 

How to adapt when you go back to working from home? 

Here are tips for adapting to working from home:

• Have a proper work-from-home setup. Designate an area in your home as your physical workplace. Your setup should include a comfortable chair, a desk, proper lighting, and the equipment and technology you need for work.
• Create a schedule and stick to it. Even with flexible work hours, try to create a routine for your workday. This could help you stay on top of your tasks and manage your time effectively.
• Set proper work-life boundaries. When you finish work for the day, log out and turn off your devices. Step away from your workspace, and avoid answering calls or emails.
• Take proper breaks. Regular breaks throughout your workday are important for your mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being. Have lunch away from your desk, take a short walk outside, do an exercise routine, or chat with your colleagues.
• Remain communicative during office hours. Enable notifications on your work communication platforms and devices, set an alarm for lunch breaks, and clear your email inbox regularly. Update your calendar if there are changes to your schedule so your team knows your availability and can contact you when necessary. 

Factors to consider when choosing to work from an office or home 

Here are some key considerations for Malaysian employees deciding whether to work in an office or from home: 

Job nature 

Some roles require a physical presence because of the nature of the job. These include many positions in healthcare, manufacturing, and other industries where on-site work is necessary. There are also jobs you can perform remotely without affecting the quality of your work. These usually involve computer-based tasks like software development, customer service, and digital marketing. 

Personal preferences 

Work style and preferences have an impact on job satisfaction. That's why it's important to consider them before you choose a work arrangement. Working in an office is a great option if you thrive in a social work environment that encourages employee interaction. If you prefer a quieter setting where you can work independently, working from home may suit you. 

Company culture 

Company culture influences how employees work and interact with one another. When deciding, consider how your values align with those of the company you wish to work for. Then, see if these values result in a company culture that supports working from home or in an office.  

If the company values innovation, its organisational culture may make it easier for new employees to work remotely. If it values teamwork and subscribes to a traditional hierarchical structure, its culture may encourage you to work in the office. 

How do I know if I work better in the office or from home? 

Here's a quick way to determine if working from home or in an office is right for you: 

Determine your work style and preferences 

If you're self-motivated and can stay focused on work despite distractions from family, pets, or roommates, a work-from-home arrangement could work for you.  

If you need a structured environment with clear boundaries between your work and personal life, you may find working in an office more suitable. Regarding communication style, you may be happier with office work if you're more extroverted and thrive on collaboration. 

Assess your work environment 

Working from home is great if you have a suitable space for working and you don't need specific office equipment to do your job. But if workplace resources are essential to your work, going to the office is a better choice. 

 And if your job involves a lot of teamwork and face-to-face collaboration, an office environment might also be more conducive to working effectively. 

Take note of emotional and social considerations 

If you thrive in solitude and prefer jobs where collaboration is minimal, you could likely work from home without much difficulty. But if you need social interaction to feel motivated or enjoy working with others, an office environment may improve your mental health. The more social you are, the more you may benefit from office work. 

Conclusion 

If you're a Malaysian employee or job seeker contemplating whether to work in an office or from home, carefully consider the pros and cons of both options. Office work offers more social interaction and collaboration, provides a clear daily structure, and separates your work and personal life more effectively.  

Remote working gives you greater flexibility and may improve your productivity. It can also be more cost-effective. You must weigh these against your work style, preferences, and social and emotional needs to determine which option suits you best. 

FAQs 

Here are answers to common questions about this topic: 

1. What is the meaning of working from the office? 
   ⁠Working from the office refers to the traditional work arrangement where employees carry out their tasks and responsibilities within a physical office space their employer provides. This setup typically involves commuting to and from work, attending regular office hours, and interacting face-to-face with colleagues and supervisors. 
2. What is the difference between WFH and WFO? 
   ⁠WFH, or working from home, and WFO, or working from the office, lie in the physical location where employees perform their duties. Employees on a work-from-home arrangement can complete their tasks from the comfort of their own homes. 
   ⁠On the other hand, an office setup requires employees to be physically present in a specific location. 
3. Is it better to work from home or office? 
   ⁠The answer to this depends on your job, the company culture, work style, and personal preferences. An innovative company may embrace work-from-home arrangements, while a business with traditional values may prefer you work at the office. 
   ⁠If you can do your job remotely, a work-from-home arrangement could work. But if you need to be on-site to complete tasks, working at the office may be mandatory. 
4. How to get used to working in an office again?
   ⁠Transitioning back to working in an office after working from home can be a big adjustment. You can make it easier by establishing and following a routine. 
   ⁠Also, take advantage of the social aspect of office work by connecting with your colleagues. This can help you feel more at ease in your new office environment.