Differentiation of Work-tasks at Homes and Offices

Abstract

This paper aims to show the different possibilities of both work environments: the traditional office and the home office. Both places provide different opportunities to fulfil the daily work tasks. The authors argue that both work spaces are suited for specific kinds of work, which plays an important role when it comes to a further development of the hybrid office. Unrevised and higher productivity while working from home is valuable evidence within emerging workplace trends towards hybrid work. Due to the expected anticipation of a great majority of companies to adopt hybrid working, a differentiation of potentials of both workplaces seems immanent. Based on a survey from 2017, an intensive literature research was enrolled. A revised survey was then conducted and a total of 44 answers were given by managers in top and middle management. The spaces of the traditional office and at home, both assumed to be valid workplaces, were then put into comparison. Tasks performed in both work spaces were analysed, as well as the workplace at home and eventual disturbances while working from home. Concentrated, focused and independently fulfilled work tasks are best supported when working from home. Activities that require communication among teams are best supported in the office. Observations on the subject of the hybrid office are limited due to the newness of this development. Empirical studies don’t show long-term observations on the topic yet.