Are office pods a better alternative to working from home? 

Working from home (WFH) offers many benefits – flexibility, cost savings on travel, avoiding the long commute, and it’s good for those who need peace and quiet to be their most productive. But WFH also comes with its fair share of challenges – whether it’s the distraction of a pile of washing that must be ironed, a lack of separation between work and personal life, or the lack of human contact, WFH is not all it’s cracked up to be. 

There’s every good reason to believe that being in the office is more beneficial for business. But don’t just take our word for it – an analysis by the recruitment consultancy Hayes found that for the first time since the pandemic more people are working full-time in the office (43 per cent) than hybrid (39 per cent) or fully remote (18 per cent). 

Can you have the best of both worlds? How can you get employees back into the office while keeping those WFH stalwarts happy and ensuring they get the peace and quiet they need?

Office pods, of course! 

These nifty and versatile little (or large) pods have taken the business world by storm. Gone are the open plan, noisy offices where your neighbour slurping their morning coffee is the customary disturbance. Office pods provide a dedicated and quiet workspace so sorely needed in this age of distraction. But that’s not all…

Pods enhance your productivity

Ok, so working from the kitchen table means you’re close to the kettle, and you don’t have to go out to get lunch. But, it also means that everyone and anyone can and will talk to you (including the parcel delivery person) when you’re mid-thought on a significant project. One of the main advantages of an office pod is the dedicated and distraction-free workspace. They provide a secluded environment without needing a separate office space, which means you get more work done. And who says you can’t put a coffee pot in the pod with you? 

Pods can be customised for your comfort

Office pods are designed with comfort and functionality in mind, so you have a productive work day every day. Many models offer customisable features like adjustable desks, ergonomic chairs, and personalised lighting, which allows each employee a workspace tailored to their specific needs and preferences. When compared to the kitchen chair, which let’s face it, gives you a numb bum after an hour, there is no comparison. The attention to design detail that pods offer can contribute to better posture, reduced physical strain, and an overall more comfortable work environment.

Pods enhance collaboration

While WFH can lead to either isolation or distraction, office pods offer a middle ground by providing a dedicated workspace without completely isolating its occupant – they still get those in-person chats when needed, but they get peace and quiet too. Furthermore, modern office pods can be a meeting room in themselves and have the installed technology to facilitate virtual meetings. This means your employees can have their cake and eat it too – enjoying the benefits of remote work (quiet and distraction-free) while staying connected with the boss and colleagues.

Pods are cost-effective

Setting up a home office with the necessary furniture and equipment can be costly, and there are so many things to consider: heating, lighting, connectivity. But because office pods come pre-equipped with all the essential features you need and much more besides, they remove the need for those additional expenses. 

Pods are for home too

Ok, so you’re not convinced that using office pods in the workplace are better than working from home? Then have both! Having a customised office pod at home is the perfect solution for those who need to work from home (no space at the office or self-employed) but don’t have the luxury of a sound-proofed office. There’s no daily commute, yet you still have the perfectly comfortable, private and insulated office space you need without worrying about the kids drawing stick figures on that important report. 

When using the spare room isn’t an option, having an office pod at home provides that buffer between your work and your home life, allowing you to leave files and papers out and easily step in and out of a ‘working mindset’ because when WFH is that there’s no clear boundary line where the professional day ends and the personal day begins. Office pods give you the quiet you need to help establish a physical separation between the two. You step out of the pod once the workday is over and fully engage with your personal and family activities. 

While working from home has become a widespread practice in recent years, a hangover from the pandemic, it seems that more businesses are reverting to the in-office working day. But to keep employees productive it’s important to give them the working environment that works best for them. Office pods offer a dedicated and ergonomic workspace within the office environment and as comfort and productivity go hand in hand, all you need do is find the right one for your business.