Social media debate: should employees return to the office full-time?

A growing number of companies are calling on employees to return to their previous office routines, sparking a wide-ranging discussion on social media. Many commenters expressed confusion over this trend, arguing that the quality of work matters more than physical presence in an office.

One participant in the discussion said that, as an employer, it makes no difference to them where an employee works as long as the job gets done well. They suggested that daily in-office control is almost unavoidable for many employers in Latvia, adding that if a company wants staff to commute, it should compensate them for the associated costs and time.

Differing views

Other commenters cited specific examples, including a case where court assistants were no longer allowed to work remotely, which some said was a reason to change jobs. Others argued that long commuting times significantly cut into time available for family and rest.

Not everyone views remote work positively, however. Some participants, including former hybrid workers, said office work suits them better, fostering closer relationships with colleagues, faster communication and greater motivation. One former employer noted that during a period of hybrid work, mutual understanding within the team broke down, forcing them to take on the role of mediating staff relationships.

Several commenters emphasized that the changes brought by the pandemic have permanently altered people's habits, making a full return to pre-pandemic working arrangements unrealistic. Some argued that a better work-life balance can also benefit companies, while excessive control and distrust of employees fail to deliver results in the long run. At the same time, it was noted that the success of remote work largely depends on individual employees' discipline and attitude toward their responsibilities.