5 work from home types: What working from home means for the future of the office

The world of work has changed massively in recent years. Working from home has become standard for many — but the work from home experience is not the same for everyone. While some are happy about more freedom and self-determination, others are struggling with a lack of exchange, isolation, and the dilemma of balancing work and private life.

A study by Steelcase has identified five different WFH types that show how differently people deal with this situation. The 5 types not only provide insights into how employees work individually, but also provide valuable information for companies that want to introduce hybrid working models and flexible office concepts such as desk sharing.

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1. The frustrated creative networker — collaboration requires closeness

This type thrives on direct exchange and spontaneous conversations. Brainstorming, creative workshops and exchange among colleagues in the office are essential for him. Digital alternatives such as video conferences or virtual whiteboards can only replace his way of working to a limited extent.

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Challenge: A lack of personal contact can have a negative impact on creativity and motivation. The exchange via digital channels often feels inadequate.

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Solution: Hybrid office concepts, which allow flexible use, can create a good balance here. Desk sharing makes it possible to come to the office as needed and secure a suitable space for creative collaboration.

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2. The easier self-protector — peace and focus while working from home

This type often finds annoying what is normal for others: conversations, open work spaces and lots of interruptions. While working from home, he can work undisturbed and concentrate better.

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Challenge: There is a risk that this type will increasingly withdraw from the company and become less involved in team processes.

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Solution: A flexible office concept that provides quiet work zones in the office can help to provide the benefits of working from home even on site. With desk sharing and software developed for this purpose, such as Flexopus, everyone can choose the workplace according to their wishes — be it a quiet area for focused work or a more communicative environment for team exchange in the office.

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3. The overhauled supervisor — between meetings and private commitments

This type juggles between professional tasks and private obligations. People with families or other care responsibilities in particular face the challenge of balancing work and private life.

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Challenge: Constant interruptions and a lack of a clear balance between work and leisure often lead to stress and overload.

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Solution: A flexible working model that allows you to switch between WFH and office can alleviate the workload here. Desk sharing makes it possible to use the office in a targeted manner to create a more productive environment when there are too many distractions at home. At the same time, the flexibility to use work from home on days with a high private workload remains.

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4. The isolated Zoom user — lack of social contact while working from home

Anyone who lives alone often has to deal with isolation when working from home. Although there are many virtual meetings, spontaneous conversations and exchanges with colleagues are sorely lacking.

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Challenge: A lack of social contacts can have a negative effect on motivation and well-being in the long term.

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Solution: Here, too, a hybrid model offers advantages. If the office can be used flexibly, it will no longer just be a place to work, but also a social meeting place. Desk sharing provides variety because workstations are not rigidly distributed, but can be used as needed.

5. The autonomy seeker — maximum productivity while working from home

This type has set himself up optimally while working from home and works more efficiently at home than in the office. He appreciates the flexibility of being able to better manage his own working time and feels comfortable working from home.

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Challenge: Even though this type works very independently, the lack of physical presence in the office can lead to less team spirit in the long term. There are also situations in which direct exchange would be more efficient.

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Solution: A desk sharing model offers the option of using the office according to individual needs. If you prefer to work from home, you can remain flexible, but come to the office when needed and work there without a fixed job commitment.

Desk sharing as the key to a dynamic working world

The findings of the study on different types of work from home employees underline that a fixed workplace is no longer up to date in today's working world. While some employees need direct communication in the office, others feel more productive in a quieter environment. Desk sharing therefore offers companies the opportunity to take these different needs into account and use them for themselves. Instead of providing fixed workplaces, employees can flexibly decide when they come to the office and which workplace they require today. This not only leads to more efficient use of space, but also promotes exchange between teams by constantly creating new communication channels. This turns the office from just a place of work to a flexible hub for collaboration, creativity and social interaction.

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Software, such as Flexopus, developed specifically for this purpose is essential for the success of a successful desk sharing concept. With Flexopus, meeting the challenges of the modern working world is child's play. This creates fair and equal cooperation between employees working from home and those present in the office.

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Conclusion: The future of work is flexible

The five work from home types show that there is no uniform solution for everyone. While some work better in the office, others appreciate the benefits of working from home. Companies today face the challenge of creating working models that suit both groups and must be more agile than ever.

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Hybrid concepts such as desk sharing offer a useful solution here. They make it possible to use office space more efficiently, while employees can flexibly decide when and where they work most productively. This allows everyone to combine the benefits of office and WFH in the best possible way — depending on their own working style and needs.

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By the way: If you would like to find out more about current studies in the field of new work and hybrid work, we created a big overview with the latest scientific studies on the topic on our blog. Have fun browsing!

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