The world of work has undergone a profound change since the pandemic, and one term in particular has come to the fore: WFH, which stands for 'working from home'. At a time when flexibility and mobility are becoming increasingly important, WFH allows us to work efficiently without leaving our own four walls. But what exactly is behind this concept? From the various forms of home office and the necessary equipment to the tax aspects and innovative solutions such as desk-sharing - this article explains everything you need to know about home office.

What is WFH (work from home)?

Working from home, also known as home office, telecommuting or mobile working, is a modern way of working that allows you to complete your professional tasks from a location outside the traditional office. The most common location for WFH is - as the name suggests - your own home, but it can also be done in other environments such as cafés, co-working spaces, or even outdoors.

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This flexible form of working has increased significantly in recent years, as the world of work has had to change abruptly due to the pandemic. But even after the end of lockdowns, more and more employers are realizing the many benefits of working from home for their employees. Because essentially, working from home offers the flexibility to complete work tasks autonomously and at any time. This approach is very different from traditional office work, which requires presence in the office during certain working hours.

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And as has been shown, this in no way means less performance on the part of employees - quite the opposite. People with family commitments in particular are more productive and satisfied thanks to the new flexibility in the workplace - and are therefore more likely to remain loyal to their company than employees who are not able to work from home.‍

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The increasing spread of the home office is supported by technological advances and the reliable integration of digital communication tools that enable seamless collaboration across different locations. After all, cohesion and working from home should not be mutually exclusive.

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What types of work-from-home are there?

When you think of the term WFH, you may have a very specific image in your head. However, several different forms of working-from-home have now become established - and each of them has its own advantages:

1. Teleworking

Classic teleworking refers to the traditional form of home office, where employees work exclusively from home.

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It is characterized by a fixed workplace in the home environment with fixed working hours. ‍In contrast to more flexible forms of home office, such as mobile working or hybrid working, traditional teleworking gives you less freedom in terms of where you work. However, how exactly the conditions of this form of home office are defined varies from company to company.

2. Mobile working

Mobile working allows you to work flexibly from different locations, not just from home. In contrast to traditional teleworking, you are not restricted to a fixed home environment, which gives you even more freedom. Cafés, coworking spaces or even parks can become your office. You can organize your working hours more flexibly and choose the best place for your productivity. This makes mobile working ideal for globetrotters. ‍

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In contrast to fixed work equipment, which is common in hybrid working, you can use your preferred devices. Mobile working is all about the freedom to choose where you work and enables a more dynamic, adaptable way of working that allows for more variety and personal preferences.

3. Hybrid working

Hybrid working models combine the advantages of office life with the flexibility of working from home. You spend part of the week in the office and work from home the rest of the time. This creates a balanced mix of personal interaction and autonomous work.

What do you need for a WFH office?

If your home office equipment is not provided by your employer, you are probably wondering what equipment will make your everyday life easier. After all, unlike ergonomic workstations in the office, your own four walls may not yet be ideal for working from home. So you shouldn't do without these things when working from home:

What WFH equipment do you need?

When setting up your private WFH office, you should be guided by the essential equipment of an office to ensure optimal productivity and ideal comfort: An ergonomic desk and chair, a reliable laptop, a good monitor that is easy on the eyes, a stable internet connection, your favorite keyboard and mouse, sufficient lighting, possibly a printer, office supplies and a headset for video conferencing are essential. With this basic equipment, you can create an efficient working environment that takes both your physical comfort and technological requirements into account.

What broadband speed do I need to work from home?

It's clear: the internet speed you need depends on the type of work you do. For simple tasks, such as writing texts or translations, 10 to 20 Mbit is sufficient. However, if you work as a developer or content creator and therefore need to ensure the reliability of large downloads or video conferences, you should opt for a faster speed of 50 Mbit or more. A reliable internet connection will not only save you time, but also a lot of nerves and worries.

What is the best WFH monitor setup?

Just like the speed of your internet connection, choosing the perfect monitor depends on your individual requirements and work processes. Depending on your profession, the screen size, resolution, color accuracy, response time, ergonomic adjustability, blue light filter for eye protection and connection options are crucial.
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Prioritize a screen that meets your work needs, whether it's for multitasking, design or video conferencing. Look for well-known brands for quality, durability and, last but not least, ease of use. For many people, a second monitor is recommended for even more efficient working.

Which laptop is suitable for the home office?

If you only want to work with a laptop, you don't need to worry about a monitor, of course. However, there are some aspects that you should not ignore when choosing your home office laptop: Check the performance, screen size and resolution, quality of the keyboard, battery life and variety of ports - reach for well-known brands here too and don't save money in the wrong place. ‍A compact, lightweight design for mobility is important to many people, as are a powerful webcam and a good microphone for video conferencing.

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Complement this with accessories such as an external mouse, keyboard and laptop stand to ensure your working comfort and improve ergonomics. Of course, you should also make sure that the laptop meets your specific requirements, be it for creative tasks, programming or office work.

What does the employer have to provide for the home office?

Your employer is normally obliged to provide you with the necessary work equipment for your home office. This usually includes... ‍

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• Laptop
• Monitor
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Internet-enabled mobile phone‍
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Your employer should also cover the costs of installation and maintenance. But what about the additional costs you incur for electricity, internet and the premises? To cover these costs, the German government has introduced the so-called HMRC WFH allowance.

What is the HMRC WFH allowance?

The WFH allowance allows eligible employees in the UK to claim tax relief for a portion of their household expenses, including heating, electricity, and internet costs. It's important to note that this information may have changed, and it is recommended to check the latest guidelines and updates from HMRC or consult with a tax professional for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the Working from Home Allowance.

Flexopus: The desk-sharing software for hybrid work

Although working from home offers many advantages, it can also lead to social isolation and a lack of work-life balance. This is why many professionals prefer hybrid working, which allows a mixture of office and flexible home working. This is because the hybrid approach promotes team interaction, maintains the corporate culture and enables personal development. ‍Flexopus wants to drive the digitalization of hybrid work and help make offices more flexible.

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To achieve this goal, Flexopus has developed what is probably the most intuitive desk-sharing software in Germany: Flexopus provides companies with a simple and powerful solution that turns the office into a flexible office. To ensure maximum flexibility, you can even log in to Flexopus from your home office so that your colleagues can see where you are working today.‍

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Whether booking workstations, meeting rooms or even parking spaces - Flexopus has thought of everything you need to work as efficiently as possible in a hybrid environment. Of course, the many practical integrations and intuitive settings are also included. This makes hybrid working child's play!

Conclusion

Working from home is a flexible way of working that has many advantages. When agreeing to work from home with your employer, clear communication regarding policies, working hours and accessibility is important. ‍Choosing the right equipment, working with your employer and innovative software solutions such as Flexopus can help you get the most out of this way of working. After all, your workplace should be just as efficient and comfortable at home as it is in the office.