Is the WFH Honeymoon Over?
Life Experience
The Great Indian Corporate Re-Think
Remember when WFH was the ultimate dream? No more insane traffic, no more formal clothes, just you, your laptop, and maybe a cup of chai. It was the post-COVID silver lining, a revolution in how we worked. But fast forward to 2025, and it seems the honeymoon phase is definitely over.
While a few years ago, we were all singing praises of flexibility, it looks like a lot of us are starting to feel the pinch of this new normal. The “hybrid model” is the buzzword, with most companies – from the big IT giants in Bengaluru to corporate offices in Gurugram – now opting for a 3-day work from office policy. But is it really working?
The Good, the Bad, and the “Wait, What?” of Hybrid Work
On the one hand, WFH is still a lifesaver for those “just-in-case” moments. Got a plumber coming over? Your kid has a minor fever? Instead of burning a precious leave, you can just log in from home. It’s a smart hack many of us have mastered. In fact, a lot of Indian employees are reportedly using WFH days to avoid taking leave for minor personal errands, a trend that’s definitely putting a strain on traditional leave policies.
But let’s be honest, that’s just one side of the coin. The reality for many is far less rosy.
I’ve seen it firsthand, and the data backs it up. That lack of face-to-face interaction is a real problem. Those 3 days in the office often feel like a rush to cram in all the “collaborative” work. You’re constantly trying to set up impromptu meetings or getting caught in endless back-to-back calls that could have been a quick chat over a cup of coffee. Team dynamics suffer, a sense of belonging erodes, and new joiners especially struggle to get a feel for the company culture.
And let’s not forget the productivity paradox. While some find their zen mode and get more done at home, others find it a little too comfortable. The lines between work and life blur completely. It’s easy to get distracted or lose track of time. How many times have we seen colleagues mysteriously “unavailable” during work hours because they decided to run an errand or treat it like a mini-holiday? It’s a classic example of WFH being seen as a benefit to be taken advantage of, rather than a tool for flexibility.
The Great Corporate Re-Think: Is Your Salary on the Line?
This brings us to a significant – and often unspoken – downside of the WFH trend: compensation. While many believe that working from home shouldn’t affect their pay, the reality is becoming more complex.
Some companies, particularly those with a global footprint, are starting to link compensation to a person’s location. The logic is simple: the cost of living in a Tier-1 city like Mumbai or Delhi is significantly higher than in a Tier-2 or Tier-3 city like Kochi or Indore. So, if an employee moves from a metro to their hometown, some companies may justify a pay adjustment. While this isn’t a widespread practice in India yet, some companies have implemented or are considering such policies. For instance, a tech professional who works from a smaller city might be paid less than a colleague in Bengaluru doing the exact same job.
On the flip side, some companies argue that they are saving on office space, electricity, and other overheads, which should be reflected in their employees’ salaries. But this raises a new question: does your salary reflect the value you bring to the company, or the pin code you live in?
Where do we go from here?
The sweet spot seems to be somewhere in the middle. We need a model that leverages the best of both worlds: the focused productivity of WFH and the invaluable human connection of the office. It’s about finding that balance between trust and accountability, and recognizing that for a vibrant, thriving workplace, we need to do more than just stare at each other through a screen. The question for both employees and employers now is, how do we build a future of work that is fair, productive, and truly sustainable?
What’s your take on this? Are you team WFH, or do you miss the good old office life? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
