One of the discussions we had in our MBA class for Integral Human Development was the question “Which forms of well-being are being nurtured at work?”
In my mind, work is still a physical space, and only until 3 weeks ago, it was.
Let me tell YOU my story.
My On-site Work History
When I graduated in 2011 with a degree in Communication Arts, I wasn’t very specific with how I wanted my workplace to be. It was a cramped office in Ortigas, with a job that was not so great (imagine writing 4500 words per day!) and a pantry that can barely fit 4 people.
However, my fond memories of working at that office was mainly coming from the set of friends that I have gotten to know over time. I’d say it was an environment that was very similar from what I got out of college.
Fast forward to 2012, and I was working at a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company. It was stable, with badges to access specific office spaces and a large pantry that can fit most people on site. The seating and interior design were comfortable, albeit spartan, but it did focus on efficiency and surveillance, as there were cameras everywhere.
My way of nurturing relationships happens mostly outside of the workplace, as BPOs are more focused on efficiency and productive work, or at least that’s what I felt in the early 2010s. There’s always a way to cut waste, eliminate costs, and ensure that people’s work are maximized at these workspaces.
In 2014, I moved to a startup company, and as the name implies, it was a very vibrant and young workplace. Free flowing beer and coffee was open for everyone’s taking, and weekly parties on site, made dinner plans less troublesome.
In this setup, most of my time was spent at work. The office had lockers and a shower, that you can use for when you’re pulling an all-nighter. However, it would soon dawn on everyone that these workspaces are designed to make employees stay at the office for longer. Therefore, social relationships and bonds are established at the office.
My last on-site work was at a commercial district, where almost all of advertising and media agencies in the Philippines hold office. It was a cross between my 2012 and 2014 workplace, which are coming from opposite sides of the spectrum. Then the pandemic hit, and I’ve been working — and studying — from home for the past year and a half.
This has been the most rewarding workspace for me. I spent just enough time at work, but I can choose to stay at the workplace only if needed. Social bonds are a mix of work friends and friends that I have earned along the way.
Working from Anywhere
Despite the threats of COVID-19, some workplaces want workers to return to the office at a later time. However, any chance of that happening with me is impossible, as I’ve recently resigned and taken on a project management position which is headquartered in the US, operated in India, and I am the only employee out of Manila.
I thought long and hard about this decision. My workplaces from previous years are physical spaces that fostered professional relationships and even friendships that go beyond the workplace. I will miss the early morning congregation at the pantry, and even the overbooking of meeting rooms! I thought that to be productive, one has to have a workspace that represents them and the organization that they belong to. You can’t blame me for overthinking — as most of the past few years of my professional career has been exclusively working on-site.
COVID-19 was a real game-changer. It put a different perspective on what is a productive space. For me, it means that I can train myself to work anywhere and be productive in my own terms. I can also take this mobility and use it to my advantage.
It’s been barely three weeks, but I don’t think I’ll be regretting this decision anytime soon. There are a lot of memories and stories that workplaces that help us in our ways of thinking and doing but having the freedom to choose what works best for you is liberating.
I know that this is not a choice that everyone should be making, but one thing’s for sure — you can nurture your way into your own workplace.