More and more companies are calling their employees back to the office. The arguments are often the same: better collaboration, higher productivity, and a stronger corporate culture. But a closer look reveals that this decision often isn’t backed by solid evidence of actual productivity losses in the home office. Instead, it stems from uncertainty, outdated management methods, and inefficient processes.
We firmly believe: home office works – and it works excellently! And we’re speaking from experience, not just theory: 8reasons Digital and iits-consulting → are living proof. With over 128 employees, we operate fully remotely – more successfully than ever.
Our CEO, Alexander Varro, provides another example: as the CEO of 8reasons Digital, he spent nearly a year traveling the world – and 8reasons Digital ran smoothly the whole time. Why? Careful planning, well-thought-out processes, and a clear strategy. Today, he manages the company 75% from Peru and 25% from Germany. It works.
What does this mean? Home office isn’t the problem – poor structures and lack of trust are.
Why do so many companies fail at implementing home office?
Many companies see remote work as a failure. But if you look closer, you realize: the problem isn’t home office itself—it’s how companies organize work.
Here are the most common reasons why home office doesn’t work in some companies:
1. Unclear processes and responsibilities
Without clear structures and responsibilities, remote work quickly becomes chaotic. When nobody knows who is responsible for what, misunderstandings arise—whether in the office or remotely.
2. Lack of digital tools for smooth collaboration
Many companies try to replicate the traditional office experience digitally—with endless emails, countless meetings, and a lack of transparency. Meanwhile, modern tools exist that enable seamless remote collaboration.
3. A culture of distrust—control instead of trust
Recently, a LinkedIn post went viral: a manager saw that one of their employees had a haircut appointment during working hours and publicly criticized it.
This is exactly the wrong mindset! Productivity isn’t about sitting at a desk from 9 to 5—it’s about delivering results. If an employee gets their work done, it doesn’t matter if they get a haircut at noon. In fact, that’s one of the great advantages of home office!
Employees can:
- Schedule doctor or haircut appointments flexibly—without rushing through the city
- Do the same work—but with more freedom
- Work more efficiently—because they can organize their day better
Home office means trusting the people you work with. If you have good employees, micromanagement is unnecessary.
An often underestimated factor: the environmental aspect
Many companies talk about sustainability and climate protection but often ignore one of the biggest environmental factors in working life: the daily commute.
1. Millions of people commute every day—often unnecessarily
Every morning and evening, millions of people sit in cars, buses, or trains to get to the office—even when their work could easily be done from home.
- Car travel consumes enormous amounts of fuel. Especially in rural areas, commuting by car is often unavoidable.
- Public transport is often overcrowded and inefficient. In big cities, people spend hours daily on trains or buses.
- Commuting costs time and quality of life. Many employees lose one to two hours every day just to sit at a desk they could use just as well at home.
2. Home office as a contribution to climate protection
Companies with many employees can actually make a noticeable positive impact on the environment by offering home office.
- Less traffic and emissions: Fewer people commuting reduces congestion and pollution.
- Lower energy consumption in office buildings: Large offices use a lot of electricity for lighting, heating, and air conditioning.
- More sustainable work-life balance: Employees experience less stress when they don’t have to rush through the city every day.
It’s clear: companies that embrace home office not only do their employees a favor but also help the environment.
How Home Office Really Works: The Success Principles of 8reasons Digital and the iits Group →
How have we managed to be successful remotely with over 128 employees? Through a combination of clear structures, modern tools, and a strong culture of trust.
1. Clear processes and goal orientation instead of presence-focused thinking
- Results matter more than being physically present: Every employee knows exactly what is expected and can work flexibly.
- Own time management and responsibility: Those who achieve their goals can decide when and where they work.
- Fixed routines and transparent task distribution: This prevents misunderstandings and ensures everyone knows their role.
2. Asynchronous communication instead of meeting overload
- We rely on written communication, clear documentation, and well-thought-out processes.
- Meetings only happen when truly necessary and always have a clear agenda.
- Everyone can structure their workday freely without having to be “online” all the time.
3. The right digital tools for smooth collaboration
Efficient remote work stands or falls with the right tools. Our favorites at 8reasons Digital are:
Project Management: depends on client projects and via Apple Notes
Communication: Slack for messaging, Microsoft Teams for calls
Documentation & Knowledge: proprietary documentation tool (similar to Notion)
Collaboration: Miro, Figma, and Microsoft OneDrive (GDPR-compliant servers in Germany)
Why Remote Work Is More Effective Than Office Work
Remote employees work on average 1.4 days more per month than their office-based colleagues.
75% of remote workers report being more productive than in the office.
Companies that enable remote work experience 25% higher employee satisfaction.
The benefits of remote work are clear:
- Higher productivity: Fewer distractions, more focus.
- Happier employees: Better work-life balance, less stress.
- Access to top talent: Companies can hire the best professionals worldwide.
And yet, many companies ignore these facts and cling to outdated office models.
Conclusion
The future belongs to flexible work models
Mandatory office returns are a step backward. Companies that insist on them put unnecessary pressure on themselves and will struggle in the long term to retain—or even find—talented employees. Home office, on the other hand, provides access to the entire talent pool, for example in Germany.
The truth is:
- Remote work works—if done correctly.
- With clear structures, digital tools, and a culture of trust, home office can be significantly more productive than the office.
- Companies like 8reasons Digital and iits-consulting → prove it’s possible, with over 128 employees across Germany, Austria, Spain, and Peru.
- Less commuting means less stress, more time, and a genuine contribution to environmental protection.
