The expert called the risks of mass removal for employees

The transition of companies to hybrid formats and the return of employees to the office is becoming a noticeable trend in the Russian labor market. For businesses, this is a way to build manageable processes and teamwork, while for performers it is a reason to be wary of changes. However, it is offline interaction that can reduce the level of professional anxiety and emotional burnout. Inna Filippova, the operating director of the SOK smart office network, told Izvestia on February 21.

Over the past few years, the massive switch to remote has changed the approach to work and brought new risks to the business. Employees face feelings of isolation, increased anxiety and difficulties with self-organization, and the problem of emotional burnout turned out to be more pronounced. The blurred boundaries between home and work made it impossible to switch fully, and constant exposure to the digital environment created the effect of a continuous schedule.

"The remote format, with all its advantages, enhances the feeling of loneliness, employees solve tasks in isolation, without the ability to quickly share feedback or receive emotional support from the team," said Filippova.

According to her, digital communication can also be a source of additional stress: messages can be easily misinterpreted, and the lack of a lively reaction increases the feeling of uncertainty.

The difference between the highest and lowest average salary exceeded 200 thousand rubles.

Against this background, offline interaction plays a compensating role. The presence of other people in the workplace can reduce anxiety levels due to a sense of involvement in the overall process. Even short informal contacts, such as talking over coffee, discussing plans in the hallway, or having lunch together, help relieve emotional stress faster and avoid being left alone with the problem.

"Live communication gives the employee confirmation that his work is part of the overall work, and the difficulties are not unique. This reduces internal pressure and helps to find solutions faster," the expert explained.

In an offline environment, it is easier to ask a clarifying question and exchange feedback without feeling the formal control that online communication can entail.

According to Filippova, the office space itself plays an important role. Modern flexible spaces are increasingly being designed not only as a place to perform tasks, but also as an environment for social connections. Informal contact areas, meeting rooms for short meetings, communal kitchens and lounge spaces stimulate spontaneous interactions that cannot be replicated online, but they create a sense of belonging and support.

"When an office becomes a place where you can not only work, but also recover, switch, talk, and feel like part of a community, it reduces anxiety and works for the long—term sustainability of employees," the expert concluded.

On the same day, Maria Agapova, HR manager of the service for automating work with freelancers at Solar Staff, said that the increase in the number of employees transferred to part-time work may indicate hidden unemployment and structural changes in the labor market. When a company reduces working hours, but formally retains an employee on staff, this is a way to reduce wages without official layoffs. For statistics, this is employment, but in fact a person does not receive income and may look for additional sources of income.

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