Call me old school, but I’d rather work from office

I spent some quality time at home alone a couple of weeks ago, not by choice, and found myself pondering a question I’d never considered until the pandemic rocked our world. Do I prefer working remotely, or at my desk in a traditional office environment? 
A nasty cough, cold and light fever forced me to stay home earlier this month, on a busy Monday no less. It made no sense to expose the rest of our staff, and potentially customers, to the bug that had bitten me, so on this day the choice was obvious. We have a remote work station all ready to go at the News-Register, with the necessary networking software loaded and ready to launch, giving staff members complete access to our server and everything needed to get the job done.
I have to admit I was impressed with how simple technology made this transition, which I first experienced back in the early days of the pandemic when I tested positive for COVID-19. I expected a sluggish computer screen and delayed flow of information, but instead felt as though I was sitting at my desk, processing emails, placing ad orders, editing photos and editorial content. Not a bad gig, actually.
When you’re not feeling well, working remote is convenient, safer for all concerned, and probably a faster remedy to getting over whatever ails you, as you can take meds and naps as needed to get through the day. I’ve never been one to take sick days unless I literally can’t function. That’s probably not the smartest approach, but that’s just me.
Apparently a lot of folks, especially the younger generation, think differently. Our two daughters work remotely, almost 100 percent, though both say they make a concerted effort from time to time to work from a coffee shop or office setting simply to get some human interaction. On a broader scale, we’ve all read reports about a mass migration toward a remote workforce. Larger companies, I saw in a recent report on 60 Minutes, have seen a drastic reduction in the potential labor pool if they don’t offer at least a hybrid mix of working from home and/or the office. 
All of which stirs mixed emotions for me. When I’m at home, I can be a little more productive, to be honest, without the phone ringing or other distractions, though I wonder if all employees can stay focused on the task at hand. There are pros and cons, to be sure.
Call me old school, but I value the face-to-face interaction between co-workers and customers, especially in my line of work. As co-owner of a small business, it’s just harder to stay engaged, to help put out little fires before they flame up, and to react to the local news of the day from my home office. For me at least, that sense of connection is best created live and in person.
I’d be curious to hear which work setting some of you prefer, given a choice ...
KURT JOHNSON can be reached at kjohnson@ hamilton.net