Work From Home Is Back in the Conversation. But Maybe We've Been Asking the Wrong Question

Reported by: Nurul Addina Azime

We’ve all been here before, haven't we? The debate over where we work—home versus office—feels like a familiar script we’ve played out countless times. But as recent encouragement from the Malaysian government puts flexible work back in the spotlight, it’s worth asking ourselves: are we stuck debating the wrong question?

Following recent encouragement from Malaysia's Human Resources Ministry for employers to consider flexible work arrangements where operationally suitable, WFH has returned to the workplace conversation.

Can teams stay productive?
Will communication become more difficult?
How do we ensure work keeps moving?
​
These are valid questions. In fact, many of us asked the same ones a few years ago.

But after experiencing different ways of working over the years, one thing has become clear.

The real challenge isn't whether people are working from home or from the office.
It's whether teams have the right way to work together.

Think about it.

​Have you ever spent half your day searching for the latest version of a document? Chasing updates through WhatsApp, emails, and phone calls? Wondering who is actually working on a task or whether it has already been completed?

These aren't remote work problems.
They are workflow problems.

Whether someone is sitting beside you in the office or working from home, unclear processes will always slow a team down.

At 57Network, we've had the opportunity to work with organisations across different industries, and one thing remains consistent. The teams that adapt best to flexible working aren't necessarily the ones with the biggest offices or the latest gadgets.

At 57Network, we believe flexible work succeeds when work is visible, structured, and connected — not when teams rely on constant chasing or scattered updates.

They're the ones with clear processes, connected systems, and visibility across their work.
When everyone knows what needs to be done, who owns it, and where to find the information they need, work continues naturally—regardless of location.

That's why we believe the conversation should move beyond "Should we work from home?"
Instead, let's ask:

"Do our teams have the right systems to work effectively from anywhere?"

​Technology alone isn't the answer.

The real value comes from creating a way of working where information isn't trapped in someone's inbox, progress doesn't depend on constant follow-up messages, and leaders don't need to ask for status updates every hour because they already have the visibility they need.

Flexible work is no longer just a temporary solution. For many organisations, it's becoming part of how business operates.

As Malaysia continues encouraging suitable workplaces to embrace more flexible arrangements, this could be the perfect opportunity for companies to reflect—not just on where work happens, but on how work happens.

At 57Network, we're passionate about helping organisations build better ways of working through modern work management. Because when work is connected, transparent, and structured, teams can stay productive wherever they are.

After all, the future of work isn't about choosing between the office and home.
It's about creating a workplace where people can do their best work—wherever they happen to be.

Looking Ahead

As companies continue to embrace more flexible ways of working, it's important to remember that there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. Every workplace is different, and understanding the practical considerations is key to making it successful. In our next blog, we'll explore what organisations should consider when designing flexible work arrangements — not only the advantages and challenges, but also the workflow foundations needed to make it work.
​
Stay tuned—we can't wait to share it with you!

References:

• Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia, WFH Guideline MOHR 2024
• Article by Dzulfadhli Bin Lamin / E2 Workforce Consulting,WFH Advisory: Legal Obligations and Practical Considerations