This Indian Billionaire Founder Says Work From Home Is Damaging For Employees; Sparks Debate

CRED founder Kunal Shah started a twitter discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of working from home.

On Sunday, Mr Shah shared his take on the impact of work from home (WFH), saying that it could be “damaging” in the long run.

Working from home has become the norm during the pandemic as several companies have had to move from traditional workspaces to digital ones in early 2020. Nearly two years later, as the world continues to battle the virus, many professionals are continuing to work from home while others have returned to office. 

In his tweet, Kunal Shah expressed that the impact of work from home on the youth is the same as the impact of studying at home on children. Elaborating on what the impact is, he said working from home did not foster any real bonds or social skills. 

“No real bonds. No real social or network skills. Illusion of understanding and learning. No osmosis,” wrote the 38-year-old founder of fintech company CRED, adding that WFH was “comfortable but damaging in the long run.”

Impact of WFH on youth is the same as impact of children who study at home.

No real bonds. No real social or network skills. Illusion of understanding and learning. No osmosis.

Comfortable but damaging in the long run.

— Kunal Shah (@kunalb11) February 6, 2022

The tweet sparked a heated discussion on the microblogging platform.

Many agreed with Mr Shah’s take but others pointed out that the benefits of working from home have far outweighed the disadvantages. 

“People don’t progress at the office by doing a mundane job. They progress by finding new exciting alternatives,” wrote Kashif Raza, founder of Bitinning.

Kunal when there was no school or college people still progressed.

People don’t progress at the office by doing a mundane job they progress by finding new exciting alternatives.

Many people who did WFH are now happy & found something else to work on for the rest of their life.

— Kashif Raza (@simplykashif) February 6, 2022

Others pointed out that work from home has translated into more opportunities for people in remote locations.

Strongly disagree!

Remote work is democratizing opportunity. And the youngsters of today, mostly the ones living in poor countries, will benefit the most.

For the first time ever, they’ll have access to opportunities that their parents didn’t!https://t.co/qEUVjXECvV

— Sergio Pereira ???? (@SergioRocks) February 6, 2022

With respect, disagree on this part.

Some job don’t require work from offices.

Most people don’t love daily reporting to offices and are happy with WFH.

WHF is a step towards location based freedom for many.

— Vivek Joshi (@mejoshivivek) February 6, 2022

Meanwhile, others agreed with Mr Shah. “When you go to office, travel to work, meet people in person work with them, see them work, travel for work you learn millions of thing,” a Twitter user wrote.

Both of you can be exceptions, not benchmark. Kunal has point according to me. When you go to office, travel to work, meet people in person work with them, see them work, travel for work you learn millions of thing.

Fault lies in assuming all 10 out of 10 folks can do your way

— Hitesh Joshi (@joshi_speaks) February 6, 2022

Prakash Mallya, Managing Director for Intel India’s Sales & Marketing Group, wrote: “We are social beings and don’t see the WFH to be a sustainable one in the long term.”

Totally agree Kunal and I think it’s not only relevant for youth but for all employees. We are social beings and don’t see the WFH to be a sustainable one in the long term if that’s the only model available for employees.

— Prakash Mallya (@PrakashMallya) February 6, 2022

Over the last two years, Kunal Shah has tweeted several times about the benefits and the drawbacks of remote work. On March 13, 2020, he wrote that “WFH is more productive for meetings. Virtual ones end sooner, are more focused, have less bakar.”

I can’t be the only one who feels WFH is more productive for meetings.

Virtual ones end sooner, are more focused, have less bakar.

— Kunal Shah (@kunalb11) March 13, 2020

Ten days later, Mr Shah said that juniors who learned by observing their seniors in officer were suffering because of WFH.

Often juniors at work learn by simply observing and overhearing seniors and that process is suffering in efficient WFH world.

Seniors should consider inviting juniors for some meetings just to observe on mute.

— Kunal Shah (@kunalb11) March 23, 2020

4CommentsWhere do you stand on this debate?

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