by Susan Paige
Working remotely is at an all-time high. Hiring managers predict, by 2027, thirty-three percent of American workers will be working from home. One-third of the U.S. working population including freelancers will be remote workers.
There are advantages and disadvantages of working from home. Not everyone is successful when it comes to working remotely. There is also a population of workers that prefer to work outside the home.
For these reasons, medium and large employers will need to maintain a physical location. Plus, there are positions that may not fit the work from home model. This includes some IT roles, mailroom staff, and customer-facing employees.
Working from home does not have to be permanent. Some employers use the option to work remotely a few days a week, as a productivity incentive.
Are you looking for a work from home position? First, consider these advantages and disadvantages of working from home.
Advantages of Working from Home
In this section, we will discuss the pros of working from home. For some people, it’s a dream come true. The benefits of working from home often exceed the convenience of not going into work.
For some individuals, working remoting is the only way they can stay employed.
No Traffic to Get Through
Commuting back and forth to work is stressful for many workers. Working from home vs office automatically falls in the win column when you eliminate the drive.
You can add anywhere from an hour to four hours of free time to your day by removing your commute.
Saves Money on Car Expenses
If you’re not driving to work, you’re not buying as much gas. Add to your savings, the reduced cost of car maintenance.
Your daily drive to work increases the number of oil changes, tire purchases, and other wear and tear.
You are Home When the Kids Leave and Return from School
A huge plus for parents is not having to deal with childcare. This will be huge financial savings. Even if you still have to get the kids to and from school you won’t be as stressed.
This benefit of working from home can improve the quality of your relationship with your spouse and kids.
You Don’t Need Work Clothes
Yes, you should still get up in the mornings and get dressed. Being able to work from home will give you the option to dress down. Imagine wearing blue jeans and a tee instead of a suit and heels.
There are No Annoying Co-Workers
Some people never find their place in corporate America because they struggle in dealing with multiple personalities. If you are someone who prefers a quiet isolated workspace, being in the midst of low-wall cubicles is a struggle.
There is little privacy, and coworkers often cross boundaries.
The Temperature is Set Where You want It
Are you always cold? When you’re working from home you get to set the temperature. No more being stuck under the AC vent or by the window where the sun shines brightest.
Disadvantages of Working from Home
There are a few pros to working from home. Employees have to weigh the good against the bad to determine what is right for them. Some of the things people love about working from home can be a hindrance to someone else.
You’re Easily Distracted
One of the cons of working from home is avoiding distractions. Your favorite TV talk show is on. or you’re tempted to watch the shows piling up on the DVR.
Add to the distractions the desire to check social media or talk to friends on the phone. To work from home you must stay focused.
If You are not Disciplined Enough
Not being discipline can lead to a drop in productivity. Your employer will be monitoring your work closer. If they see you are falling behind you could be forced to return to the office.
Treat your remote location the same way you would an office. Create a space where there is no television. Keep your personal phone on silent.
If needed, remind your children you are working and can’t be interrupted. Give your friends and spouse the same talk.
You’ll Begin to Feel Isolated
Disadvantages of working from home include no longer feeling like you are a part of a group. You’ll communicate less with coworkers. There will be times when you won’t receive invites to staff luncheons.
When it comes to meetings and presentations, remote workers call into a conference line. You won’t get to appear in person.
Over time you may begin to feel isolated or even depressed. Discuss your feelings with someone. If it means going into the office a few times, see if your manager can arrange a space.
You May Not Get Out the House as Much
You wake up one morning and realize you haven’t left the house in days. To overcome these feelings you have to create a routine. Go for a morning walk, go out for lunch, or try a co-work space a few hours a week.
If you were already a homebody, working from home vs office could make you a hermit. Pay close attention to your moods. if you feel down acknowledge it.
Children are Home
Some parents want to work from home to be with their kids. Others find their kids to be a distraction, especially during the summer months.
If you can’t find a work/life balance, working from home may not be for you.
Technical Issues Means Going into the Office
Experiencing technical problems at the office means waiting for IT to come and fix the problem. If you experience issues at work that IT can’t troubleshoot over the phone, means coming into the office.
If your kids are at home or your spouse has the car, you may be forced to use your paid time off for missed hours.
Have We Helped With Your Decision?
These advantages and disadvantages of working from home may seem simple.
We hope the information was useful. Check-out our other articles. We cover many interesting topics.
So, what do you think ?