Ten pros and cons of working from home
Author: Barbara Barilová
Date of Publication: 03/11/2022
Nowadays, people's working lives have also changed due to the use of technology in everyday life and the availability of the internet. Actually, more and more people are trying to find a job that offers the opportunity to work from home at least one day a week. In fact, for many people, this is a dream come true as working from home provides them with many benefits. For example, it suits especially mothers, students, or people who travel a lot. In addition, it is common for others to work far away from their place of residence. So, teleworking saves a lot of time and money. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this work and why should employers encourage it more?
10 Advantages of working from home
1. Get rid of the commute:
The good news is that you no longer have to spend time in crowded public transport or stand in long queues every day. Actually, you can save up to 2 hours, which you can easily convert into time for yourself, your family or a longer sleep.
2. Comfortable clothes:
At home, you can get by with comfortable clothes. So, you don’t have to buy formal clothes and spend money on washing and ironing them. Therefore, this is a huge benefit for the environment as well.
3. You work from your own environment:
You can surround yourself with items you love such as flowers and decoration. This can increase your productivity and bring better results at work. In addition, you can put on some nice music in the background, and it's pretty much any time for coffee or tea. So, you are less stressed and more effective in your tasks.
4. Your working hours are more flexible:
This pron gives you pretty much time for household chores, activities and family moments.
5. Spend more time with loved ones:
You can already look forward to sharing breakfast or even lunch together. As soon as you switch off your work computer, take a walk together.
6. You're learning to be more independent:
You may be working on instructions, but at the same time you can't ask a colleague two desks away to do something for you. Thus, you'll benefit from the independence to tackle tasks.
7. You'll improve your technical skills:
You've only been using the computer as a basic tool up to now, and suddenly a group video call is waiting for you. Hence, you'll be able to set up a webcam and printer, load a printer cartridge, start the microphone or synchronize multiple smart devices. Remember that some people might pay to gain that knowledge!
8. Don't get distracted by the hustle and bustle of the office:
While you may miss the regular post-weekend gossip, the reward will be a pleasant calm.
9. Save on lunches and gifts for colleagues:
How many euros a month have you been "overeating" away from home? Were you in the habit of stocking up on gifts for the holidays? This money stays for you and your family.
10. The last benefit will sometimes test your strength.
It's not exactly easy to juggle work and caring for a sick child or partner. However, you have them in your sights and don't have to worry about how they are doing in your absence.
10 Disadvantages of working from home
1. Meeting deadlines:
This is a bit stressful and the bad thing is that you aren’t close to your colleagues so you don’t share your anxiety with them. Sometimes socializing in the workplace helps get rid of stress.
2. Lack of motivation and interaction:
Immediate support from colleagues or even praise from your boss might be missing in a home environment. In some places, you'll need a good dose of self-denial or a lot of calls with your colleagues to fill this gap.
3. The boundary between work and private life is shrinking:
Do you work from both the living room and the kitchen? Do you answer work emails late at night from your bed? Find one permanent place and a specific time for work duties, otherwise you won't get a break. This makes you workaholic and you miss your personal private life. The key is to stand up and turn off the PC when your shift is done.
4. Lack of a routine out of home:
Even a chatty colleague or a colleague with a weird sense of humor can suddenly start to miss you. It's only natural.
5. Some tasks may take longer:
These are especially the ones that involve several of you working on and require complementing or checking up on each other. All it takes is for someone to start slacking off and the team's collaborative efforts get delayed.
6. Bills:
Even if it's not a large amount, the bills for heating, lighting or a new faster internet plan may go up.
7. Falling into a stereotype:
Social natures are not suited to a long-term home office.
8. Multiple things waiting for you at once:
Dog needs walking? Kids can't keep up with homework? Even at home, from time to time, multiple tasks need to be tackled at once. When working from home, it can really pile up.
9. Mood swings:
In order to get work done, do you sometimes lock yourself away from them? Separating work from private life can be challenging.
10. Fatigue and lack of activities
Despite being at home for days in the end, fatigue doesn't bypass you. If you're starting to think negatively, look for new stimuli to get you going again. Exercising or having an outdoor hobby will motivate you a lot!