The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the employment landscape towards working remotely, with more and more employees recognizing and embracing the significant benefits of this new, flexible schedule. However, remote jobs are not all sunshine and roses; you might have to face unforeseen challenges.
Scroll down to learn the pros and cons of working from home!
In this article:
10+ Advantages Of Working From Home
1. Increased Employee Productivity
Escaping the traditional working environment, home-based employees witness a surge in productivity. According to a survey conducted by Erogotron, 40% of 1,000 remote workers worked longer hours than when they were in the office. The National Bureau of Economic Research has estimated that these additional hours could amount to up to 193 per year.
The question is: how can employees boost their performance at home? Compared to the hustle and flurry at an office, remote workers thrive in a quiet and less-distracting work environment. As a result, they can focus on their tasks and deliver higher productivity levels.
2. Work-Life Balance
Studies by Ergtron and Future Forum highlight a key benefit of remote and hybrid work: improved work-life balance. These studies found that a significant portion of remote workers report achieving a better balance between work and personal life.
One of the key advantages of hybrid offices is the flexibility in scheduling, allowing workers to structure their workday around their needs. Consequently, they can juggle multiple tasks effectively, from running errands, attending gym classes, taking children to school, or doing side hustles.
3. Reduced Commute Stress
Navigating through congested traffic during rush hours is truly a nightmare for workers. Statistics from the Auto Insurance Center show that average commuters spend over 100 hours stuck in traffic each year. Not to mention, they may get stuck in traffic jams for about 41 hours annually and longer commute times on busy roads, adding stress and anxiety before the workday even begins.
Additionally, bad traffic conditions and long daily commutes put significant pressure on your physical health, potentially leading to increased blood sugar and high cholesterol.
Working from home eliminates all of those issues, freeing up some time for other healthy habits and supporting workers’ overall well-being.
4. Diverse Inclusivity
Remote work enables businesses to cast a wider net when head-hunting. By eliminating the need for physical offices, companies can attract talents from different geographic locations, cultural backgrounds, and socio-economic statuses without geographical barriers.
Such a tendency fosters cultural diversity within the workforce. Diversity brings together individuals with unique perspectives and experiences, which empowers the company with enhanced innovation. Additionally, remote work empowers employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance, encouraging a sense of belonging within their local communities. It’s a win-win situation for both businesses and employees!
5. Cost Savings
USA Today says American remote workers can save up to $6,000 annually. These savings result from various reduced costs, such as fuel and transportation, car maintenance, office dress code, lunches out, etc.
Businesses also financially benefit from a hybrid or fully remote working environment. According to the US Career Institute, they can cut down nearly $11,000 per year for each employee working remotely. FlexJobs indicates that WFH policies are a major contributor to their long-term cost reductions, saving significantly on real estate expenses, moving allowances, or electricity and water bills.
6. More Job Opportunities
As mentioned above, geographic flexibility creates more work opportunities by eliminating recruitment barriers. In addition, it creates favorable conditions for minority groups. Future Forum reported that Black workers find it easier to handle stress when they work remotely. Women with young children and people with chronic health conditions can also find their places in the remote job market more easily.
7. Positive Environmental Impact
WFH positively impacts the environment thanks to reduced travel-related emissions. By working remotely at least half-time, 3.9 million pre-pandemic employees helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as removing over 600,000 cars from the road in a year.
Furthermore, telecommuters can take better control over eco-friendly practices. For example, you can adjust devices to energy-saving modes and turn off unnecessary lights or air conditioners to optimize energy usage. These simple yet impactful environmental choices have a cumulative effect equivalent to planting 91 million trees.
8. Personalized Workplace
Working from home means you have the freedom to customize your workspace to your preferences. Invest in an ergonomic chair to ensure comfort, or simply turn on your favorite songs at maximum volume; it’s up to you!
This flexibility is particularly beneficial for individuals with specific medical requirements. For example, a person with SAD wants nothing but a desk near a window where they can bask in natural sunlight.
Best of all, you can handle tasks from anywhere you want. A change in the workplace can inspire your creativity and boost your performance. Visit any place you wish to, from a coffee shop to a resort, as long as you stay connected to your work.
9. Healthier Habits & Lifestyle
Remote work life empowers your control over your diet. Instead of high-calorie drinks and snacks, you have time to prepare home-cooked meals. You can also incorporate short bursts of exercise throughout the day.
Unlike in a traditional office where breaks might be limited, you can take regular breaks and participate in physical activities that alleviate tension in your shoulders, neck, and back.
10. Comfortable Environment
Working from home fosters a sense of belonging, which can contribute to increased job satisfaction and potentially higher productivity. For instance, most workers believe comfortable loungewear, such as pajamas or exercise outfits, keeps them active all day.
Meanwhile, some prefer to work in an oversized chair with their feet resting on the arm. Though such a sitting position is not recommended for prolonged periods, it undeniably helps reduce stress levels. Undoubtedly, your morale at work soars when surrounded by the things you love.
11. Reduced Office Germs
In addition to the significant benefits of a healthier lifestyle, hybrid working prevents the spread of diseases on a large scale. A crowded, confined workplace is the breeding ground for viruses, particularly when someone is sick. Remote work policies’ efficacy in limiting the transmission of diseases has been proven during the COVID-19 pandemic.
12. Increased Job Satisfaction
With numerous great things above, individuals working from home are often associated with higher job satisfaction. As a result, their commitment to the business and employee morale increase. This drives other positive outcomes, such as lower turnover rates, the development of a healthy company culture, and potentially higher revenue generation.
5 Disadvantages To Consider
1. Blurred Boundaries Between Work Hours And Life Hours
Not everyone possesses good time management skills and strict self-discipline to separate their personal lives and normal working hours. NordLayer research has indicated that the average work time of individuals in the US, Canada, and the UK increased by 2 hours when they worked from home.
When you let the workload creep into your leisure time, it wipes out the benefits of remote work. Overworking puts your health at risk, causing many other negative effects.
Hence, it is best to establish clear boundaries for your responsibilities. Try to maintain a consistent routine and create a ritual to call it a day. You should also make a to-do list for the day and turn off your computer when you have ticked off all the boxes.
2. Lack Of Motivation
Some individuals struggle to maintain peak productivity due to a lack of motivation when working independently. For these people, the office dynamics and the presence of colleagues ignite their work spirit.
Plus, some find their career path unclear due to a shrinking professional network. The ambiguity of formal review sessions and promotion opportunities diminishes the drive to strive for new achievements and acquire new skills.
3. Potential Isolation And Bias
Social media organization Buffer has warned about a major downside of working from home: the lack of social interaction. Some people even suffer from bias against those who work full-time in office settings. For example, reporting tasks solely through software may result in a lack of recognition from supervisors for their achievements.
To combat isolation, maintain effective communication within your organization. Make time for face-to-face meetings with fellow office workers to nurture your social relationships. Ultimately, express your concerns if you think you feel alienated or undervalued.
4. Home Temptations
The biggest challenge of working from home is managing distractions in your comfortable space. Unlike in a traditional office environment where supervision helps you stay focused, you may find yourself stuck in household tasks, childcare responsibilities, or personal indulgences.
In my experience, it’s okay to loosen yourself a bit during the workday. For example, you could walk your dog for 20 minutes and commit to returning to work immediately afterward. Taking short breaks to engage in enjoyable activities can help you reduce stress and re-energize for the tasks ahead.
5. Disconnection From Team Dynamic
Working from home means you no longer spend as much time chatting or having lunch with your colleagues, which might take a toll on team cohesion and collaboration.
To overcome this disadvantage, do not hesitate to initiate outings or coffee dates to bridge the gap. When handling work, it is crucial to communicate properly with your team members to minimize unnecessary misunderstandings.
Conclusion
Despite the numerous benefits of remote work, it’s important to be aware of potential challenges that can impact employee well-being and team dynamics. If you want to bring your physical office to your home, discuss it directly with your employer to establish a clear boundary between work and personal life. You should also practice planning your work and commit to the established routine for optimal results.
