Pros and Cons of Working from Home
Working from home can also be called a remote job and it is trending globally. People work from home to gain extra income as a result of technological advancement and flexible remote jobs. During the Covid-19 pandemic, most countries were locked down and the only way to get a source of income is to work from home. Working from home is becoming popular by the day, that in years to come it may overtake physical setting jobs. Working from home may be beneficial but it has its own flaws and this article will explore the Pros and Cons of working from home.
What is working from home?
A work-from-home job is a job you can perform at home and they often require an internet connection so that you can connect with colleagues and managers. Working from home is very flexible and it negates most of the traditional aspects of going to work and dressing code.
Examples of jobs you can do from home
- Blogger
- Online Course Tutor
- Affiliate Marketer
- Copywriter, Translator, or Proofreader
- Web or Graphic Designer
- Customer Support Representative
- Accountant
- Virtual Assistant
Pros of Working from Home
There are numerous benefits of working from home and they are:
- More Freedom
- Fewer Expenses
- Flexibility
- Lack of Official Distractions
- High Productivity
- Increased Technical and Communication Skills
- Connectivity Across Locations
More Freedom
One of the core benefits of working from home is more independence and autonomy in your job which may be absent in a physical work setting. You are your own boss when working from home and you also work at your own pace. Working from home gives you a level of freedom you can hardly get in a physical work setting but you have to discipline yourself to achieve a task.
Fewer Expenses
Working from home saves you from spending extra money on transportation, clothing, and meals. By working at home you get to save a lot and spend little. Working at home is highly economical if you want to save extra income.
Flexibility
Working from home is very flexible and convenient. For example, telecommuting jobs are not affected by normal business hours, making it easier to attend to other appointments and schedules. Working from home is highly beneficial to parents and students with busy schedules; for parents, it makes it easier for them to accommodate their families. Due to the flexible nature of working from home, it can be combined with physical work to get extra income.
Lack of Official Distractions
There are no official distractions when you work from home and examples of such distractions are: Coworkers talking, phone ringing, and office equipment or gadgets cause a lot of distractions in a physical work environment. Homework settings do not have this kind of distraction and so it makes it very easy to get inspiration and ideas through your brainstorming session.
High Productivity
Working independently in a quieter environment or calm environment can lead to more productivity and efficacy. Increased productivity at home is due to the fact that you can move freely and take breaks when you need one, this will motivate you and help you to be more efficient. Working from home is less stressful and more productive.
Increased Technical and Communication Skills
Working from home requires the use of applications to communicate with managers and attend online meetings which will require emails, phone calls, video calls, and chats. Applications that are used for online meetings are Skype, Zoom, and many more. All these communication platforms may not be used in a physical setting and so this will enhance your technical and communication skills.
Connectivity across Locations
Telecommuting can be highly beneficial to multi-divisional companies that have branches across the globe. Through this synergy, you will get to meet professionals in diverse industries and you will learn a lot from them which will build your career.
Cons of Working from Home
Working from home is beneficial but it has its own shortcomings and they are:
- Reduced Social Interaction
- Distraction at Home
- Lack of Work-Life Balance
- Threat to Productivity
- Limits Opportunities
Reduce Social Interaction
You will become very lonely if you spend the majority of your time working independently from home. One of the benefits of a physical work environment is the interaction or relationship you build with your coworkers which cannot be gotten in a work-home environment. Some remote workplaces offer a regular team to encourage socialization.
Distraction at Home
One can also get distracted working from home and examples of such are: Neighbors’ activities, pets, children or babies crying, traffic, friends coming to visit, and many more. These distractions can reduce productivity and lead to a lack of motivation. Use headphones to play relaxing music to block these distractions.
Lack of Work-Life Balance
One of the biggest disadvantages of working from home is that it makes it difficult for you to separate your personal life from your professional life. Most people that do remote jobs find it very difficult to balance them both. The best thing to do is to set boundaries and let your family know about your work hours and your personal time.
Threat to Productivity
Working from home can increase your productivity but it can also be a risk to your productivity. Working from home gives room for a high level of freedom which makes it very difficult to stay focused. You may find yourself in a stronghold of a mood swing or maybe an emotional trauma; this can affect your productivity and will slow you down. In addition, working from home may also make it very difficult to meet up deadlines because of the level of freedom.
Limits Opportunities
Working from home may increase opportunities through networking but it can also reduce opportunities to speak face to face with coworkers and get first-hand information. In addition, you cannot meet people face to face at conferences, seminars, company, trips, or training. Working from home blocks you from communicating with people and who knows what opportunity may come your way if you meet face to face with such people.
In a nutshell, Working from home is very beneficial but it also has its own shortcomings, evaluate yourself and see which one will best work for you, and then give it a shot.