The Pros and Cons of Working from Home

More people are starting to work from home than ever before. Many people choose to start their own businesses from home. Others have employers that allow them to work remotely from home some of the time.

It might sound like the best idea ever but working from home is not as easy as it sounds. Here are some pros and cons of working from home:

The Pros

1. Time and money saved

If you have a long commute to your office, you’ll save a lot of time and money when you get to work from home. The time you would normally spend sitting in traffic jams can be used constructively to complete tasks. The money you save on the commute can be spent on other items in your budget.

2. Less formal dress-code

Unless you do video calling when you work from home, you can ‘go to the office’ in your pajamas if the mood takes you. It’s a proven fact that people are more productive when they are comfortably dressed.

3. A more flexible work schedule

You may find that the job you do from home allows you a certain amount of flexibility in your work schedule. You can tailor your work around other commitments. This is an attractive option for parents who want to spend a part of their day with their children. They then carry on with their workday later that evening.

4. You can relocate if you want to

Having a job that’s ‘portable’ means that you can move anywhere and keep your job. That can be advantageous if your spouse or partner gets a promotion that means a relocation.

The Cons

1. Self-discipline

Working from home takes self-discipline. It’s easy to find a thousand other things to do at home rather than settling down to work. Since there’s no one watching over your shoulder, you can find yourself tempted to put work off until later. You must be able to ignore distractions that your home presents such as a barking dog, a comfortable couch, and sunshine in your garden.

2. Workaholics beware

Working from home can result in you doing more than you ever did in your previous job. If you have workaholic tendencies, you’ll tend to go overboard working from home. If you’re starting a business, nursing it through its infancy will mean long hours. Since your office is a few feet away, you’ll find yourself spending more time there.

3. Mixing work and home

The mixture of the work and home environments can be disastrous if not well-managed. It’s impossible to leave the stress of work at the office because the office is in your home. You may become fixated on work and allow it to seep into all areas of your home life too.

4. Loneliness

Working from home can be lonely. You don’t get to interact and collaborate with others and feed off their creativity. It can get a little depressing, especially if you’re the type of person who doesn’t like to be isolated.