Pros & Cons of Working From Home

In recent years, working from home has become a trend that many people consider their preferred way to work. Some even go full-time with it because of the many benefits it presents. But there are those who believe that working from home does have its drawbacks, which are warranted given the instances of those who are working from home saying it is a challenging environment.

So, what do you need to know about the pros and cons of working from home before you take the plunge? Here is a brief rundown of these pros and cons to serve as your guide:

Pros of Working From Home

When you work from home, you become your own boss and make the major decisions regarding your work. This motivates you to become accountable for your work and finish it on time.

• Saves Up On Costs And Time

Since you will be working from home, you don’t have to worry about commuting to work every day. This will save you money on transportation, which can stack up when you total your transport expenses. The amount of time you will save on transportation can be used to do other tasks to help you prepare for your schedule.

Working from home can help you become more productive compared to working from the office. There is less noise and other distractions, which is important since you need to be focused on the tasks you have. You will also be able to take breaks when you need to and prevent stress from building up.

Working from home also helps you gain a flexible schedule, which means you can work whenever you want, even outside usual office hours. You will be able to attend to your errands easily without it affecting your work. Some employers even allow workers to sort out their schedules in advance while trusting that they can complete the tasks.

If you are sick, you don’t have to worry about causing trouble for your coworkers if you work from home. Since you work from home, you can get the rest you need and complete your tasks without spreading your sickness to your colleagues. But remember to take the time off to rest if you are ill.

• Open New Job Opportunities

Finally, you can use the opportunity opened by working from home to get new job opportunities. For example, if you cannot work in traditional roles due to your condition or family situation, you can pick tasks that will allow you to have a flexible work schedule. You can also apply for jobs in growing sectors like education, technology and marketing.

Cons of Working From Home

• Less Personal Interactions

Since you work from home, you will mostly be working independently. Your interactions with your colleagues will be minimal or even non-existent. If you thrive on building connections, you may find the isolation stifling.

• Expensive Investment In A Home Office

Depending on your remote work, you may have to invest in expensive equipment to complete your job perfectly. If you don’t have a home office, you must fund everything.

• The Temptation To Work Longer Hours

Working from home can also tempt you to work longer hours than you should to cover more work or take on work. If you cannot control your schedule, you may work even when you should take a break or spend time with your family.

Since you are at home, you may become distracted from your work by your chores or the people around you. Once you get distracted, you may work beyond your schedule and miss your deadline.

• Lack Of Access To Immediate Information

You also will not have access to key business information that would have been available if you had worked in the office. Some key business information can be about the progress of the projects you are working on or other opportunities you could have applied for.

• Flexibility May Become Impossible

You may also have problems creating a healthy and flexible schedule every day. There will be times when you can follow through on your schedule and others when you can’t. If you want a rigid schedule, you may be at a disadvantage with this work style.

Working from home is not for everyone, so making the switch will require a lot of planning and analysis before you push for it. If you can overcome the cons of working from home, consider it for your career. If not, it is best to negotiate for a better work setup with your employer. Ultimately, so long as you can focus and do your job well, your location won’t matter.

To taste success in freelancing, another great resource will be my book here.