If a non-existent commute and having full control of your work environment appeal to you, then working from home could be a great move. Then again, some people experience isolation and too many distractions when they decide to start telecommuting.
Here we weigh up the pros and cons of working from home.
Pro: You can get more work done
Without the distractions of the office, constant interruptions, co-workers chatting, meetings, and so on, you could be much more productive when working from home.
Cons: You can be easily distracted
It requires a great deal of motivation and self-discipline to work from home. If you think you’ll find the allure of household chores, your games console or sneaking off to an 11am yoga class too tempting, then it may not be for you.
Pro: You may get to choose your own working hours
If you’re self-employed, you get to choose your own working hours, and some companies that allow you to work from home are flexible about when you have to be at your desk (or sofa). This means that if you want to organise your day so you can make that 11am yoga class, or pick-up your kids from school, or take a break to do the ironing whilst watching Loose Women, you can.
Con: It can be hard to switch off
When you’re working from home, sometimes the line between work and your downtime can become blurred. If you’re answering your emails from the comfort of your living room in the middle of the day, what’s to stop you from doing the same at 10pm? You need to be strict with yourself in order to maintain the work/life balance you’re looking for.
Pros: You don’t have to commute
Just imagine what you could do with those extra two hours a day, never mind the money you could save.
Cons: You could find yourself stuck indoors all day
If you don't need to leave your pyjamas to get to work, you can risk not leaving the house at all. Make sure you commit to leaving the house each day, even if it’s just to go for a walk to top up on that all-important vitamin D and exercise.
Pros: You don’t have to deal with office politics
Internal affairs and toxic work environments can be a huge distraction when you need to get work done. It can also be source of unneeded stress and pressure in your life that your physical and emotional well-being just doesn't need. When it's just you and the cat, all those problems go away.
Cons: You can feel isolated
Working from home by yourself all day means you don’t get the usual interactions with your co-workers, which can leave you feeling a bit lonely and out-of-the-loop.
Ultimately it depends on how you work best. One of the biggest pros of working from home is the freedom it gives you, but sometimes having too much freedom can inhibit your productivity.
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