Employees may find remote work appealing, but it wouldn’t be such a strong trend if employers didn’t see the benefits from their side of the desk as well. Studies proved that companies with work-from-home policies can increase employee productivity, reduce turnover, and lower organizational costs.
To work efficiently from home, make sure you have the necessary technology, a distinct workplace, adequate Internet connectivity, a manageable schedule that you can keep to, and ways to communicate with others.
What is Work from home?
Working from home (WFH) refers to an employee who works from their home, apartment, or another place of residence rather than from the office. Many businesses have a WFH policy, or remote work policy, that allows employees to work from home full-time or as needed especially when COVID-19 strikes.
WFH has both advantages and disadvantages
Let’s face it, no matter where you work, you’re still working.
As such, should you work from home or a place of business? It all boils down to the environment in which you’ll be most effective, as well as the business sector you’re in.
Here some of the pros and cons of working from home
PROS:
Flexibility and Agility
Working from home allow for more flexibility and agility in working arrangements. Employees may be better positioned and more willing to work flexible hours, such as earlier or later in the day, or even on weekends if they are no longer tied to an office. This could assist you in meeting certain business needs, such as trading with customers in a different time zone.
No more commuting.
Commuting wastes time, which is just one of the drawbacks of getting to and from work. More than 30 minutes of daily one-way commuting is linked to higher levels of stress and anxiety, and studies show that commuting 10 miles to work each day is linked to health problems such as:
- A higher cholesterol level
- Blood sugar levels that are too high
- Depression risk is higher.
By eliminating your commute, you can better support your mental and physical health. The time saved can be used for things other than work, such as getting more sleep in the morning, spending more time with family, working out, or eating a healthy breakfast.
Wear clothes that are comfortable.
You can wear your college sweatpants with the letters peeling off or the leggings your friends aren’t aware you own.
A Customizable Office
A great advantage of remote work is the ability to set up a comfortable home office. You can set up your home office and make it whatever you want, whether you simply want a more ergonomic chair or you have health issues that necessitate specialized office equipment.
Working from home has been shown to reduce stress
WFH provides more time for hobbies and interests, and improves personal relationships, among other things, making remote, flexible workers happier and more loyal employees.
Working from home can also improve your health in several ways:
- More physical activity time
- The ability to design a comfortable and ergonomic work environment.
- Can recover from illness or surgery at home with less risk of infection
- Caregiving for a health problem or disability is simple.
- Having the ability to eat more healthily
In summary, working from home has a several advantages (WFH). Employees who work from home have a better work-life balance and are more productive because they don’t have to commute to work and can complete tasks faster in a focused environment. WFH is also good for the environment.
CONS:
Security concerns and a lack of office equiptment
It is not easy for everyone to set up a home office with a high-end laptop or desktop, a high-speed internet connection, and other equipment. Working over the internet may also make it difficult to access sensitive company documents that are otherwise readily available in the workplace. Furthermore, sharing those documents could pose a security risk.
There is a lack of community and collaboration.
As a result, man cannot live or work efficiently and effectively on his own. While some employees may be ecstatic at the prospect of working alone, away from the distractions of the office, others may find it difficult to work long hours and collaborate with only a computer screen and no face-to-face interaction or communication with coworkers.
Performance that is unmonitored and frequent breaks
Working alone can be a difficult task. Employees in this position are expected to keep track of their work performance. Self-regulation is a difficult task, and employees’ discretion is required. When breaks and work go unmonitored, employees may tend to slack off and take frequent breaks, resulting in more break time and less work time.
Distractions and an unfavorable work environment
Employees must concentrate and focus while working to achieve the desired results. With distractions such as family members clamoring for attention or other household noises, it proves to be extremely difficult. Not every home can provide the same level of comfort as an office space.
To summarize, domestic distractions and interruptions, difficulty separating home and work life, the initial cost of setting up, and possibly loneliness/isolation are all issues that the WFH setup is dealing with.
Examples of jobs you can do from the comfort of your own home
-
Virtual Assistant
-
Accountant
-
Consultant
-
Project Manager
-
Customer Service Representative
-
Writer
-
Program Manager
-
Business Development Manager
-
Account Manager/Account Executive
-
Recruiter
-
Sales Representative
-
Web Developer
-
Medical Coder
-
Territory Sales Manager
-
Data Analyst
-
Editor
-
Case Manager
-
UX/UI Designer
It is still up to the companies to decide whether or not to offer these work-at-home opportunities.
Tip!
Develop a homeworking routine that prepares you for a day of work, rather than a day spent snoozing on the couch with your laptop while Netflix plays in the background, or working late at night when you could be relaxing.
Never lose motivation; you must always strive to be a better person for yourself, your family, and your employer.
0 Comments