The dream of many people is to work from their homes. However, while there are lots of benefits associated with it, there are many pitfalls as well. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages.
Today, working from home option is becoming increasingly viable as many professionals in various industries are now seeking a better work-life balance. Flexible policies are now being adopted by companies to accommodate shifting workplace priorities and realities. This is now perceived by employees as a perfect means to remain in the workface and continue to be employed, thus getting all the benefits of being part of the company, while in the comfort of their home.
However, this option has potential pitfalls. Here we look at the advantages and disadvantages of working from home.
Advantages
Reduce cost
Many hidden costs associated with going to work are reduced when working at home and these includes direct cost such as commuting, fuel, road taxes, parking, car wear and tears as well as indirect cost such as expensive professional wardrobes and the dry-cleaning of those. Care arrangement for older children can also be saved and for younger children, it is advisable to forgo the child care arrangement and use the demand of the job to balance close care and supervision
Flexibility
This means you can determine your own work hours although it does not relate to timing. You can choose your own work environment and work in the system that best suits you and makes you the most productive and the happiest.
Less distractions
If you safely work from home, you can seal off in your own environment and avoid any possible meeting or interruptions such as unnecessary interruptions or co-workers banter and distractions. You can admire the architectural timbers on show in your environment providing you with inspiration for your work.
Proximity to home and family
Working at home is tremendously comforting for many people due to the physical proximity to family and the conveniences enjoyed. Parents are pacified that they are close to their children and will almost be available anytime they are needed. This also applies for elderly care. With a house extension you have the flexibility of being in another space while being in the same home at the same time.
Stress-less
Some workers are disgruntled and almost exhausted before getting to work to begin their day task due to the stress of commuting in bumper-to-bumper traffic at rush hour in many countries. This is applicable when the workers are live far away from their offices. Other stress noticeable includes a suboptimal work environment, unfriendly co-workers and constant distractions.
More productivity
Professionals are often a lot happier when stress associated distractions at workplaces are removed, thereby becoming more productive when working independently in their own preferred environment at their own pace.
Better health
Both physical and mental health is adversely impacted usually with long commutes of about 1 to 3 hours a day spent getting to and from the workplace. By working at home, workers are be able to engage in more physical exercise, go for a long work or join local gym using the time that was supposed to be spent on commuting
Life balance
The aspiration of most professional is often achieved and turned to satisfaction through working at home arrangement especially when they have flexibility to report into the office and work from home. They can be able to fine-tune the arrangement to achieve the most optimal life balance.
As an increasing number ogf professionals find a much better work-life equilibrium and more businesses embrace flexible policies to adapt changing workplace priorities and supposes that the working out of home alternative is becoming more and more viable. Employees see that this as the ideal means to stay in the work force and continue to be employed thereby preserving all of the tangible advantages of being a part of a recognized business, while enjoying all of the benefits of being based in your home. The option has its own possible pitfalls however and we discuss a few of the benefits and pitfalls of working at home.
Disadvantages
Although there are many benefits, working from home does come with some disadvantages. These involve:
Isolation
Many times, professionals operating from their home whine of isolation away from their managers and colleagues and this can be extremely depressing to some. Considering that the office provides a place to meet people and make friends, professionals operating from home need to be creative and effective in getting to know individuals and in staying connected with their co-workers. It cloud computing allows you to be on the same platform as your colleagues in the online sphere.
Distractions
Though office distractions are prevented by working in the home, distinct distractions may come up. Interruptions in kids, neighbours, friends, household might be quite disruptive and particular efforts have to be made to ensure it is understood that you’re in fact working and inaccessible for disturbance within work hours regardless of your physical existence in your home.
Difficulty in separating house from work
The desire to participate in family things as you’re in the home is often quite powerful. Suddenly you will begin feeling obliged to wash the house, do the shopping, the cooking, house financing all while meeting the full needs of the work. It’s critical to draw the line between work and home in order to prevent both regions affected. Home extensions in Melbourne are an option to those residents in Melbourne seeking a separate area for their work life.
The work doesn’t end
As there’s nobody standing over your shoulder employing rigorous hours you might feel tempted to work endlessly. This strain to operate endlessly can be warranted with the fact that you just feel you will find greater expectations created from you as a home-worker or from self-imposed pressures to prove yourself and your skills in this order. Additionally, the absence of physical separation between work and home may add to the pressure to work endlessly. You may be wanting to clean your glue laminated floors and get distracted, then feel the need to overwork yourself to make up for it.
The danger of being overlooked for promotion
The threat of being overlooked for promotions and career growth opportunities is very real once you’re away in the workplace along with other more visible workers who are actively and aggressively vying to them. If you are it, consultants, Melbourne company but work from home, you may feel that your colleagues are getting the upper hand on you, however, with technology and regular office visits you can diminish this feeling. An open line of communication with direction and routine visits to the workplace is crucial so as to show your devotion and commitment to your career and to protect against the out-of-sight-out-of-mind syndrome.
The requirement for high self-discipline
Working at home isn’t for anybody. It requires a whole lot of commitment, self-control and subject to inspire yourself to persevere in functioning in the home independently over the future without fretting about the distractions and shedding momentum and drive. Frequently a partial arrangement in which you report in the office one or two times per week is the perfect structure as it allows for intimate interaction with co-workers and supervisors also ensures that you stay in touch with business improvements while still allowing one of the comfort and convenience of working at home.
