Why Work From Home is Beneficial: Pros and Cons
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the dynamics of a lot of areas of our lives. We’re staying home more, avoiding public places, and working from home. The work-from-home setup used to be reserved for freelancers. Still, now, everyone, regardless of their positions or companies, is exploring and, in fact, succeeding in the remote, home-based dynamic.
While COVID-19 has practically forced companies a work-from-home dynamic, it’s proving to be a very beneficial setup for both the company and its employees. Workers enjoy more flexibility, the liberty to enjoy a work-life balance, and saving time from commutes and drives to the office. In addition, parents are also getting to spend more time with their families.
While the work-from-home dynamic looks as though it’s here to stay, which is good news, of course, it comes with its own set of pros and cons. We lay them all down in this article.
Pros of Working From Home
More flexibility
Working from home has taken office workers out of the typical 9-5 desk job, giving them more time for other things or errands. Because they are home for most of the day, they have more time and energy to attend to other matters, such as dentist appointments, bringing their kids to school, etc.
Fewer interruptions
Working from home is more personal and individualized, which means fewer disruptions from coworkers or the usual things that go on in the office. A worker can much better build their focus and be more productive without visits from coworkers to chit chat or attend several unproductive meetings.
Save time and money
A lot of time and money is saved by working from home. Workers don’t have to pay for gas, parking, or commute fares, nor do they buy food from the cafeteria or coffee from the nearest Starbucks. Everything is available to them at home, which saves crucial time and money.
More time with family
One of the perks of working from home, especially for parents, is staying present and being with their children and loved ones. Being away in the office tends to cut down family time significantly, but by handling both personal and professional matters in the comfort of your home, you can enjoy quality time with your family while checking off tasks from your to-do list.
Cons of Working From Home
No boundary between professional and personal time
Working from home is convenient, but one challenge is the lack of physical boundaries between your work life and your professional life. Everything is taking place at home, and workers tend to work until the wee hours at night. As a result, the thin line between work time and personal time is blurred.
Limitations in communication
While the Internet and the vast array of communication platforms available have paved the way to easier remote communications, there is still nothing that can compare to face-to-face discussions. In addition, there are limits to electronic communication, such as the tendency for misunderstandings due to the lack of facial expressions, body language, or other non-verbal cues.
Cabin fever tendencies
Working from home means rarely leaving the house, which can lead to cabin fever. Moreover, it’s challenging to change scenery with a home-based work setup, which is the price for the convenience.
Less interaction with coworkers
Working from home can get lonely because you won’t have the company of your co-workers. While this promotes more personal time and lesser distractions, it also doesn’t help foster good professional relationships and socialization.
Working from home comes with its own set of pros and cons, but it’s safe to say that the advantages outweigh the drawbacks. Ultimately, it’s all about being smart about this new dynamic, i.e., managing your time wisely, setting boundaries between work and life, and learning how to organize and prioritize your tasks.