Pros and Cons of Working From Home
A lot of people make the mistake of assuming that working at home is always fun, free and flexible. Though there are benefits that come with working at home, there are also a handful of disadvantages to think about.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Working at Home
Avoiding a Commute Saves Time and Money
When you are working at home, you don’t need to worry about travelling to and from a specific workplace. Not only does this save you time and allows you to maximise your working hours, but it’s also cost-effective. There’s no denying that the cost of commuting soon adds up.
Working Hours Are Often More Flexible
Often, working at home allows you to be more flexible with working hours. You’ll have the freedom to decide when you want to work, when you want to take breaks, and when you want to finish for the day. There’s no one there to dictate what you should do and when.
It’s Hard to Stay Focused and Productive
As a lot of people who work at home will tell you, it’s hard to stay focused and being productive doesn’t come easily. When there’s no one there checking on your progress it’s very hard to stay motivated and avoid distractions, this can lead to tasks taking longer than they should. When you work at home, you are responsible for making yourself sit down and work.
There’s a Lack of Workplace Community
Working at home can be somewhat isolating. Though there are advantages that come with not having to deal with an opinionated team of colleagues, it does mean that there’s a lack of workplace community. This can be a big change, especially if you are someone who enjoys the social side of working as a team.
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As you can see, there are a number of benefits that come with working at home. There’s no need to worry about a lengthy commute, you can be flexible with working hours and you don’t need to deal with colleagues face to face. However, it’s hard to stay focused and this can lead to a lack of productivity. It’s not for everyone, but it is an ideal working environment for many.
