The concept of Work from Home (WFH) was always there, but not many companies implemented it before the pandemic. The reason was simple; they were afraid that employees will take this form of working for granted, and thus will have lower productivity.
So, when did WFH become so common? Although nothing good was brought about by COVID-19, the one thing many people benefited from was the opportunity to work from home with comfort and ease.
WFH offers great flexibility and independence. As long as you have the mindset to achieve success and a good internet connection, WFH is always going to be beneficial. However, without a stable internet and the ability to focus, WFH won’t necessarily benefit you.
On a side note, if you are a WFH employee, and in dire need of a reliable internet connection, you should consider Xfinity Internet. Fiber-optic does not just offer fast internet speeds, but rarely ever has any kind of breakdowns.
In this article, we will be weighing the pros and cons of WFH, and hopefully, by the end of it, you will know if WFH is something you can commit to.
Advantages of WFH
We all know there are one too many advantages of a WFH routine, but what exactly are these advantages? And, do they apply to you?
Here are the key advantages of WFH:
Flexibility
The ability to choose your own hours is a clear perk of working from home. Because of this adaptability, you have a significant amount of time to maintain a good work-life balance. It also allows you to do things like visit the bank or post office without having to wait in line during the busiest part of the day.
Allowing them to work whenever is most convenient for them, this flexibility helps employees come to the office with a clearer head and a renewed sense of purpose. In addition, the employee will have extra time on the weekend to relax and recharge without worrying about getting behind on housework or running errands.
You Get to Avoid the Lengthy Commute
Many things may go wrong on your daily commute, from impolite passengers to car trouble to traffic congestion, all of which can add unnecessary stress.
Additionally, a lengthier commute can harm your mental health and lower your level of job satisfaction. And if something goes wrong on the way to the office, you may end up being late.
Working from home frees you up to do other things during the day. We know you can fit in more hours, but you shouldn’t. Instead, choose to relax by talking to a friend, playing with your pet, watching a movie, or eating out at your favorite restaurant.
Increased Output
You might get more work done if you find a quiet place to work alone. Having the flexibility to take breaks whenever you need them and walk around your house as you choose are also related to increased productivity.
Taking regular breaks from work is a great approach to preventing burnout and keeping your motivation high. You may have your headphones on and be prepared to work uninterrupted for two hours, but that’s unrealistic in an office setting. Being around other people might be a major distraction.
Budgetary Savings
Less time spent commuting means saving money. People who WFH can save money on gas and other commuting costs. Additionally, working from home saves money on expenses like daycare and having to shop for professional dressing.
In fact, parents who WFH can benefit greatly from cost savings on childcare. Even if you’re one of the many people who regularly spend money on lunch because you can never remember to pack it in the morning, working from home can save you money every day.
Disadvantages of WFH
Despite the many advantages of a WFH setting, there are some drawbacks that you should know as well, such as:
Keeping ‘Work’ Hours and ‘personal’ Hours Separate Can Be Challenging
When you work from home, the lines between your personal and professional lives tend to blur. You may have experienced firsthand how a disruption in work-life balance and a quickening of burnout can result from work expanding and seeping into your free time.
When you do your job from home, it becomes integrated into your daily life. However, the negative impacts can be mitigated through efficient use of time and setting limits at certain points in the day.
Isolation
It’s possible that working from home would be a dreadful experience for people who thrive on the social interactions that occur in an office setting. When you work remotely, you won’t have as many chances to talk to your coworkers face-to-face, which can cause anxiety.
WFH necessitates active participation via communication tools. If you have a question, don’t be shy about asking a coworker or your manager. Do you feel that there needs to be more communication on your team? Why not recommend a video conference? Keeping the lines of contact open and planning social gatherings might help you avoid feelings of isolation.
It’s Not Easy to Keep Going
Do you enjoy working with people, or do you prefer to work alone? Do you find the casual conversations that arise between coworkers to be a source of motivation and creativity? If that’s the case, working alone at home may actually sap your vitality instead of boosting it. It’s far too simple to go off for a few hours.
When you work from home, you have to be your own motivator.
The Final Verdict – Is WFH for YOU?
In all honesty, the advantages of WFH exceed the drawbacks. That said, it really depends on your nature of work and you as an individual when it comes to choosing a WFH setting. We hope you will weigh the pros and cons discussed above, to realize if WFH is for you or not.
