If you’re considering the option of working from home, whether it’s on a full- or part-time basis, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of working from home to see if it might be right for you.
You may discover that working from home has plenty of pluses, but there are also some negatives to consider as well. With this list of pros and cons, you can make an informed decision about whether you should work from home or look for another job outside the home.
Pro: You're in control of your environment
Working from home is one of the best things about working for yourself. You're in control of your environment, your schedule, and the amount of time you put in per day. This means you can always take a break when you need to or stay late if needed to get a big project done.
It also means that you're able to work comfortably in clothes that make you feel good rather than what makes your boss happy. Not only will this allow you to be more productive and creative, but it's just more comfortable!
Con: It can be lonely
Working from home can be lonely. You might miss the social interaction with coworkers or the camaraderie that comes with being part of a team. It is also more difficult to find a balance between work and leisure time.
If you're feeling lonely, consider inviting family members or friends to join you for lunch or make plans to go out for coffee with another remote worker in your field. There are several online groups where you can discuss issues related to working from home.
Finally, take advantage of working from home by using the down-time it affords to do things like grocery shopping or taking care of errands during your lunch break.
Pro: You can design your ideal workspace
Working from home allows you to design your ideal workspace. You can arrange the furniture in your home office to suit your specific needs. You can optimize storage space so you can find what you need at a glance.
You also don't have to worry about commuting, so working from home will allow you to dedicate more time toward tasks that are important to the business, rather than being in a rush every morning just to get there on time.
Con: You may be interrupted more often
The biggest con to working from home is that you may be interrupted more often. That might not sound like a big deal, but it can be frustrating when you have an idea or are in the middle of an important project.
If you're trying to work on something, your family members might be asking for help with a task that could take as little as fifteen minutes.
When I was working from home, I found myself getting frustrated at how often I would get interrupted by phone calls or just people walking into my office without knocking. Now that I'm back at my desk at the office, there's no interruptions during business hours.
It's been so much easier to concentrate on what I need to do and get things done because my coworkers are busy with their own tasks too.
Pro: You can take breaks when you want
One pro to working from home is that you can take breaks when you want. You may not have the same kind of work-life balance as someone who has a more traditional work life, but it's still much better than being stuck in an office for eight hours without a break.
Plus, you don't need to worry about wearing out your clothes or staining your shirt with coffee spills! This one isn't really a pro, but it does come with some significant cons. I'll touch on those next time!
Con: It can be hard to turn off work
A con to working from home is that it can be hard to turn off work. In the beginning, I would spend hours on my laptop editing my blog or writing posts while simultaneously checking e-mails. It was hard to stop myself from being glued to the screen all day, but now I know how important it is for me to take breaks and switch off every now and then.
One thing that has really helped me keep my workload in check has been using RescueTime - a time management app that shows you how much time you've spent on different tasks each day so you can monitor your productivity.
The program monitors websites, applications and the total amount of time spent in each one, so it's easy to see what areas are more productive than others.
Pro: You're not wasting time commuting
The main pro of working from home is not having to commute. It's a time-saver that can shave hours off your day depending on how long you typically spend commuting. For example, if you drive an hour each way to work, that's 10 hours a week just sitting in traffic.
Plus, you're more likely to get more done at the office if you don't have to travel back and forth.
If you do need to go into the office every now and then, it can also be beneficial because it allows you to build connections with other employees in person.
Con: You may miss out on office camaraderie
One con to working from home is that you may miss out on office camaraderie. You may be less likely to work with your coworkers on a project because you don't have the chance to see them in person everyday. Another con is that there may be a lack of a sense of urgency.
Without the presence of other employees in the building, it's easy for someone working from home to get distracted by small tasks or lose focus on their most important task during the day.
Pro: You can dress however you want
The pros to working from home outweigh the cons, by far. You can dress however you want, you don't have to commute, you can be more productive because there's no one telling you what to do all day. The only con is that it takes discipline not to spend time on distractions like social media.
If your job depends on you being connected 24/7, then working from home isn't for you. But if your job doesn't depend on a tight work schedule or meeting deadlines, then this option might work better for your lifestyle!
Con: Pets can be a distraction
Pets can be a distraction, especially if you're in the middle of an intense creative session. If it's possible, consider restricting your pet's access to the room where you work. If not, make sure that you have a safe place for them (their own bed with toys and their own food) where they can't bother you.
