Balancing act: the pros and cons of remote work and working from home.

Working from home is on the rise. I think the world learnt a lot during covid and is continuing to learn, such as the amount of work that could be completed without even stepping foot in an office. In fact, more people are going out of their way to find employment that caters to a working from home lifestyle.

You’re either reading this because you are considering taking up remote work, you have been offered to work from home or you are currently working from home and you are trying to decide if it is for you.

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The traditional 9-5 structure is getting a major renovation and the line between home and office is a blurred line.

Things are changing rapidly with new technologies, new positions, people wanting to be home for their children more and the list goes on. The temptation of flexibility has been drawing more professionals away from the conventional office setting, it’s important to think about and understand the pros and cons that come with it.

In this article we explore the advantages of remote work and also the challenges that you may face. Let’s get into it and weigh it all up so that you can figure out if working from home is for you.

What are the pros of working from home:

• The first one is the flexibility! It’s the freedom of setting your own schedule, you can fit in appointments, take the kids to school and pick them up. You can tailor your workday around your most productive times. And hey you could also fit in a cheeky sleep in.
• The next pro is that it can be very cost saving. You can save money on the commuting expenses, such as fuel and public transport. No need to spend money on work attire and daily meals out, and also that daily coffee. If you are able to you might also save on daycare costs as you can have the children at home. There are tax benefits of working from home depending on the country you live in and region. Think internet, electricity; cooling and heating, phone, and a home office renovation; or a home office setup.
• There is improved work life balance by giving you more time to spend with family and friends. There’s more time for yourself, including personal activities and self-care. A lot of people who work from home speak about increased job satisfaction, giving you a more positive experience in your job role.
• A customised workspace! Some great starting points are our articles on 5 things every home office needs. and Home office configuration: you have everything that you need, now what? You can create a personalised and comfortable home office setup that suits your preferences and enhances your productivity. You can hang up what ever photo’s you want and what ever motivational posters you deem worthy of your wall.
• You are eliminating any commute stress, allowing for a more relaxed start and finish to your day. No more running out the door first thing like you’re competing in a marathon, wondering if stopping for a coffee is worth it (caffeine is always worth it). No more being stuck in traffic telling yourself that you will leave earlier tomorrow. No more missing buses or trains, providing passengers entertainment as you run down the road begging the bus to stop. You can prioritise a healthy calming morning routine. Personally, I start my day with coffee and journalling. I write down everything I am grateful for and then I am ready to go.
• There is increased productivity; many people state that since working from home they are not as distracted and stay focused on finishing the tasks and goals for that day.
• Autonomy and health benefits! You have a greater sense of control over your day, your tasks and your overall work. You can enjoy a healthier lifestyle with the flexibility to engage in exercise when it suits you. You can take regular breaks and make your own healthier meals.
• An extra bonus is that working from home has environmental impacts! Reduced commuting means fewer carbon emissions. No more takeaway meals or coffee’s with throwaway plastics (fyi we should all have our own keep cups by now- it’s time people!).

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As you can see it is pretty evident that there are a lot of pros for working from home. So far it is looking pretty good to convince anyone to work from home if they had the choice. But what are the cons?

What are the cons of working from home:

• The main con I believe can be isolation or loneliness as there is a lack of in-person interactions which can impact on mental-wellbeing. Some people thrive in human interactions, they are the extroverts who need it or even introverts who enjoy a little socialising before returning to their little bubbles. Remote work may mean limited team collaboration, communication and idea bouncing.
• There can be distractions at home such as spouses, children, roommates and pets. Personally my biggest distraction is my dog. His cute face makes it incredibly difficult not to throw the ball he has given me for the 100^th time that morning.
• The boundaries between work and personal life can be blurred. There can be difficulty separating the two which has the potential to lead to overworking or burnout.
• There could be communication challenges when we rely on digital communication and technology. Even communication by email can result in misunderstandings. If there are technology issues such as internet outages or equipment malfunctions it can completely disrupt your workflow and productivity.
• Unequal access to opportunities. Working from home may result in less opportunities for networking and/ or building relationships with bosses or other agencies.
• As I mentioned in the pros, childcare could be a pro by saving your money with children being able to stay at home. This could also be a con though as you could be taking on too many responsibilities, such as working, taking care of children, household chores, and this may interfere with your work/life balance.

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These are just a few of the pros and cons associated with working from home; this list is not exhaustive, and you may find that you have a few to add.

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There are some clear pros like the flexibility, the liberation from a daily commute and the empowerment to create your own workday. However, the cons are also clear with isolation risks and potential for distractions.

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If you want to read more about having a work/life balance have a look at this article Work/life balance: strategies for a healthy work life balance when working from home.

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It’s crucial to acknowledge that the balance varies from individual to individual and you need to decide what feels right for you. Work out what your non-negotiables are and see what aligns with you. The key is to recognize that there are advantages and disadvantages of working from home, but some things might not matter to you like they do to others.

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The important thing is that you find something that fosters a fulfilling and sustainable professional journey for yourself.