If the pandemic has taught us anything, remote work is a viable option for many companies. Even twenty years ago, such a dramatic shift to a work-from-home lifestyle would have been nearly impossible. Luckily in today’s age, smartphones, laptops, and team collaboration software such as Teams and Zoom have made remote work much more feasible.
Whether you’ve been given the option to work remotely or you’re considering taking on a new remote role, there are pros and cons you’ll want to consider before you commit. Check out our seven pros and cons of remote work to help you make the decision!
Remote Work Pro: Flexibility
While you’re still working the same hours from home, working remotely is much more flexible than commuting to the office daily. You can pop a load of laundry in the washer during one of your breaks or take the dog for a walk during your lunch. If your employer allows it, you could get flexible with your hours to accommodate things like daycare pickups and drop-offs. Some people love the flexibility that remote work offers since it can, to a degree, allow them to tailor their workday to their schedules.
Remote Work Con: Miscommunications
A drawback of having no face-to-face communication with coworkers and customers is an increased chance of miscommunication. There is no body language to read when talking on the phone or over email. It can become easy to misconstrue what others say when you can’t discern their body language or tone. Remote workers must be clear in their emails, phone calls, and video meetings to avoid potential mishaps.
On the bright side, team collaboration software can help reduce miscommunication. These tools allow workers to communicate with their team the same way they would in a physical meeting in the office.
Remote Work Pro: Saves Employees Money
Remote work can save employees a lot of money. Of course, working from home removes the cost of gas or transit paid to commute to the office, but this isn’t the only way remote employees save money! You can make your coffee daily and save a few dollars in the morning when working from home.
The same goes for lunch since the temptation of grabbing food at the fast-food place across from the office isn’t there. Lastly, working from home allows employees to save on work attire. Instead of needing multiple business casual outfits that have to be replaced eventually, an employee could get by with their more casual clothing.
Remote Work Con: It Can Be Isolating
Working from home means not going into the office and having face-to-face interactions with coworkers, customers, and management. Even if you don’t have a customer-facing role, you’d have water cooler conversations or break room banter throughout your workday. Put simply, working from home can get lonely.
If you’re working remotely, look for ways to remedy the potential loneliness. Interact with people face-to-face before or after work by going out with friends, starting a new social hobby, or joining a sports team.
Remote Work Pro: Less Micromanaging
If you’re tired of micromanagers looking over your shoulder as you work, switching to remote work could be a good choice! Since you’re not physically in the office, many managers are much more hands-off regarding their employees. That’s not to say they won’t check in throughout the day, but they will likely give you much more space to do your work.
Remote Work Con: Distractions
It can be difficult to navigate the distractions of working at home for someone new to remote work. Some distractions like children running around and dogs barking aren’t things experienced at the office, so it can take some getting used to. This can only add to the distractions if you don’t have a dedicated workspace.
Your kitchen table or sofa may not be the location most conducive to productivity. Because of this, it’s important to try and remove as many distractions as possible. Head to a quiet area of the house or pop your headphones in to help you focus. Consider designating a specific area of your home as your workspace if possible. Even if this space is just a desk in the corner of a room, it can help you get into work mode while you’re still at home.
Remote Work Pro: Happier Employees
Generally, working from home allows for a greater work-life balance. Removing commutes and strict working hours in the office can give employees more time to focus on things like family, pets, friends, hobbies, and relaxation. This increased work-life balance reduces stress on employees, leading to happier employees. Happy employees are likely to be much more productive and produce higher quality work as opposed to employees who are stressed out.
