In today’s digital era, a lot of changes can be seen in the workplace. The Internet has made it possible for individuals to become freelancers and entrepreneurs who can work from home. Some companies are now open to the idea of their employees working from a home office. Despite the mostly positive effects of working from home, there are still different opinions on having a home office. Before you set one up, here are a few pros and cons of having a home office that you should consider.
Pros
1.Getting rid of commute
One of the biggest advantages of having a home office is being able to skip the commute. This means that you eliminate getting into heavy traffic or crowded public transport, especially when the weather isn’t favorable. Many employees report that the commute alone going to work is already stressful, and the commute heading home can be draining after a long day’s work.
With a home office, you can skip taking your bike or car or riding the bus or train and save your energy for the work you need to do. In addition, you can spend more time doing other things. You can get enough sleep, prepare your meals, take care of your garden, and take your kids to school yourself.
2.Comfortability
Having a home office is equal to being able to work in comfort. You can wear sweatpants as opposed to following dress codes when you’re working in an office, and you don’t have to worry about doing your hair except when you have video call meetings. This is possibly the only time you will have to look presentable in your own home. But with this being said, regardless of whether you work from home or in an office, first impressions matter, especially when you are working with clients. Now that you work from home, you’ll have more time to build stronger relationships with your customers and clients. You should commit to this like you would if you were working in an office. A number of people have looked into the idea of using programs such as RepCheckup review monitoring to keep track of their customer feedback regarding their business. There are even ways to make working from home a lot easier. But just make sure your room looks neat, in case you do have to get on a video call for real.
As you also have control over your home office’s set up, you get to choose the kind of facilities you want, such as the desk, printer, filing cabinets, and lamp, and you even pick a comfortable and stylish office chair to suit your preference.
3.Savings
You can have more financial savings with a home office because:
- You can save money on gas or fare.
- You no longer need to buy tons of work clothes.
- You skip on the unnecessary eating out because you can prepare your food.
- Some legislations allow a portion of your tax to be deducted if you have a home office.
4.Flexibility
Having a home office means that you have more flexibility with work, regardless if you’re a freelancer or a business owner. While building a productive home office is one factor to be efficient, it’s also a bonus if you have the flexibility to work when you feel most productive and get more things done. You could be a morning person or a night owl, and it won’t be a problem. Having non-work-related appointments, such as going to the dentist, your kid’s football game, and a parent-teachers meeting, can also be fit into your schedule with less to no stress.
5.More time for other things
One of the reasons why people get a home office or prefer to work at home is to be able to spend more time taking care of their families, especially when there are kids. There is also time to be able to do other activities for personal improvement, such as taking online classes, learning new skills, and cultivating a hobby.
Cons
1.Distractions
While you may have a private home office or a space tucked away from your busy home, there are times that distractions creep into your working hours. There are moments where you won’t be able to ignore answering the door or the home phone or attend to a hungry child. It can even be as simple as the television or social media. Distractions can reduce your productivity, interrupt your focus, and disrupt your momentum while completing a particular task.
2.Less productivity
If you’re not disciplined enough to avoid temptations, your productivity will be affected. Seemingly unharmful things like staying in bed longer, surfing on the Internet more frequently, or going out during supposedly working hours can lessen your productivity because your schedule is disrupted.
Sometimes, there is a need for a bit of pressure to get things done. When the environment is too comfortable, there is a tendency to be less motivated to work and procrastinate instead. You need to create a home office that increases productivity. Here are some of the things you can do:
- Have adequate lighting.
- Purchase a comfortable chair for hours of sitting.
- Set up your home office in a quiet part of the house.
3.Sedentary lifestyle
Some individuals like working from their homes to be able to fit in workouts and fitness routines. However, having a home office can encourage a sedentary lifestyle if you aren’t disciplined enough to do some exercises or when you’re working too many hours. Not having the right facilities suited for work can also encourage an inactive lifestyle, such as working from a cozy couch or in bed.
4.Minimal social interaction
Others naturally thrive when they have communication with colleagues besides virtual meetings. There are also employees who get more creative and draw more inspiration with social interaction. While you have autonomy and less supervision in a home office, minimal social interaction can affect the performance of some individuals. Lesser social interactions can cause feelings of isolation or loneliness, resulting in cognitive decline.
5.Questioned expertise
While the trend of freelancing and small businesses are increasing, there are others who question working from home as real credibility because it’s not the traditional method of gaining income or employment. Even if you’re working for a reputable company remotely, there can still be questions regarding getting a “real job,” especially from those who are not very familiar with the workplace and workforce shift. When this happens, people may doubt your skills or credentials, which can affect your self-esteem or even business success.
A home office is definitely a good addition to your home to increase its real estate value. However, you need to weigh the consequences of having this space before you build it. Consider your productivity and efficiency in relation to your priorities before deciding on a home office.
