Over the past few years, many companies have been forced to allow their employees to work from home. I’ve been working from home for over 20 years now, and I love it, and I’m delighted to offer the same flexibility to my employees.
While some people are loving the extra time they have to themselves, others are struggling with the isolation and lack of structure. So the question is, will working from home become the new normal? Let’s explore the pros and cons.
The Pros of Working From Home
There are plenty of reasons to love working from home. For starters, you don’t have to commute! That means you can save money on gas, car maintenance, and public transportation costs. You also have a lot more flexibility when it comes to your schedule. If you need to take a break to run an errand or pick up your kids from school, you can do so without having to ask for permission from your boss. Although, do follow corporate guidelines for clocking out and/or notifying your peers that you’ll be unavailable for a few minutes.
What’s more, studies have shown that people who work from home are actually more productive than those who work in an office. That’s because there are fewer distractions at home and less opportunity for socializing with co-workers (which can sometimes turn into wasted time).
The Cons of Working From Home
Of course, working from home isn’t perfect. For one thing, it can be very isolating. If you’re someone who thrives on human interaction, working from home can be a real challenge. It’s also easy to get distracted when you’re at home. After all, there’s always something else that needs to be done around the house!
Another downside of working from home is that it can be harder to “turn off” at the end of the day. When your office is in your living room or bedroom, it’s easy to bring work home with you and end up working long hours. This can lead to burnout and a decrease in productivity over time.
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether or not working from home is better than working in an office. It really depends on your individual preferences and needs. That said, it seems likely that more and more companies will allow their employees to work from home at least part of the time. Companies have become more used to the idea of working from home. So if you’ve been thinking about giving it a try, now might be the perfect time!
Donna Harris holds a BSci in Accounting and an MBA, and is the owner of Bookkeeping Made Simple.
Donna Harris
Owner
Donna Harris, BSci Accounting, MBA, founded Bookkeeping Made Simple with the understanding that small businesses is the heart of the American economy. After offering to do books for a friend who said he didn't have enough work to keep someone in the office 20 hours a week, she recognized the need for an efficient, online system. She has 20 years of bookkeeping and accounting experience and is excited to help small business owners achieve their goals. She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling whenever possible. She also loves reading, hiking, camping, cooking, yoga, and fitness. A huge believer in lifelong education, she is currently working on her master's in Accounting.