Working from home, is it for you?

 

Before March 2020 surveys have shown that 1.54 million people worked from home in some capacity compared to the 23.9 million today. Two recent surveys showed that two-thirds of employees feel more productive when working from home but 1 in 5 remote workers suffer from the loneliness.

So, what are the benefits of working from home? Does it make us more productive? And do the benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks?

Increased Productivity

Hybrid ways of working have become very popular in the UK with research showing productivity levels increase with a flexible working style in place. A massive 75% of workers surveyed said their level of productivity increased at home without office distractions and has been reported that two-thirds of remote workers are more productive compared to the in-office workers.

More free time

In the UK, the average daily commute takes around an hour meaning around 5 hours per working week. When this extra time could be used more productively during the working day whether that’s exercising to increase concentration or catching up on sleep if the family life is a bit hectic.

Decreased cost

Working remotely can cut down the travelling costs including fuel, train, tube, bus tickets, and buying lunch. Working from home can help create a bit more money to spend on the things that make you happy.

Less pollution

It has been highlighted that if remote workers worked from home only 6 months of the year, this alone could prevent 54 million tonnes of greenhouse gas from being produced into the atmosphere, which is ‘equivalent to taking 10 million cars off the road’. The benefit to the environment is exponential, proving that working from home regularly can drastically improve air quality and limit pollution.

Working longer hours

More time in the day can also have its drawbacks as a remote employee, with over 20% of workers finding it difficult to separate their work and home life. Working from home may result in fewer breaks and longer working hours which can quickly lead to burnout if continued over a long period of time not to mention hours of unpaid labour.

Loneliness

One large out disadvantage of working from home is the potential for loneliness. Around 30.9% of those working remotely struggle with feelings of loneliness. An office environment provides the social stimulation you may not receive at home especially if you live alone. This can make work unappealing or in more serious situations lead to depression. It has been reported that 62% of remote workers would like updated technology to stay better connected with their teams.

Working environment

Like loneliness, the home environment isn’t something that can be easily altered. Although many remote workers say that working from an office is more distracting than working from home, it can also work the other way in the form of pets, social media, and neighbours.

The space and furniture available may also affect productivity many remote workers having to work in their kitchens or living rooms with poor ergonomic environments.

Access to the internet

Internet connection is a huge factor when it comes to remote working, with many employees in the UK switching to mobile data during important calls because their home broadband is unreliable. Usually, office premises include faster and more consistent connections than homes which means internet problems can create more stress for those that work remotely.

Working from home does have its drawbacks but flexible work offered by employers provides a personal choice that can increase an employee’s productivity, create balance, and save money.

What are your thoughts on working from home?