What are the pros and cons of working remotely?

Many of us have mixed feelings about working from home. Some people thrive in their own surroundings, while others miss the energy of the office. We recently conducted a survey which showed 71% of candidate’s stance on flexible working has changed since the pandemic.

For many years working for a company that offered flexible working was almost enviable, however in today’s climate not having a choice, or being able to find the right balance between working from home and the office can start to take its toll.

So, what are the pros and cons:

 

Pro’s

Your own work environment

Whether you like background noise or silence, it’s now up to you. You determine what this looks likes and create an environment which encourages creativity and flexibility, making you more productive overall.

No Commute

Gone are the days of travelling to work on a gloomy Monday morning. Now you can jump up out of bed with a spring in your step and accomplish a lot more than brushing your teeth and running out the door. Exercise, a nice breakfast or some reading. It’s the ultimate time saver, not to mention money saver.

Work Life Balance

At least an extra hour in the morning and evening, plus a lunch break which can be worked around your needs giving you that extra time to focus on you.

Reduced Stress

Not having to commute can have such a positive impact on your stress levels. Delayed trains and bumper to bumper traffic is a thing of the past. Surrounding yourself with things you like and being in control of what influences your mood can really alleviate stress.

 

Con’s

Self-discipline

You need a lot of it.

No interaction

Being alone all day can be tough and not having any human interaction can build up when it’s been too long.

Hard to switch off

It can be nice to shut the laptop and close the door to the office, however the average household doesn’t have this luxury. When your workstation set up is your dining table or the arm of the sofa, it can prove hard to switch your mind frame back to home life.

Distractions

It’s super easy to think I’ll just do the laundry, hoover or watch that last episode on Netflix. But where does it stop. If you’re not careful, these mundane tasks can start to take priority.

Collaboration

Some roles are perfect for independent working while others need a team of or that special someone to bounce ideas off and feed their collaborative nature. It’s just not the same having a great idea and nobody to share it with.

Health

In an office, you have your dedicated work station where you have your desk, a suitable chair, computer stands, keyboard mats, mouse mats, the list goes on. And should an item not be on the list all you have to do is mention health and safety you will get whatever it is you desire. Working from home it’s unlikely to have the same set up, leaving you hunched over your dining table or slumped on the sofa, potentially causing harm to a number of different parts of your body.

Working with Children

The pros are heavily based on the idea that your children are at school or in childcare albeit getting to spend more time with them in the morning and evening. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case over the last year with schools and childcare closed. In normal circumstances being a parent can often feel like a juggling act, let alone having to work and teach your children at home. You can only do your best and making it to Friday is a huge achievement, so be kind to yourself.  

 

Like anything there’s pros and cons, knowing what your strengths and weaknesses are and how to manage them can make life that little bit easier when working from home. And if you’re going to do it, why not go all out like our Azure Consultant, Owen Maurice, he’s even supporting the Synapri colours!