Work from home pros and cons | Home Office Base

For most people, the idea of being able to work from home seems like a dream come true! What could be better than drinking coffee in your pajamas on a cold winter’s morning, knowing you don’t have to leave the house! However, as with any job (whether it be in a building, warehouse or office), working from home has both advantages and disadvantages. This begs the question, ‘what are the pros and cons to working from home?

There are at least 10 pros and 10 cons to working from home. Each advantage and disadvantage must be taken into consideration and weighed carefully, in terms of how it will affect your overall health and wealth in the long run. Understanding each point will help you determine whether (or not) its suitable for you, both personally and professionally.

Now that you know there are 10 advantages and 10 disadvantages to working from home, let’s take a closer at each in detail below. We’ll also discuss if working from home is right for you. We’ll conclude by reviewing whether (or not) working from home is healthy, why people choose it over traditional jobs and how much money you can potentially save per year by doing it.

So, if you’re ready to learn more about the pros and cons of working from home (and everything else that it entails), then let’s get started! We’ll begin on a positive note, which is the benefits of working from home.

What are the Advantages of Working from Home?

There are many advantages to working from home. Some you may know already whereas others you may not have thought of (prior to reading this article, that is). The choice to do so depends on you and what you value in most in life. The ‘top 10’ pros, in my opinion, include (but are in no way limited to) the following:

1) Flexible Hours

I think the number one advantage to working from home is the flexibility. Being able to set your own work hours and chose how much (or how little) you want to work on any given day, in any given week sounds ideal! This allows you the chance to make that doctor’s appointment, meet a friend for lunch or pick up your child from school without jeopardizing your job.

2) No Commute Time

There are few things more stressful in the morning than dealing with heavy traffic, crowded buses and long subway rides. By the time you get to work, you feel frustrated, angry and even depressed. Working from home allows you the luxury of enjoying an extra cup of coffee instead of sitting in a traffic jam. Not to mention the money you’ll save on gas, transportation fees (bus, taxi, subway) or parking passes.

3) Fewer (if any) Childcare Costs

Paying for babysitting, daycare or your child’s ‘before-and-after-school’ supervision program is pricey. In fact, it often costs almost as much as the average working wage which makes it a heavy financial burden for many parents (and families) to bear. By working from home, you can virtually eliminate this expense all together, saving hundred of dollars a month! Imagine what you could do with that extra money!

4) Larger Pool of Opportunity

Working from home allows you to build your business your way, rather than blindly following the objectives set by an organization or company. You can do the jobs you want to do instead of the ones assigned to you. You’re also free to hire who you want with the opportunity to ‘change things up’ if (and when) you see fit. You’re the boss and as such, makes decisions based on your own personal goals.

5) Higher Productivity and Improved Motivation

When its your business with your name and your money on the line, you’re more invested in its success. Your driven to succeed which compels you to work harder. Fewer interruptions and more a peaceful environment help increase productivity and boost creativity. Motivation is higher when its your passion that propels your work, not simply the necessity of paying bills to ‘get by.’

6) Financially Beneficial

Working from home saves you money on rent fees, utilities and parking expenses. Paying for an office space/building and other facilities cuts into your profit margin, thus reducing your revenue. By utilizing important business tools, such as mobile telecommunication, freelancers can grow their home business effectively while providing top-notch customer service.

7) Work/Life Balance

Finding a work-life balance is important to a person’s overall health and happiness. Working from home allows entrepreneurs to eat healthier, have time for workouts and be closer to family. A well-managed work/home life also helps reduce the risk of ‘burnout’ or stress associated with job ‘overload’. This can significantly increase your chances not only living a healthier, but possibly longer, life.

8) Comfortable Environment

There’s no place like home when it comes feeling relaxed and comfortable. Working from home allows you the chance to ditch the stuffy suit and tie for comfy sweats or even pajamas! Feeling relaxed allows you to focus and think more clearly, which inspires creativity and enhances productivity. This will inevitably lead to greater business success, not to mention a more positive outlook on life.

9) Less Stress

Working in an office environment can be very stressful. Having to concentrate amid ringing phones, co-worker interruptions and other distractions is often difficult. Stress on the job causes depression, anxiety and insomnia, just to name a few. Remote work or working from home has shown to reduce stress by as much as 78%, according to a recent study done by OWL Labs in 2019.

10) Tax Advantages

Working from home has tax advantages you probably weren’t aware of. For example, you can deduct part of the costs related to your work ‘space’, such as office equipment, electricity, heating, property tax and home insurance. This will not only provide much needed relief at tax time but also save you money in the long run. More money in your pocket means more opportunity to grow your home business.

What are the Disadvantages to Working from Home?

Just as working from home has its advantages, so too are there disadvantages. Understanding what the drawbacks are and how they may affect you both personally and professionally, is important. The 10 most common cons related to working from home, in my opinion, include (but aren’t limited to) the following:

Lack of Human Interaction

Most of the time, when working from home, you’ll likely be alone. Regardless of the phone calls and online meetings you have throughout the day, the absence of face-to-face interaction can be hard on some people. Part of the joy of working in an office with others is the coffee break banter! Some people thrive in social situations and need that camaraderie in order to carry out their daily job tasks.

No Separation from Work and Home

Working from home can make it feel like you’re always on the job! The lack of separation between work and home can make it difficult for freelancers to ‘switch off’ or ‘leave the office.’ This can cause stress or increase anxiety if you’re unable to find a balance between working from home and living at home. The key is to establish a work schedule, stick to it and be able to ‘clock out’ at the end of the day.

Too Many Distractions

Constant interruptions from family, friends or roommates can make working from home next to impossible! Noisy neighbors, honking car horns or barking dogs can distract you, causing you to lose focus. Lack of concentration can seriously affect your creativity and productivity. Entrepreneurs must set ‘boundaries’ at home with loved ones, if they want to succeed professionally.

Lack of Productivity

Too many distractions go hand in hand with lack of productivity. Although it’s nice not to have the boss ‘breathing down your neck’ all day, the presence of management often provides that extra push needed to get the job done. Those who run a home business need to find ways to stay motivated in order to work efficiently alone. If you can’t stay focussed on your own, working from home will very difficult.

Unhealthy Lifestyle

While there are many health benefits to working from home (see below under Related Questions), there can be some drawbacks as well. For example, many offices provide their employees with high-end ergonomic chairs and standing desks to prevent back and shoulder problems whereas at home, you may not be willing to invest in bona fide home office equipment. This can cause health problems over time.

Limited Communication Options

Unless you’re willing to invest financially in telecommunication upgrades, your productivity as a remote worker will likely suffer. Telecommunication is an invaluable tool for any business. It allows you to communicate effectively with clients while providing the highest level of customer service available. If you want to be successful as a freelancer, then you need to broaden your communication spectrum.

Work not Valued as Much

Unfortunately, in our society today, most people don’t value working from home as much as in-office jobs. They just can’t don’t see it as ‘real’ work. The fact is that those who work from home often put in more hours on the job. They are strongly committed to succeeding in their chosen field (and it shows)! This narrow-minded viewpoint is not only frustrating but untrue. Hopefully, it’ll change in the future.

Harder to Gage Individual Performance

It’s the boss in an office setting that monitors employee performance. Objectives must be met and it’s up to management to enforce it. When you work from home, it can be hard to gage your own progress. As freelancers, you must be able set your own goals and create a timeline that ‘works’. This can be problematic for those that don’t like to (or simply can’t) follow a schedule.

Difficult to Problem Solve

In an office environment, it’s much easier to solve problems with the help of your colleagues. Whether it be computer software issues or customer services inquiries, it takes much longer to fix these issues on your own over the phone (with limited communication options at home) then it would in person with the help of a trained professional. This can create extra stress and cost more money over time.

No Paid Sick Leave or Pension Contributions

Financial securities are important and often provided to employees (by most companies and businesses)
in the way of healthcare benefits, paid sick leave and pension contributions. Freelancers are usually not so lucky! They must be able to pay for their own medical and/or dental bills/insurance independently and contribute their own pension plans, which could cost thousands of dollars out-of-pocket each year!

Is Working from Home Right for You?

From the information presented above, you can see that there are both pros and cons to working from home. You must decide for yourself which are more prevalent (the advantages or the disadvantages) and will have the biggest impact on your overall health and happiness. To be a freelancer, you must:

have an incredible sense of self-discipline
be able to concentrate and focus amid distractions
know how to manage your time efficiently
be well-organized and follow a work-from-home schedule
be able to work effectively on your own, without supervision

Before you decide if working from home is right for you, there are a few questions you need to answer first. You must be able to say ‘yes’ to each, truthfully and honestly if you hope to be successful. These questions include the following:

Do you have an appropriate working from home environment? Is it safe, comfortable and free of distractions? Do you have a suitable office space to work with the equipment you’ll need?
Is your family supportive of your desire to run a home business? Are they willing to cooperate with you to ensure you have the time and space needed to succeed professionally?
Do you have a plan in place to create a healthy work/life balance? Are you able to separate your personal life from your professional life at home?
Are you able to design a work-from-home schedule, with daily tasks to be accomplished or goals to be met, and stick to it?
Can you financially afford to work from home? Can you cover your medical and/or dental bills (for yourself and your family) independently? Can you contribute to your own pension plan?

What are the Pros and Cons of Working from Home?