With a shift towards the work-from-home policy, praise and criticism have followed. While people are still struggling to adjust to the new normal, this approach towards executing business processes has also come with its pros and cons. If you have been working from home, then you are pretty familiar with what all working from home has to offer. If not, then you have come to the right place. Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of working from home that you can be wary of in case you are about to sign up for your first job that offers the work-from-home approach. To learn more, read ahead.
Work From Home – What It’s All About
The pandemic forced governments to go into lockdown. Containing the virus required people to have as little contact as possible. The work from home policy helped expedite this process and pulled down the transmission rate. However, this was a make-it-or-break-it decision for business as most offices are close-knit spaces where people work together in collaboration. Many have been able to sustain this collaboration through a virtual platform, while most are still struggling to adjust.
The Pros
The pros of working from home can be listed as follows.
Cutbacks in time taken to commute
One of the most detested aspects of going to work is the time taken to commute. For many, waking up early, getting dressed, and then figuring out the shortest route to work where traffic is at its minimum is an added stress. However, the work from home policy has eliminated this worry and time spent on commuting to work. This has also cut down on expenses spent on fuel costs and transportation.
Flexibility in terms of planning the day
Working from home has allowed people to take a flexible approach towards their job. They can plan their day around the work they have scheduled and find time to spend with the r family as per their preference.
The Cons
Now, let’s have a look at the drawbacks of working from home.
Not suited for all businesses and jobs
The work from home model has not been a sustainable solution for all businesses. Especially those which require fieldwork and the physical presence of labor. Here is where most of the layoffs have been observed. On the other hand, those businesses with the capacity and resources to shift online have seen a resurgence in their profits. Thus, making the work from home model not suited for all industries.
Struggle to Balance Leisure time with work
When working from home, adjusting work hours and leisure time is a hassle many have had to face. With no clear-cut restrictions and protocols on making this work, productivity levels have seen a downfall. Thus, placing employees on the slippery slope of figuring out how to manage their time efficiently without having to compromise on productivity.
The Bottom Line
The pandemic has changed the way businesses and individuals execute tasks and think of the future. It has opened up avenues of growth and allowed people to explore potential areas. The benefits have been plenty, but they have also come at a cost. Isolation and blurred lines between leisure and work hours have added to the realm of the dark shadow of mental health that the pandemic has cast. The long-term impacts of these, however, are yet to be seen.
