Edition: October 29th, 2021
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
(Image Source: bamboozle.com)
- Excerpts from article by Stuart Gentle, published on onrec.com
Working from home (WFH) isn’t a novel notion but it has grown in popularity with the younger crowd, who prefer the flexibility of independent employment over the security of corporate positions.
Recent developments, on the other hand, have pushed firms from all industries into the mix. Many were under-prepared and inadequately equipped for such a situation.
While managing a remote office does come with its own share of challenges, it is possible to create a viable WFH model.
By using appropriate tools and tactics, companies can readily incorporate WFH in their long-term strategy.
Pros of working from home
Working from home (WFH) is a fantastic choice for many for a variety of reasons:
1. Improved timeliness and attendance
There are fewer occurrences of absenteeism and turnover when there are no long commutes or traffic congestion. Even if you already have chores to do or personal obligations to attend to, you will not be required to skip work entirely.
2. Workplace flexibility
WFH provides you with greater freedom to make your decisions and work at your own pace. As a consequence, employee motivation and morale are better.
3. Improved concentration
WFH implies you have a whole space to yourself unless you reside in a raucous and busy place. Without workplace interference from colleagues, you can concentrate more effectively on your job and complete tasks much more quickly.
4. Better coordination & cooperation
A WFH environment eliminates geographical barriers, allowing you to collaborate with colleagues from all around the world. Despite being in various time zones, you and your crew can communicate in real-time with the appropriate tools and conversation strategy.
5. Access to a larger reservoir of talent
You may create a new team or improve an established one without having to worry about geography. Some people may be highly skilled, yet they are hampered by restrictions such as disability or geography. You can add people to your company without any limitations if you operate remotely.
Cons of working from home
WFH appears to be a fairly good bargain, but before deciding to opt for it, keep in mind the following possible downsides:
1. Higher costs of running home offices
To complete critical activities and projects, certain remote jobs require particular equipment such as headphones, cameras or software. You may expect to pay some upfront expenditures to have your personal office organised if you want to put up a workstation, chair, and other furnishings.
From an employer’s point of view, the entire team must be provided with appropriate tools to make WFH viable. Unlike in a typical office, where employees might share certain equipment, you’d need to offer individual pieces of equipment to each person.
2. Increased distraction & lower productivity
The distinction between work and family blurs at home. For some people, there seems to be no obvious distinctions between private and professional time. Pets, children, housework, entertainment, neighbourhood activities may quickly distract one.
There’s also the issue of employees either overworking or lagging behind. If you struggle to turn off from a work mindset at home, you risk becoming too pressured and succumbing to burnout. Additionally, you might get so comfortable in your own house that you lose the desire to work properly. In any case, it has the capability to minimise productivity.
3. Isolation and restricted access to info
It’s natural to feel cut off from society when there are no face-to-face contacts. You end up losing your sense of connection and begin to feel excluded from the team. If left ignored, this might have a detrimental impact on staff turnover.
Another challenging aspect of working remotely is gaining access to information. You can’t just stroll into somebody’s cubicle and ask for input or specifics on an ongoing project in a WFH situation.
Consider which setting maintains your concentration the longest, how long it takes to refocus, and how you communicate most effectively.
There are times when a project requires extra peace and quiet, cooperation, or resource preparation. It’s crucial to be ready to switch things around based on how productive you believe you’ll be.
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(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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