Telecommuting: it’s a convenient and comfortable way to work, but how beneficial is it? Due to the reality of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, people have been working from home now more than ever. While the traditional view of working from home has been that it’s detrimental to productivity, quality of work, and speed, there’s reason to believe that it can be a positive solution for workers rather than a negative. However, there are most definitely two sides to this argument, and it’s worth examining both in detail so that you can make the most of it and be mindful of both the advantages and disadvantages it offers.
The work-from-home lifestyle is seemingly the new normal for many people at companies across industries right now, but what exactly does it mean for employees? Here are the pros and cons of working from home.
The Cons: Running the Risk of Slacking While Outside of an Office
While rolling out of bed and completing a shift from the comfort of home may sound like an amazing idea on paper, there are some pitfalls that come up when put into practice. One is the capacity for employees to be more easily distracted at home than they would at an office, as they may feel much more inclined to spend time on social media or watching TV rather than focusing on their work. Without their manager there to look over their shoulder,distractions at home can cause employees to slack off if they aren’t careful. It’s also harder for colleagues to see how hard each person is working, so employees may feel like theyhave to respond to people more quickly than usual to prove that they are alert and at their computers.
Another downside to working from home is that it can blur the lines between home life and work life. This lack of separation between those two components can make employees feel as if they are perpetually at work.
Working from home after taking business courses also does not give you the luxury of collaborating face-to-face with your colleagues, as everything is done via email, online chat, or video chat. Therefore, telecommuting can feel a bit impersonal, and communicating electronically with colleagues can open up room for miscommunication.
The Pros: With the Right Mindset, There Are Many After Business School
One of the biggest benefits for many people is the flexibility that telecommuting can provide. Working from home after you’ve completed business school can mean more time for you to run errands, or take care of other responsibilities such as appointments. Additionally, you get a greater sense of independence you wouldn’t necessarily have in a traditional office setting, which can teach you valuable skills as a result. You can develop greaterself-discipline, and learn how to motivate yourself and concentrate on your work without the structure of an office surrounded by your peers and superiors to do that for you.
Furthermore, you no longer have to fret about getting up and leaving your house in enough time. Better yet, you don’t need to spend money on gas or on subway tickets. You can also gain skills in communicating via group video chats on platforms like Skype, Zoom, and Google Hangouts, eliminating the necessity to physically leave your desk for in-person meetings. While working from home is not always a perfect situation, you can maximize its potential with the correct mindset and discover the many benefits it does provide.
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