Since the Covid-19 pandemic, many companies had to adjust the way they operated by allowing their employees to work from home. Even now after the pandemic, some companies offer a remote, work from home option to their employees. While working from home may seem ideal for most given its convenience, it isn’t always the best option for everyone. There are definitely pros and cons to working from home. You need to personally decide if the good outweighs the bad for your style of working and the requirements of your business. According to Forbes and a research study done by Ladders, data scientists insist that remote work is here to stay. According to their projections, 25% of all professional jobs in North America will be remote by the end of 2022, and remote opportunities will continue to increase through 2023. If you have the opportunity to join a virtual staff, weighing the pros and cons is crucial. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of advantages and disadvantages of working from home.

Advantages of Working from Home

No Commute Time or Expense

For those who live in larger cities, commuting to work not only takes a lot of extra time, but with the increasing gasoline prices, the expense of commuting is higher too. Working from home saves money on gasoline and limits wear and tear of your vehicle if you drive your own car. Depending on the distance that you must travel, every little bit adds up, so you can potentially save you a lot of money by avoiding driving altogether.

More Flexibility to Take Care of Appointments and Errands

Sometimes one of the most difficult things about a 9-5 office desk job is working around personal schedules, especially if you are a parent. When you work from home, there is a little bit more leeway for appointments and things that need to be done or unexpectedly arise. However, keep in mind that productivity and deadlines should also be a priority to meet. Having the flexibility can ease your mind if you do need to step away from work.

You Can Get More Work Done

Working in an office can pose difficulty in the sense that there can often be more distractions. Sometimes interruptions are in the form of colleagues, meetings or boss hovering. If you have worked in an office setting, you know exactly what a challenge it can be to focus, to start or complete a task with work distractions. Depending on your work style, working from home can help minimize distractions and increase productivity. You have to realize what are the external factors that motivates and keeps you on track to be the best you can be.

Fewer Interruptions From Meetings or Employee Chatter

Building off the last advantage, it can get very distracting especially on a Monday when colleagues want to talk about what happened during their weekend away from work. Never ending interruptions from meetings or employee chatter can become very frustrating and distracting. It is a bit easier to sit and focus in the comfort of your own home office. Fewer interruptions result in accomplishing more and increased productivity.

Save Money on Work Wardrobe

In addition to saving money on commuting expenses, saving money on your work wardrobe also comes into play. Depending on the required dress of your company, having to purchase clothing for work can be quickly replaced by working at home in more casual clothes.

Ability to Create Your Own Workspace

Having your own workspace is important for a variety of reasons, but most importantly, to keep you focused and comfortable while being productive. If you aren’t comfortable, it is hard to remain focused on the task at hand. Beflo’s signature product is the Tenon, a luxury and smart sit down/stand up desk, alongside a full suite supporting accessories designed to make your life easier. Our products are perfect for tech-forward professionals who work from home and value maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle, as well as a beautiful and modern home.

Disadvantages of Working from Home

Lack of Adult Interaction

Even though you may have more time at home with your family, connecting with other adults can be something that you are longing for and something we all need. If you are not close with your co-workers or if they aren’t your cup of tea, then working from home could be the better option. However, as human beings we need that human interaction, so it is important to make sure that we prioritize those additional outings even if it is to go out for a coffee or lunch break.

Being Unable to Unplug

When you commute to an office, you are definitely getting a break between work and home. This allows you to take a mental break from any tech devices and to refresh your mind before getting down to business. When you work from home, it can seem like you are constantly plugged in and that can get overwhelming and create burnout.

No Definite Start or Ending Work Time

Working from home can often take a toll if you don’t set time limits. Many who work from home find themselves working long hours, simply because they set no start or end times. When you do not set these limits, you may feel as if you are always working. This can lead to burnout or turn into a decrease in productivity.

You Have to be More Self-Motivating

If you are the type of person who thrives under management, it may be difficult for you to self-motivate while you are at home. If you are the type of person who needs a boss to give you that extra push, working from home might not be the answer. Underperformance can become a huge concern, but if you are a work from home employee, motivating yourself to get the job done is necessary. Time management is one of the biggest struggles many people cite when working from home. It is important to make time management a priority if you do decide that working from home is a better option for you.

Less Change of Scenery

When you work from home, there is usually just one view… your home office. This can get tiring and become exhausting and monotonous if you are constantly sitting in the same place day in and day out. If you do not take the time to move from the same spot, the lack of change of scenery can create cabin fever and the lack of motivation. If you must work from home, try scheduling lunch meetings, breaks or other meetings during the day (away from home) to ensure that you get out of the house to break up the monotony.

Family Distraction

Many remote workers are distracted by children (especially small children) when they work remotely. It is important to remind your family that even though you have the privilege of working from home that you do need that time to focus on working. Communicate with your family and let them know when you are working and when you are taking breaks. When they understand that you are unavailable then it can make it a little easier to focus. If you create a work friendly environment where you can shut the door and focus on work, it will make working from home easier.

Upgrade Your Work From Home Setup with Beflo

Working from home has its pros and cons. Depending on how you work best and how productive you can be for the company you work for should determine whether working from home is the best option for you. If you choose the work from home route, having the proper space for work mode is important. Being comfortable and sitting ergonomically correctly when working helps alleviate some of that unnecessary stress on your body physically. When you upgrade your work from home setup with Beflo you are guaranteed the following benefits:

• Adaptive Comfort - Ergonomic design that works for your home, environment, style, posture and needs
• Holistic Wellbeing - Promote holistic wellbeing through multi-sensorial stimulation for better health, better mood and enjoyment of all senses
• Ultimate Ease - Accommodating experiences that work for customers, not against them, so they can focus on what matters
• Lasting Innovation - Durable solutions that stand the test of time, with regular innovations all in the sake of improving customer’s lives

These are all important benefits when setting up your work from home space. Check out Beflo’s full collection of products designed to upgrade your work from home life including the Pebble Pro portable laptop docking station, the Obsidian aroma diffuser, the Mica wireless charger and much more.

In conclusion, since the pandemic changed the way that the world has worked, we have learned that it isn’t for everyone. Working from home can be a blessing and a curse, but ultimately you need to decide what is best for you and the company you work for. This can be determined by weighing the pros and cons when making that decision.