Working from home or freelancing seems like a great idea. It is not like this? Many people think that working from home for any business, online or freelance job gives them more space and freedom. It definitely does. It has many advantages that I will discuss later, however, the demands and disadvantages of it should not be ignored.
Advantage:
Let’s talk about the positives and negatives of working from home:
Work according to your own schedule: This is perhaps the biggest advantage you have in home work. You can make a flexible schedule according to your comfort level. Start or stop working whenever you want. If you feel a little need to rest, just turn off and take a break. Some people like to work in the late afternoon or evening. They will be more than happy if they have an opportunity to work from home. You can have lunch, dinner, tea and coffee whenever you want. Just relax, make your own hours and work anytime or 24 hours a day. Manage your time as you feel comfortable.
Be your own boss: Unlike office jobs, you don’t have a BOSS. No one will come to your desk to check if you are working or not. No complaints or scolding from BOSS whatsoever. ‘There is no sword hanging over the head’ is one of the most relaxing thoughts for many people. So no stress or less than office work.
It can be managed on weekends or part-time: Flexibility is one of the biggest benefits of working from home. If your job isn’t too stretched, you can manage it on the weekends and part-time alongside a regular job. If you are working with a company that allows you to work as much as is easily manageable, you should take advantage of working from home. It would be a great source of income, although it may not be very well paid. However, with a few hours of weekly work, you can earn extra money.
Decorate your office space as you like best: Not only time, space is also yours at work from home. You can arrange a corner for your table and computer system wherever you want. Decorate it with flowers, photos, colors and things of your choice. If necessary, you can also change the place. If your work is primarily computer-based, you can sit with your laptop on the lawn, rooftop, balcony, etc. Not limited to a single space.
Much savings: When you enter an office, you have to go to work 5 days a week. You have to maintain a proper wardrobe, as well as raise a large amount of money for monthly transportation and food expenses. Sometimes your office is located far away and getting there is nothing short of a hassle. Or you have to depend on outside food that you don’t like. Some of the companies offer to pick up and drop off food for employees for a reasonable cut from their salary. But that way, they get great ease. Clothing, transportation and food expenses consume a large part of his salary. Working from home totally minimizes clothing and transportation expenses. So it’s still the only food you enjoy in the form of low-priced, healthy home-cooked meals.
No frustrating coworkers or workplace problems: One of the biggest and most stressful problems in the office and a regular job is the presence of unpleasant and uncooperative coworkers. Harassment is also a big problem in the workplace, especially for women. Working from home saves you from these frustrating things that can also have a negative effect on your health and career growth.
Disadvantages:
Above were some positive aspects of working from home. Now, let’s take a look at the negatives as well:
Laziness: Working from home gives you the advantage of flexible hours, but it also requires great self-discipline. If you are lazy, you cannot meet the deadlines. You should have to make a schedule and set a daily work schedule to make it run smoothly. Postponing work to the next day will hurt your progress.
Working alone offers no competition: The presence of coworkers provides a competitive environment and motivates you to work better and better. Work at home has none of that. You are your own competitor there, so the performance comparison does not involve either. Competing and defeating yourself is not easy for everyone.
Provide a space at home: If you have a lot of space at home, great. But if you live in a confined space, it can be difficult to get a room to work from home. Also, you may have to tolerate noise and disturbances from children and family.
Lack of communication between the team: If you work for a remote or out-of-country employer, you feel a lack of communication with other teammates and employers. Online meetings and chat cannot produce the results that face-to-face and office jobs deliver. The time difference between countries is also important. You may have to wait for the meeting or chat for many hours.
Ethics and work culture: Ethics and culture matter a lot if you work for an employer outside of the country. If an African works for an American company, they may face cultural and behavioral problems. Some cultures don’t like hearing NO from employees; some encourage you to express your opinion. Therefore, working from home can also be stressful due to cultural differences.
So these are the positives and negatives related to working from home. If you like it, you must take into account all these aspects. Consider all facets before diving into home work. It is not suitable for everyone. If you’re ready to take on and meet the demands of work from home, go ahead. If not, prefer an office job.