Working at Home vs. Working in an Office: Pros and Cons

Today, many workers are being offered the opportunity to work remotely instead of going into an office every day to work. This is seen as a benefit, and many workers do take advantage of it. But before you accept, it’s worth taking a closer look at both the pros and cons of this arrangement. 

Autonomy

When you work at home, there’s no boss looking over your shoulder, making sure you’re working on the tasks you’ve been assigned. There are no co-workers making sure you’re putting in your full 8 hours so you don’t “get away” with anything they can’t get away with. For people who are more productive alone, this is a nice benefit.

The flip side of this is loneliness. Even people who aren’t particularly social may feel that working home alone leads to a sense of isolation over time. They may miss the chatter of others working around them, or even the feedback that a boss may offer over the course of a workday.

Commute

If you previously had a long commute to work, working from home can feel great. You no longer have to sit in traffic, on a bus or a train for that long ride into the office. The lack of having to commute gives you more hours to yourself each day, which is a definite benefit.

But commuting has its benefits, too. Many commuters find that this alone time to and from work gives them a breather, or allows them to enjoy time reading a book or catching up on the news. Even those who commute by driving often enjoy the alone time in the car to reflect on things or strategize certain work-related situations.

Flexibility

When you work from home, you gain a great deal of flexibility. You can get up and go to the kitchen to get a snack whenever you want. You can throw a load of laundry in the wash, or sneak out for a quick 15-minute walk for exercise, fresh air and sunshine. Most remote workers highly value this benefit.

But the same flexibility that you have by working from home can be problematic, too. You might find that you snack a little too much, or you get distracted by those side tasks around the house, and your actual work falls behind. Unless you’re a highly disciplined individual, flexibility might end up being a challenge to overcome, rather than a benefit.

Expenses

Working from home means that you’ll have a home office, and a home office equals tax deductions. Your CPA can help you to calculate exactly how many deductions you may be entitled to. They can be significant, so you don’t want to miss out on any of them. You might also save money by not having to spend so much on a business wardrobe.

The tax deductions you get from working at home could be offset a little, since you’ll be using more energy resources. You’ll be operating things like a computer, peripherals, etc., so your energy use will go up, too. You might even need to buy more food, since you’ll be making all your meals at home. Still, in this category, the savings and deductions win out over any little extra expenses you may incur by working from home.

Distractions

At work, you may have had to contend with a chatty coworker who feels compelled to regale you with all her life’s details or all the office gossip. This is a common complaint that office workers have, and there’s no easy way to stop someone who’s essentially just being overly-friendly in a work environment. So being able to avoid this by working at home is a great feature.

But distractions at home can be worse. Younger children may not have the capacity to grasp that even though mom or dad is at home, they can’t get attention from them all day long. It may be even harder to tell your kids not to bother you than it was to tell your co-worker you need to get back to work. Also, friends and family members who aren’t work-minded may need to be taught how to respect your work boundaries. This is all navigable, but it’s a common challenge that remote workers have to deal with.

There are also some straight cons to working at home, too:

Blurred Boundaries

Working from home can make it difficult to separate work from personal life, leading to a lack of boundaries. When your home becomes your office, it’s easy to find yourself working longer hours or constantly checking emails, even during personal time. This blurring of boundaries can result in burnout, as employees struggle to disconnect from work and relax.

Lack of Access to Resources and Support

In an office environment, employees have immediate access to resources such as office supplies, high-speed internet, and IT support. Working from home may require individuals to provide their own equipment, which can be costly and may not be as reliable as the resources available in an office. Additionally, remote workers may find it more challenging to receive timely support from managers or colleagues, especially when dealing with technical issues or urgent tasks.

Feeling Professional

In an office environment, you’re forced to groom and dress in an appropriate manner for doing business. At home, remote workers often brag about being able to work in their pajamas. But there’s something inherently negative about this. Dressing for work gives you a certain feeling of being professional and accomplished, whereas you may begin to have doubts about your abilities if you never change out of your pajamas. 

Both working from home and working in an office have their pros and cons, and the best choice depends on individual preferences, job requirements, and company policies. While working from home offers flexibility, cost savings, and increased productivity, it also presents challenges such as isolation and blurred boundaries. If you’re given the option, it’s worth at least trying to work from home. If it doesn’t work, talk to your boss about switching back to working in the office.

by Kate Supino