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Forbes, a leading American business magazine, recently published a report discussing the future of work. The world of work witnessed a huge shift as the COVID-19 pandemic made remote working mandatory. As corporations across the globe continue to adjust to the new world of work, several businesses are prioritizing work from home models.
There are several benefits and challenges of work from home. But before we fast forward to that, let’s take a moment to understand what work from home means and if it’s a healthy option in the long run.
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What Does It Mean To Work From Home?
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When Work From Home Is Good For You
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When Work From Home Isn’t Good For You
What Does It Mean To Work From Home?
Rapid digitization has ensured that we’re no longer bound by physical presence and geographical locations when it comes to our professional lives. While the recent pandemic has accelerated the growth of work-from-home options, many enterprises already allowed this flexibility in various forms. Some occupations that required freelance or part-time work didn’t need employees to be physically present in the office.
Work from home, popularly known by its acronym ‘WFH’, is a mode of working that allows employees to work from the physical space(s) of their homes. Individuals don’t have to be physically present in the office and have greater autonomy and flexibility when it comes to scheduling or planning their days. However, successful WFH is only possible with a good internet connection, up-to-date software and functional devices such as laptops and phones.
Employers benefit greatly from WFH models. Not only do they save on costs and resources but WFH also helps boost employee productivity and efficiency. Even employees find the WFH model highly convenient for multiple reasons. Read on to explore the benefits of work from home.
When Work From Home Is Good For You
If you’re new to a remote job and want to gauge whether this unique mode of work is good for you, consider the following advantages of work from home:
1. Flexibility And Freedom
One of the greatest benefits of work from home is that it allows you plenty of independence and flexibility. From planning day-to-day activities to deciding work hours, you have the freedom to make things easier for yourself. For example, you can schedule personal work around working hours and dedicate your attention to multiple aspects of life.
2. Savings And Efficiency
WFH means no traveling to work, which further means that there are no commuting costs. It minimizes the stress of booking cabs, running after a bus or driving to work. This not only acts as a mood booster but also helps in cost efficiency. You can devote your savings to other important aspects of your life.
3. Opportunities And Exposure
For anyone who wants to sharpen their communication skills, WFH is a great option. Because you’re bound to convey information to keep everyone updated, you end up using different communication tools and channels. Remote teams often bring together a global pool of employees from diverse backgrounds. This creates opportunities for networking and collaboration.
When Work From Home Isn’t Good For You
While the benefits of work from home are immense, you can’t overlook the challenges it presents. Consider these disadvantages of work from home and how you can best tackle them:
- While social isolation is inevitable in WFH models, there’s also emotional isolation that eventually seeps in. The inability to talk to someone face-to-face or brainstorm with a group of people in a meeting room can be alienating. You can tackle this by being active on formal and informal team channels. Scheduling informal catchup sessions with coworkers is also greatly effective.
- There may be reduced expenses because of the elimination of commuting and eating out, but there is also an increased expense of running a home office. From purchasing equipment such as headsets or video cameras to setting up office furniture and installing high-speed internet, WFH can be pocket-pinching. Communicate with your employers and see if they can help bear some of these costs.
- Contrary to popular belief, WFH creates a disproportionate work-life balance. While working in the comforts of home may be a luxury, home is not always the best place to be productive. It’s crucial to prioritize your health and emotional well-being. Something as simple as following a strict schedule and having strict start and stop hours is essential in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
In short, if you want to learn how to work from home in a healthy and fruitful manner, you need to set some ground rules for yourself. However, it isn’t always easy to navigate such instrumental changes in life. If you want to face such dynamic situations confidently, try Harappa’s Embracing Change course. Powerful frameworks will teach you how to overcome changes and challenges while being resilient. Go above and beyond with Harappa today!
Explore Harappa Diaries to learn more about topics such as Tips For Work From Home, Benefits Of Virtual Working, Work-Life Integration and What Is Workplace Diversity to advance in your career.
