Pros and Cons of Working From Home

chillibreeze writer — Shikha Singhi

Working from home – it is a concept that sounds very fascinating to those who are chained to their desks in offices from 9 to 5. Most office-goers would express a desire to work from home sitting in their comfortable cocoons: no unnecessary meetings, freedom from having to impress the bosses, no pressure of competition. But before anyone lets go of a full-time job in favour of its more ostensibly attractive counterpart, they must look at the pros and cons and then make a logical decision that suits him or her.

Let’s look at the advantages first.

1. Flexible work hours –

The most attractive advantage of working from home is the flexibility that comes along with it. A huge population of office-goers long for a freedom from rigid 9 to 5 schedules which often may not translate into efficiency. Most organizations follow age-old dogma that equates physical presence with productivity.

Working from home offers freedom from that. One can choose when to work according to their preference. Day or night does not matter. No more running to catch the 8 o’ clock bus or staring endlessly at the office clock.

Flexibility also lets you attend to other pressing commitments, which one would otherwise let pileup for the weekends. One has better control on priorities that way. The day can be planned as per one’s wishes. You can decide for yourself what work-style to adopt. You can set your own schedules and deadlines and decide how to stick to them.

Indisputably, this one scores many rungs over a strict office regimen and often drives people to look at the option of working from home.

2. Responsibility and Rewards–

The Indian epic, the Bhagvad Gita says, “Keep doing your duty without having any desire for the result.” Indeed, an ideal that many employers wished their employees aspire to. In today’s time, this is almost incomprehensible. Office politics and the management style often leave professionals frustrated. Many a times, the salaries and other benefits are not in line with the competence and the results delivered. People change job after job in search of that one satisfying job (does that exist?)

When working from home, the relationship between the efficiency and the results is often direct and immediate. Better work done fast will help one garner more assignments and therefore higher money. As the old adage goes, the sky is indeed the limit! There is a huge scope to exploit your potential, therefore, leading to a very content you. And why not? How many people do you know who do not work for money?

3. Better quality of life –

Your lifestyle will make your counterparts go green with envy! The lifestyle is luxurious. Work when you have to, play when you want to. No permissions required to go to Alps for a ski trip. You do not have to miss events that mean a lot to your child. Oh yes, your kids would love this lifestyle of yours.

Since you chalk out your day, you would pack in things which are important for you. If watching movies first day first show is your style, then just do it! If sitting endlessly in a coffee-shop inspires/ motivates/relaxes you, take your laptop and get the maximum out of you. Happiness is guaranteed!

4. Minimum interference –

Freedom from the boss. Does anyone need say more? Bosses not only rule your office lives but they often succeed in transcending all boundaries and reach your houses. And soon they become your life. Mobile phones have just made that easier. The more you run away from them, faster they will follow. Okay, many bosses may not be like that, but how many is the question!

If you want the boss to be out of your hair, then go for it – work out of your home, if you have the required skills. No interference might get the best out of you. You get to develop more out of the box thinking when you do not have to follow someone else’s (especially when “boss is always right” policy has to be followed).

5. No commute-

Commuting to work is a necessary evil that we have to suffer. Most of us spend half our lives running for buses and trains and the other half sitting in them. Though we all try to make the best use of this time, but it is like trying our best to minimize the misery. For most, the travel time ranges from one to five hours everyday. Isn’t it a gross wastage of human life?

Working out of home completely takes care of this. The time, that one saves, can be utilized more judiciously. Imagine the amount of work that can be finished if you add up the number of hours you spend commuting in a year. It will also most definitely reduce the daily mental and physical stress of trying to get the bus on time or beating the traffic snarls that one encounters everyday.

Better lifestyle, more money, no boss…working from home promises all this but offers a host of limitations which might take away the oh-so-cool tag away.

1. Irregularity of income and lack of facilities –

Office-goers have a distinct and a prime advantage of financial security. Monthly salary is guaranteed plus there are many other benefits like provident funds, pension, house loans, perks etc. which generally extend up to old age when one is not that capable of earning money and maintaining a lifestyle. A salary slip assures you of a respectable social standing and helps you procure financial assistance from banks and other financial institutions.

There is no such advantage in working out of home. There could be times of financial distress, which could lead to mental trauma. This is especially true in the beginning when the work and the money may not be all that exciting. There are no paid vacations. Absence of medical insurance and old age support are not exactly things that would motivate one to set up an office at home.

2. Less compartmentalization and added stress:

Waiting to get back home everyday and looking forward to relax in the evenings is what an office life is about. It’s not difficult to leave work in office. So office means work and after-office means fun and relaxation. That is how we view our working lives.

It sure is a Herculean task to do just the same when working from home. Work and personal life demarcation may get killed and the work schedules may end up offering no break. Work-life balance can go awry. Never say stop attitude can have its own repercussions. All work and no play- uh, not stimulating!

3. Reduced social activity –

Office is a social place where you meet, interact and have fun with people. We may end up finding our best friends at office. Going to movies after office or drinking binges at a colleague’s pad are what makes our office lives fun. We have our lunch friends or car-pool friends who we like to hang out with. Don’t we love that office gossip about who is dating who!

No such luck here. It is easy to be ostracized from the social world and the computer can end up being our best friend. Yes, it’s completely possible.

4. Lackadaisical work-style –

Working under pressure is a pill that most of us swear by. Fear psychosis (read boss psychosis) also is responsible for people sticking to schedules and delivering.

But it is very easy to adopt a lackadaisical approach when working by oneself. Procrastination comes very easy to all of us. “Let the match get over” followed by “Will work after lunch” to be immediately followed by “Let me take a short nap” is so much like it. Work may never get done and the schedules may go completely haywire as other enjoyable things take precedence over work. We may keep putting off things till disaster comes knocking.

5. Restricted learning and performance –

Many offices encourage people to interact over cups of coffee and have group discussions to arrive at solutions. It has become almost mandatory to be able to work as a part of a team. Brainstorming in conference rooms over pizzas is common sight.

Unfortunately, there is no exchange of ideas or intellectual interaction when working at home. One has to depend on his/her own mental capabilities to arrive at solutions, which may not suffice. Also, the desire to compete with colleagues and perform better is absent, which may limit results.

Working from home spells a promising output with many goodies thrown in, but it works best for those who are responsible and passionate when it comes to delivering. It may, at best be a fantasy for people who need a leash and some control mechanism to perform. But for others, it may well be the onset of an awesome rewarding opportunity!

Chillibreeze's disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article.

Out of 5 “chilies”, our editorial team gave this article...

—About our writer:

Shikha writes for chillibreeze.

>> Read more articles written by Chillibreeze writers:

More resources for Writers on Chillibreeze.com

Chillibreeze offers Indian writers the opportunity to work on customer projects. We are also India’s biggest writer network and a one-stop shop for Indian writers and editors. The writers’ section on Chillibreeze offers freelance writers and editors a variety of tools to advance their careers. Resources for writers include:

Assessment of your writing, editing and proofreading skills

Writing courses

Expert Feedback on your article

An opportunity to promote yourself on our website

Top websites for Indian writers

Tips and resources for Indian freelancers

Book Publishing services

And more………………..

Explore our writers’ section using the links on our left-hand side menu.