As more and more companies embrace flexible working, many employees are exploring their Work from home ( WFH) options. Untill recently there had been a stigma around those that worked from home. Employees working from home are often viewed as ‘lazy’ or unproductive. We have all heard the office jokes about that one woman/man in the office ‘working from home’ whom we all think is currently in their pyjamas eating biscuits and watching daytime TV! However you may want to rethink that stereotype. Let’s look at 5 reasons why working from home could work for you.
No Commute
Working from home means no lobger having to brave the daily commute which can add a considerable amound of time to your already busy day. The work commute can be very stressful and that stress can impact your whole working day. Removing that commute and stress from your day will allow you to function more efficiently and help meet your objectives.
Productivity
Working from home will greatly improve your productivity. In a survey carried out by Canada Life , employees working from home marked their level of productivity as 7.7 out of 10. This compares with a mark of 6.5 for those working in offices.
Another study was conducted by Stanford Graduate School of Business professor Nicholas Bloom for China’s largest travel agency,Ctrip.
He divided the study volunteers into 2 groups , one group continued to work from the office and the other worked from home. He monitored both groups over the course of 2 years. The study found that productivity increased by 13% amongst those working from home. Ctrip eventually rolled out a WFH option to it’s employees and they reported a $2000 profit per person for those working from home.
There are obvious reasons why your productivity would increase once you start working from home. Firstly because you are not having to brave the commute, you will actually be working your full day. You will not be going for long lunches with colleagues or have to leave early to return home to receive a package or let the plumber in.
The usual office distractions are also removed from your day. You will not be distracted by colleagues dropping by your desk for a chat ( gossip!) , phones ringing or the birthday doughnuts!
Work Life Balance
Working from home inevitably means that you can attend appointments and work on your ‘life admin’. You can attend the appointments at the dentist, the doctor etc without having to take time off or leave the office early. It is also helpful for parents, juggling work and childcare commitments.
Independence and Flexibility
Working from home gives your more freedom over your schedule. You can create a schedule that suits you, stopping for breaks and working on tasks as and when it suits you. You can coose to work from your home office or even from your nearest coffee shop. As long as you are completing your work, how you schedule your day is your choice.
That flexibility means that it’s easy to take breaks as needed without feeling judged by your colleagues. You have the space to stretch, take some quick excercise or just have a short breathing space from work. You will also find yourself eating more healthily, instead of the quick snacks normally found in the office canteen.
Dress Code
Obviously , working from home, you can choose to dress in whatever suits you. You are not tied to the usual business attire. You could even work in your pyjamas if you chose too! You need to be mindful of this if you have any video calls.
Of course home working may not be for everyone. There can be issues with trying to connect with your colleagues, getting support from management and trying to ensure that your work and home lives do not coincide. However, given the benefits outlined above, it maybe worth thinking about.
