Working from home - Is it for you?

Working remotely is increasingly becoming a trend with major JSE-listed companies and not just smaller enterprises. Financial departments have also noticed the economic impact on having employees work from their personal space, however, is this shift suitable for everyone? More importantly, is working from home for you?

You get to choose your own hours
Pro: Probably one of the most attractive perks of working from home is the freedom to choose the hours you get work done. Perhaps your day involves dropping off and picking up the kids at school, having flexible working hours will allow you the ability to do so. Furthermore, you get to focus on your tasks when you feel the most productive and do not waste time sitting at your desk watching the needles on the clock go by.

Con: A 'quick' trip to the grocery store, doing chores, or even catching up on that new episode of your favorite Netflix series are all potential distractions that can prevent you from getting any work done. You will be telling yourself that you will get your work done at a later time, however, procrastinating will only make your work pile up.

Social Interaction
Pro: If you perform well on your own, then working from home is just for you. Create your own working environment in your own space that works best for you. If you want a change of scenery, you can work from the garden, a quaint coffee shop with a sea view, or a coworking space near you. New environments can enhance your creativity. Furthermore, you will be able to avoid people and ultimately office politics.

Con: While sometimes not being around other co-workers may be a better way to get work done, it also means that you are reducing the lack of social interaction you have with them. There are no coffee and lunch breaks, no exchanging weekend plans with your colleagues, and things alike. This solitude can be really difficult for some people to handle.

Cost
Pro: You can save a fortune when you take that step to work from home. Your transport and petrol costs will reduce significantly. You can also request a re-evaluation on your car insurance premiums since it will not be used as much and it would be parked at home. The wear and tear of the vehicle will also be reduced, saving you money in the long term. Being at home further enables you to prepare your own food instead of ordering from expensive takeaways.

Con: While you may save on food and your vehicle, you also need to factor in the costs involved in using your own equipment like computers, printers, internet connections, and insurance for these items.

Lifestyle
Pro: Since there is no need to travel to an office daily, your stress levels will be reduced. You will be more productive and sleep better. In addition, you will be able to cook and eat healthier and exercise more regularly. The chances are that you will get sick much lesser as you are not exposed to the countless germs and bacteria you will find in a closed office environment.

Con: Although working from home is great for your lifestyle, it can also be detrimental to your health. You may not want to invest much money in ergonomic chairs and proper home office equipment so you opt to lay on the couch or bed to get your work done. Sooner or later this is sure to cause issues such as terrible back pain.

Given that the notion of working from home may be like a dream to most people and a great career move, with the right office space it can be an attainable reality. Perhaps you need to get a bigger home to cater for your home office, or wish to move to a better location, contact Knight Frank Properties today and we will assist you in making working from home happen.