In recent years, the number of home-based workers has been on the increase. Add the Coronavirus and it’s become more than just an option: some businesses have had to do it to survive. Employers have been relieved that they can still contact their employees through a number of channels. In return, the staff are safe from harm’s way at home, and not wearing masks or self-distancing from colleagues. This article sets out even more reasons why so many people believe this is the way forward.
Lots of options
There are a lot of jobs that can be done remotely, from proofreading to copywriting, and from bookkeeping to freelance writing. When researching at-home options the experts revealed there are a number of different courses that can be taken to advance one’s career journey. They also warned against a number of home-working scams such as ‘email processing’ and ‘recruitment’ activities which actually leave you out of pocket. It’s therefore wise to look into a career opportunity before jumping right in.
Easy to communicate
With software like Slack, employees can easily contact their colleagues and bosses online. Skype and Zoom can also be used for video calls between workers. Telephones are also helpful.
In an ideal world, someone would work from a specially designated room, used as an office. The reality, however, is that people can work from their own living room, kitchen, or garden if they want. With the massive introduction of mobile phones, we can conduct work even when we are traveling. People can use tablets or laptops, or whatever they have to hand for their work.
A business that operates from one physical site will seek to recruit people who can travel there to work. This immediately discounts people who live in another town or country and are not going to move nearer. When work becomes online and people can operate remotely, it’s possible to employ the best people without discounting some due to distance.
It’s cheaper
Employees may love the fact that the car can stay on the drive. That means less wear and tear, and fewer petrol bills. Alternatively, they will save on train travel or walking time. They may even experience tax benefits through the fact that they are home working. Lots of office work is done online and stored in the cloud, so there may not be lots of paperwork to store at home.
It’s a common practice for people to not bring a packed lunch to work. They may instead pay for a sandwich that’s full of salt or sugar to make it taste better, and consume sugary drinks. When you work from home, however, you save money and can be wise about what is eaten and drunk. The same applies to snacks. No crisps here- but healthy snacks like pieces of carrot!
Employers in turn save money on premises and office equipment.
Home Comforts
Some people may feel unwell in the morning and decide against traveling to work. Having said that, they may feel well enough to work from their own home.
There will always be workers who want a window open and those who feel the cold; those who like noise or music and others who want silence. Working from home provides the space to set one’s own environment: perhaps relaxing classical music or the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.
Employees are usually encouraged not to eat lunch at their desks, but in reality many do. It’s not good for people, and these desks are frequently a home for germs. If a person works from home, they can sit in their own kitchen to have a coffee break or lunch.
It’s hard to feel relaxed in an office. For a start, it’s away from home and probably more functional and sterile than homely. Also, office clothes have to be worn most days. What could be better than relaxing in your own clothes and even taking a shower at a time that suits you!
Contact with other people
Having colleagues around you can be noisy and distracting, whilst working from home can be peaceful. It’s very therapeutic if someone has a dog and can walk it during the lunch break. It’s good for the dog too! There’s also the chance for some family time during coffee and lunch breaks – perhaps a talk to the wife or giving the baby a cuddle.
Flexible working hours
This world is full of ‘morning people’ and ‘evening people’. Working from home provides the wonderful possibility of working when one is most alert and productive. The words ‘work-life balance’ are frequently used these days. More and more people need extra income but cannot work 9 to 5 hours due to other factors like children. Flexible working hours open the door to greater possibilities.
One survey found that people were 13% more productive when they worked from home. We’ve seen a number of key factors today, ranging from career choices to money-saving, functionality to home comforts, contact with others, and flexible hours. With a new working routine comes new challenges, but for many the positives far outway the negatives.
