The global pandemic that hit our planet in 2020 was one of the initial reasons for more and more companies and business owners engaging in remote work. It would be comic if it weren’t tragic, but the COVID-19 pandemic made remote working more popular than it ever was.
Today, both professionals and organizations all over the planet are very seriously committed to this kind of working arrangement.
Of course, it’s not like remote work was unknown to companies before the mess started. People were only used to working from the office and in specific conditions.
However, things have changed, but in a good way. Today, people see remote work as a future with more advantages and better working conditions.
If you decide to read this article, it is evident that you also consider working remotely. You need some straightforward reasons for whether this type of arrangement is more convenient than in-office work.
Before you try to conclude for yourself, here are the top pros and cons that can help you see if remote work is indeed the future that will make your life easier.
Pros of remote work
Let’s look into some of the positive sides of working from home.
More flexibility
Most companies that offer remote work to their employees have more than flexible working hours.
Do you want the joy of having the ability to scatter your working hours across the day and be the creator of your working schedule? Then the best option is to look for remote work, primarily if you can’t exclusively focus only on your career.
Remote work is excellent for people who have children and all children-related obligations during the day. The flexibility I’m talking about means you can have time to prepare everything that depends on you before you sit and focus on your job.
Better work-life harmony
Since remote work typically has flexible working hours, you can create the perfect balance in your private and career life. You can spend more time with your partner, family, and friends without thinking about an unfinished job.
You can create your schedule and organize your job around your private life. Not commuting to work means you can have a lot of free time to achieve a work-life balance, be happier, and be satisfied with your working conditions.
Enhanced productivity
When you have more infrequent interruptions during work hours, like having to talk with colleagues or engage in social activities at the office, it’s clear that you can be more productive. The truth is it’s always more fun to joke around with colleagues when you have important work to finish.
However, when you work from home, you can focus more on the job with fewer distractions from other things around you. It’s easier to get into the zone, arrange your work hours, and complete your assignments on time.
More importantly, if you show your ambition and productivity to your employers, you will earn their trust and have better career opportunities.
Minimal expenses
Another fantastic thing about remote work is that it is undoubtedly less costly for your employers and your budget. Working from home means you can save a lot of money eating lunch and drinking coffee during your breaks.
You can also save on transportation costs and fuel, and you don’t have to spend a fortune buying business clothes. You don’t even have to wear uncomfy pants, shirts, and skirts unless you have an important video conference with your business partners.
Cons of remote work
Sometimes working from home doesn’t work out. Let’s explore just some of the reasons.
Lack of social interaction
Yes, nowadays, it is all about technology, and we can communicate projects with everyone by using the benefits of our little devices.
However, face-to-face interaction is what most people underestimate these days. There’s something special about sharing the conversation with your colleagues during lunch.
Difficulty in meeting the targets
Remote work is brilliant because you can create your schedule and optimize everything according to your needs. However, if nobody’s checking your progress and you lack discipline, you might have difficulties finishing your assignments on time.
In-office work is suitable for those who need motivation, discipline, and someone to push their limits. If you’re the person who needs to be in a group to be productive and work efficiently, avoid applying for remote jobs.
Management challenges
While working remotely sounds exciting and more convenient, one thing that most people forget about is that nobody is coming to your rescue if you encounter a problem. When working remotely, almost every little thing depends on you.
You need to learn to deal with technical problems and how to fix them quickly without calling the rescue team. All the apps and devices you use must be operational and functional 24/7, but more importantly, you need to know how to use them.
No one will organize your schedule, and no one will jump in and help you finish your assignments.
Bottom line
So, is it genuinely better to work remotely? Well, I’m sure you’ve found your answers by reading this post.
Discipline and responsibility come first when it comes to remote work. If you create perfect harmony and organize your time, none of these disadvantages listed above will be a challenge.