Remote work has become a popular option (and necessity in some cases over the last couple of years) and this type of work arrangement will undoubtedly continue to grow well into 2022 and beyond. If you’re someone who’s used to an office or a retail floor, you might be wondering if you should make the move to remote work. It’s a huge lifestyle change and seems like a very positive one, but there are multiple pros and cons to take into consideration when deciding on making the switch in a new job or are considering asking your employer to let you work from home.
Pros:
1 – Improved Work-life Balance
Working remotely means you can spend more time living your life outside of work. If you’re always working at home, you’ll get to spend more time with your family or friends. Since many remote jobs allow you to shift around your schedule, you can take however many breaks you need in the day to decompress from work.
2 – Freedom and Flexibility
Some remote jobs will still keep you on a schedule, but others allow you to work at your own pace. If you’re lucky enough to land one of these jobs, you’re afforded more freedom than the average worker. A flexible remote job allows you to find your own rhythm and create your schedule around your job rather than the usual other way around. For instance, you can begin your workday at 10 am one day, and 5 pm the next. In many cases, working from home allows you to tailor your job to fit you best.
3 – Savings
You save a lot of money working remotely, from the gas or ride fare to get to your job to the money you’d be using to pay for lunches and coffee breaks when you’re at work. Not only money, but time – your commute time is cut down to literally nothing. Once again, that’s even more time and money that’ll wind up dedicated to your life outside of work.
Cons:
1 – Isolation
Yes, you might have Zoom meetings and Slack conversations, but digitally connecting with your co-workers and clients will never be the same as it would be in person. Remote work can be isolating and lead to increased loneliness, which can overall be negative to your mental health. While the pros are all great ones, remote work may not be for you if you’re somebody who requires consistent human connection in your life.
2 – Motivation Struggles
You’re at home lounging on your couch in pajamas all day with no boss watching over your shoulder – it sounds great, but it just means it’s easy to remain unmotivated and often wind up distracted, particularly if your work is on your computer. If you feel like you could fall into this trap, remote work might not be your best bet. Even if your boss is flexible, it’s better to have a dependable reputation than to slip up a few times because you struggled to be motivated at home.
3 – Lack of Information
Since your boss, co-workers and clients are not always at the ready to help you when you need it, you might not have all the information you need available to you. Getting the answers you need to finish a task isn’t as easy as walking up to your boss and having a conversation, it means waiting for an email reply, and perhaps a few more if you require clarity, which is easier to get in person. This could lead to your work being done improperly or late by no error of your own.
Keep these pros and cons in mind when you’re applying to remote jobs moving forward. Make sure when job hunting that work-from-home jobs actually do offer these pros, and that the cons are things you’ll be able to work around. Remote work can be as rewarding as it can be stressful, so it’s important to make sure it can work for you before fully committing.
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Emily Morrison is a media professional with passions for writing, film and popular culture.
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