Working from home is becoming more and more common. It’s an appealing option for employees, since they have much more flexibility and control of their day. But before you begin remote work (or decide on committing to that WFH life for good), it’s important to consider some of the benefits and possible shortcomings of this transition.
What Remote Work Is Like
Working from home looks different for everyone. Most likely, it consists of working from your laptop or desktop. Maybe you have taken the time to convert a room in your place to a home office. Or if you don’t have space for such an office, you can always grab your laptop and work from the couch or kitchen table. If you’re more of an outdoors person, you can work from your apartment balcony or your backyard.
And if none of that sounds appealing, head to a local coffee shop that has WiFi and set up shop there for the day.
The Positive
Depending on who you ask, you will get a variety of answers as to what the positives are for working at home. Some people love the fact that you can wear whatever you want. Whether that’s sweatpants and a sweatshirt or business casual attire — the choice is up to you. One fairly common reason that people love working from home is that there is no commute. Not having a commute saves you the hour-long drive to and from work every single day. This creates time for other things in your life that you love to do. Not commuting also saves you money on gas and car repairs. Another aspect about working from home people appreciate is being able to take care of children or elderly parents without having to depend on expensive childcare services.
One of the most beneficial things about working from home also worth noting is that it’s less stressful. Studies show that working from home can reduce the stress that’s commonly associated with the workplace. Think about it — you control your work space. That means no outrageously busy offices to navigate or workplaces that aren’t conducive to your creativity and goals.
The Unexpected
Although there are many positives, it’s worthwhile to weigh the negatives of working from home too. For example, if the laundry is piling up at your house you may be tempted to start doing it. However, this can lead you to neglect your work. Another common problem with working from home is simply staying on track. With your television and phone right within your reach, it’s pretty easy to fall into a rabbit hole of distractions. It’s of critical importance that you find ways to stay on task and remain in the work-flow instead of concerned with distractions. Working from home also leaves a gap in your face-to-face human interaction. This can get difficult if you’re a naturally social person, and it can be especially dreary during the winter months.
However, one of the most costly downsides to working from home is the potential of a high electric bill. Working from home means using more electricity (aka, lights and A/C that would otherwise be turned off), so it’s fairly common for bills to rise. If you notice this raise, it would be worthwhile to look into other electric providers.
What You Can Do
When it comes to electricity, certain appliances cost more to run than others. In fact, heating and cooling the home consists of about 40% of the bill, computers and other electronics take up around 15%, and lights costs about 10%. With this in mind, you can hopefully adjust your habits to help lessen the financial load.
If the rising costs of your electric bill is still something of your concern, and you want to switch to an alternate supplier, you should look into and compare electricity costs from different electric suppliers. By comparing energy providers with iSelect, you will learn about the best electric rates for the plan, contract terms, and the lowest price. With their assistance, you’ll be able to find the best provider in no time.
If you plan to keep your current provider, you can always check in with them to ensure you’re getting the best deal available. Or, you can look into forms of renewable energy which can save you money in the longterm.
Final Note
Working from home has some serious pros and cons, and it’s important to remember that this comes along with any new changes. At the heart of it all, be sure to value what’s best for you.
