With the advancements of technology, practices like telecommuting are becoming more and more common in the business world. If a person opts to telecommute to work, this means that they work from home, utilizing the internet, telephone, and email communications. The amount of jobs that can be done fully from home are increasing every day, but is working at home as effective as a day at the office? Let’s explore.
The Advantages Telecommuting
1. Saves Gas
Working from home eliminates a lot of additional costs that a person would encounter going into the office. One of the big ones is gas, you would not have to drive everyday and would use nearly no gas for your job.
2. More Flexible Schedule
The time and schedule constraints that normally come with a workday can be effectively limited with working from home. Parents would be able to be more active in their kid’s lives and school functions. They would also be able to take on other responsibilities that a normal 9 to 5 job would not allow.
3. Better For The Environment
The more people that telecommute for their job, the less people there are driving on the roads every day. This in turn, means less pollution into the air, making it extremely beneficial for the environment.
4. Cuts Equipment Costs
If employees are working from home, they are likely using their own computers and telephones as well. This could greatly cut down supply and equipment costs in businesses.
5. Keep Valuable Employees
Many employees who hold great value to a company, are lost for avoidable reasons. Some of these include relocating and struggling to keep up with family, work, and other obligations that they may have. Telecommuting can solve many of these problems for people.
6. Less Distractions
In a busy office, there are many things that can interfere with your productivity. Coworker issues, conversations, and other activities can distract you from you job. Working from home allows you to control your work space.
7. More Family Time
Without having to commute back home in the evening, you are able to spend early dinners and more interactions time with your family. This goes with the morning as well. You are also able to see and spend small amounts of time with your family during the day and be there for any emergency that may happen.
The Disadvantages of Telecommuting
1. Feeling Of Disconnection
People that regularly telecommute may feel very detached from their coworkers and superiors. This can cause feelings of being forgotten or less important to the company.
2. Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Working from home means much less face time with your boss and managers. This could result in being passed up for important projects or promotions that may come up.
3. Work Costs
The internet, a computer, and a work space are generally necessary to work from home. Telecommuters must incur these costs themselves, including paying for their internet services. Some percentage may be reimbursed but not all of it.
4. Time Management Difficulties
It is up to you and only you to get your work done in the time that you need to when working from home. This can prove to be a very difficult obstacle to overcome for many people.
5. Social Disadvantages
When you are working from home, or telecommuting, you do not have the same social interactions with your coworkers as someone who works in the office. You may often be left out of functions, gatherings and other social events that are held.
Important Facts About Telecommuting
