Productivity

Just like many people learn differently, they work differently too. Working from home can prove to be more productive as there is no commuting to and from the workplace – allowing more time dedicated to work, no distracting employees and merely just being in the comfort of your own home.

These however, can be the very reasons one might find it a difficult environment to work in. Everyone’s living situations differ so what might be a quiet space for some, could be a full house to others – especially during school holidays. So the opportunity to get out of the house and into a work environment could prove beneficial. Having said that, it also gives you the ability to bounce ideas off co-workers and collaborate, which not only boosts morale but can improve the results of the work being completed.

Pros:

• No commuting, allowing more time dedicated to work
• No distracting employees
• Being in the comfort of your own home

Cons:

• Less access to a quiet space
• Bouncing off ideas off co-workers could be challenging
• No morale-boosting environment

Ergonomics

Ergonomics are implemented in every workplace to ensure the health and safety of its workers. This is not only limited to ergonomically friendly furniture such as chairs and desks but taking regular breaks throughout the day. This doesn’t mean your home has to be any different. Although it may be an added cost, having to purchase these products means you can customise your office space with items that work for you.

Pros:

• Customise your office space
• More work flexibility
• Reduction in work absence

Cons:

• Limited to ergonomically friendly furniture
• Less likely to eat lunch just like in the office
• Being tempted to turning your couch into a workstation

Mental health

Mental health plays a major role regardless of whether you’re in a workplace or working from home.

Stress and anxiety can go either way. A noisy household is a very hard place to concentrate so in turn, puts a lot of pressure to meet deadlines. Accompanied by a lack of interaction with not only coworkers but even the friendly face at the local café, can be a lonely place. Being able to ‘switch off’ once you leave the office, enables you to take a mental break from work with a change of scenery.

On the other hand, having some distance from a stressful environment or disruptive co-workers, can enable you to focus and submit a higher quality of work.

Pros:

• Some distance from a stressful environment
• Some distance from disruptive coworkers
• Save on expenses

Cons:

• Noisy household, can make it hard to concentrate
• Lack of interaction with coworkers, can make you feel lonely
• Challenging to ‘switch off’ once you leave the office

Manage the pros and cons as best as you can

There are many pros and cons to working from home vs the office and what works for some, might not work for others. 

During these times, we don’t often have a lot of say in where we can work or if at all, so the most important thing to remember is to be aware of the positives and the negatives that come with working from home or the office and manage them as best you can.