Veni, vidi, vici – “I came; I saw; I conquered” is supposedly what Julius Caesar had said about one of his victories. Interestingly, COVID-19 could have said the same about itself when it “conquered” the planet – Earth.
COVID may have come out of nowhere, but it has left some long lasting changes in our everyday lives. Among them, working from home. The transition may have been abrupt, but it has not been smooth. While some have wholeheartedly embraced the new lifestyle, others loath it.
Whether you like it or not, working remotely or working from home is here to stay, maybe permanently. So, it is high time we discuss its pros and cons.
What Is Remote Working?
Remote working is a style of work which lets people work from outside of a traditional office space. The idea behind this concept is that you do not need to be at a specific place to work successfully.
Pros and Cons of Remote Working
Following are some pros and cons of remote working:
Pros:
Better Work-Life Balance
One of the biggest benefits of working remotely is that you have a balanced life. You do not have to bump into traffic every day or spend time with colleagues whom you do not get along with.
Remote work gives you the opportunity to spend time with your family while working. It also gives you enough time to rest which eventually leads to better mood and higher productivity.
More Savings
Another key advantage of working from home is that you save a lot of money. All the money that you spend on fuel, pick and drop service, parking tickets, vehicle maintenance, eating at restaurants, etc. would definitely be saved.
Along with this, you also play a positive role towards a sustainable environment. Since you do not take any vehicle to go to work, it reduces your carbon footprint. It saves the environment and fuel for the future.
More Productivity
Contrary to popular belief, working from home boosts your productivity. Since you do not have to commute to your office, you not only save time but energy as well.
The energy that you save can then be utilized which makes you more productive.
More Family Time
Another benefit of working from home is that you get to spend more time with your family. You get to take small breaks in between which not only energizes you but also makes it easy for you to work.
Healthier Lifestyle
A proper office setting requires you to sit in front of your desk all day long which has several cons. One of the major cons is that there is no physical activity. Some people also complain that they do not get proper meals which leads to multiple deficiencies in their body.
When you are working from home, you get the chance to move around the house or have some sort of physical activity. Along with this, you can have proper meals which help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
You can also take a short break and go for a walk or jog to make yourself feel energized and fresh.
Flexible Schedule
Another huge benefit of working from home is that you can enjoy a flexible schedule. You can handle almost everything that comes your way. It could be anything from a scheduled meeting to an emergency dentist appointment to picking your kid up from school.
Having said this, not everything about remote working is great.
Cons:
Following are some cons of remote working:
No Face to Face Interaction
There is no face to face interaction when you are working remotely which may be troublesome for newcomers. Working remotely reduces guidance and makes it difficult for people to coordinate with each other.
Since you do not meet your colleagues, you are unable to build a rapport with them which can sometimes lead to multiple challenges.
Less Learning
When you are working from home, your access to information is limited. You do not meet people which hinders your growth.
When you are working in a proper office environment, intentionally or unintentionally you get to learn a lot. You also get various chances to experience things out of your field which benefits you in more than one way.
Feeling of Isolation
Going to the office every day adds a routine to people’s lives. Not only this, but in an office set up, you meet new people and chit chat with them which makes you feel fresh.
On the other hand, when you are working from home, you sit in front of your laptop which could be isolating or lonely. Some people who are working from home, also prefer to work from some café or from a friend’s place to experience less loneliness.
Difficult to Stay Motivated
Remote working jobs may have several benefits but one of its major challenges is that it is extremely difficult to stay motivated.
When you are working from home, there are high chances that you may develop a laid back attitude or become a procrastinator. Once that starts happening, it becomes difficult to bring yourself back on track.
No Office Perks
When you are working on-site there are multiple perks that you can enjoy. For example, you get to use the office gym, go on company trips, enjoy company lunches, etc. People who work from home miss out on these perks.
Final Verdict
There is no final word when it comes to working from home or working from the office. Both have their own pros and cons, so you have to weigh both of them and figure out which option suits you best.
There are various online as well on-site jobs posted on OLX Pakistan’s website. Do have a look and see if you find something that suits your preferences.
That is about it! We hope our guide will help you make a decision.
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