Work from Home (WFH) has become increasingly popular for employees worldwide. According to an Upwork study, approximately 57% of American workers currently utilize this option at least some of the time.
Remote workers enjoy numerous advantages. Here, we’ll look at some of those advantages and how you can optimize your work-from-home experience.
1. Flexibility
One of the greatest advantages of working from home is flexibility. Being able to set your own schedule – starting earlier or taking longer breaks – can have a dramatic effect on productivity and quality of life.
Even so, too many companies provide little or no flexibility; when they do so, it often results in sidelining those seeking greater flexibility.
Leaders can foster an environment of genuine flexibility by encouraging managers to embrace it and demonstrate they’re willing to allow employees to be flexible in their own ways. This sets the tone and gives staff confidence that it’s okay for them to make choices without regard for seniority.
2. Reduced commuting costs
One of the greatest advantages of working from home is saving money. Not only can it eliminate commuter costs, but you could also find yourself saving on items like work clothing, coffee, lunches and dry cleaning costs.
This can be particularly advantageous if you have children, as it can save on daycare and childcare costs.
Remote workers can save money on car insurance by opting for pay-per-mile auto policies, which charge only a low base rate and several cents for every mile you travel.
Commute-reducing steps may also prove useful if you live in an urban area with heavy traffic congestion; less time commuting means increased happiness and health benefits as well as better work-life balance and reduced stress levels.
3. Better health
Although many might perceive working from home as detrimental to health, many employees find that it actually improves it. Working from home alleviates factors which negatively impact physical and mental wellbeing such as long commutes, congested traffic jams and lack of physical movement throughout the day – factors which could otherwise adversely impact wellbeing.
Take breaks or stretch when necessary – both will do wonders for both your body and mind! If backaches are an issue for you, opt for an ergonomic office chair that supports you properly without straining neck, shoulders or back muscles.
Working from home can also help protect you against illness, as there’s less chance of exposure to germs that could wreak havoc with your immune system – something particularly essential if pregnant or caring for young children. Working from home also offers you more exercise – something proven to keep us healthier overall as well as decrease risks such as heart disease.
4. Increased productivity
Working from home offers many productivity benefits for individuals and companies alike, such as improved individual and company performance. This could mean finishing more tasks, reports, applications or creating innovative ideas or designs for products and services more efficiently than before.
Productivity gains can lead to more engaged employees and an enhanced sense of well-being for workers, and allow businesses to scale more efficiently – ultimately leading to higher profits and pay.
Working from home can increase productivity, but to do so efficiently and productively it’s essential that employees set clear expectations and boundaries with them in order to stay focused and productive. Conducting regular check-ins and feedback sessions will allow employers to ensure employees are meeting their goals on track.
5. More time with family
Work from home offers one major benefit – more time with family. Working from home allows for uninterrupted time with young children who may still take naps during the day.
As well as making time to work or meet with team members, this time can also provide an opportunity to connect with children – be it through school trips or activities at home.
As much as it’s important to set high expectations of yourself and your family members, it’s also vital that realistic expectations be set so as to prevent burnout and create more balance in life.
6. Better work-life balance
Are You Working From Home Remotely and Seeking Ways to Achieve Work-Life Balance? As an at-home remote worker, finding ways to achieve work-life equilibrium may be essential to both mental and physical wellness.
One effective strategy to maintain work-life equilibrium is setting boundaries between your professional and personal lives, helping you separate them and reduce stress while preventing burnout.
To do this, set a schedule that starts and ends at the same time – for instance, schedule when to shut down and step away from your laptop computer.
At home, having a designated workspace can be extremely helpful. By having this designated area set aside for work purposes only, it allows you to focus on your tasks without interruption from roommates, pets and household activities. Furthermore, this shows others that your working in an appropriate and productive space and they should respect your boundaries and not disturb or distract you.
7. Reduced stress
Work from home jobs offer numerous advantages, one being their reduced stress levels compared to traditional office work environments. Unfortunately, working from home also presents new distractions and pressures you might not anticipate beforehand.
Establishing clear boundaries between work and home life, and limiting interruptions from family and friends that relate to work will help lower stress levels while enabling you to remain focused on your task at hand.
Take time out from work when necessary – particularly if dealing with personal issues – for relaxation and rejuvenation, whether that means visiting the spa, going shopping, or even just watching television for an hour or two! Simply taking time away can improve both mental health and energy levels.
8. More opportunities for diversity and inclusion
As remote work has increasingly blurred geographic borders, tech companies now have an unprecedented chance to foster diversity as a driver of innovation.
An inclusive team is key for unlocking its creative potential, so by encouraging diversity within their ranks and cultivating an inclusive culture employees feel valued and are inspired to do their best work.
But true inclusion takes sustained efforts; compassionate leaders who understand the needs of diverse groups and respond in ways that promote inclusion are key in this regard.
Employers who adopt a remote-first mindset and adapt their leadership approach can provide Black knowledge workers with an environment where they can thrive and prosper.
9. Greater control over your schedule
Homeworking offers many advantages, one being greater control over your schedule. For example, you could set an arrangement whereby when things get busy you work longer hours on one day before cutting back the following one when there is more free time available to you.
It gives you greater flexibility when it comes to fulfilling daily responsibilities such as picking up the children from school or scheduling dental appointments, while helping maintain a healthy work-life balance and prevent burnout.
Saving money through alternative forms of transportation means not commuting, such as gas and parking costs as well as monthly metrocard costs which quickly add up.
10. Better work-life balance
Scholars of work-life balance have observed that remote work enhances an employee’s ability to juggle both professional and personal obligations, such as taking care of children, cooking meals or cleaning houses – without neglecting anything personal (Gajendran & Harrison 2007; Hyland Rowsome and Rowsome 2005).
Employees who work from home tend to experience an improved work-life balance than those who commute, possibly due to more freedom, lower commuting costs and improved health.
