The idea of going to the office every day at 7 and leaving at 5 is rapidly growing obsolete. In recent years, and especially in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, many companies have embraced remote work or at least some form of hybrid system as a viable alternative. There must be a reason why so many have decided to make such a dramatic change, despite the prevailing characterization of corporate life and firms as hierarchical, rigid structures. Indeed, the benefits of working from home are too big to ignore. Here are some of the outstanding benefits of working from home.
COMMUTE
Commuting to work can be a hassle.
- You waste time – for people who live far from their workplace, commuting may take up to an hour. In extreme cases, some people travel hours just to get to their workplace. One might say that simply moving to a place that’s near your job is a sure fix. Unfortunately, most jobs are in city centers, where rent is sky-high. Not everyone can afford that.
- You waste money – commuting is by no means free. Even though it might seem like not much on a daily basis, you’re actually spending A LOT on a per year aggregate basis.
- You’re stuck – when you don’t have the opportunity to work remotely, you are essentially chained to your city and its surroundings. Any and all travel plans would imply getting a leave of absence from your boss.
- You’re stressed – commuting is rarely an enjoyable process. Getting stuck in traffic, missing the bus, and the general feeling of having to rush to get to your job on time are all detrimental to your mental well-being.
For those who work remotely, none of these things are of concern.
They can wake up, say, 10 minutes before they’re supposed to start working and still have time to make some coffee. When you look at it from the perspective of weeks/months/years, you can end up saving hundreds of hours by simply switching to remote work.
As they don’t need to drive to their workplace every day, people who work from home save a bunch of money on gas/public transportation. And we all know just how expensive gas is these days. If you don’t believe me, have a look at this site that tracks the price of gas all around the US.
Moreover, people who work remotely can do so from virtually any place on Earth. They are not bound to any particular workplace, after all. If that sounds like something for you, check out our article on the most fascinating countries to see. Maybe you’d like to work from the top of the Great Wall of China? Or from an Aztec temple in Mexico? Or a shared office in Czech Republic!
Remote workers also don’t have to worry about being late to work (unless, of course, they sleep in!) No traffic jams, no late buses; what more could you ask for?
FAMILY
Many believe that family is the building block of society. However, the prevailing approach has been nothing but contradictory, since we often spend very little time with our loved ones thanks to work and an increasingly hectic lifestyle. This can have disastrous consequences for our relationships, family ties, and marriages.
If you work remotely, you’ll be able to see your loved ones more regularly. Even if it’s just a brief break from work, it helps you maintain a healthy relationship with your family. Be it your spouse/partner/children/parents, they can help you get through even the toughest of times.
It’s not always easy; kids, for example, can make working from home very problematic at times. But if you manage these small details, there’s much to gain.
COVID
During the pandemic, many people switched from going to their job every day to working from home. In many cases, this helped curb the growth of the pandemic and helped protect employees and the labor force. This has also made many realize that we can do a lot of things from our homes, more than we previously thought. In some industries, going to the office is viewed as obsolete, as a relic of the past.
Of course, working from home also protects you from other illnesses and all kinds of hazards. How many car accidents happen because someone was rushing to get to their job on time? We can’t stay in our homes forever – obviously – but there is no doubt that working from home is safer than working from the office.
COMFORT
“Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest.” – Robert Montgomery
For many people, home is their temple. It’s where they feel best. Working from home is, in a way, a more comfortable form of working. You can work as you lie on your bed, you can listen to music if you so wish, or you can go to the kitchen and grab a bite at any time.
This approach is great for introverts who can appreciate some good old alone time. It’s also great for people who feel stressed just thinking about going to the office.
Of course, if you work from home, it’s also important to make sure that your work life does not negatively impact your personal life. You must know how to set clear boundaries between the two. If you do, you’ll reap all the benefits. If you don’t, then, well, learn how to! You can tell yourself that you won’t work past 5 p.m, for example. Or you can use one computer for work and a different one for all your personal stuff. There are many ways to do it; being creative and listening to your body’s individual needs can lead you to find the model that suits you best.
