Who would have thought two years ago that our homes would soon become our new office spaces? With many companies resorting to remote working we have seen the advantages and disadvantages it can have. For businesses sticking with the remote work route, we have to keep in mind that while we can see the benefits, remote work isn’t for everyone, and it’s not suitable for every profession.
Pros
Save on commute time and costs
Gone are the days of long commutes. By working from home, employees can save on money and time that they would have spent on transportation, all while keeping full pay and benefits.
Customize work set up
Employees have the freedom to customize their workspace in whatever ways they want. They are no longer limited to the setup already put in place by their employers. This can create a more comfortable workspace and possibly a more productive employee.
Greater talent pool
Working remotely removes geographical locations and allows employers to be open to a great talent pool. If an employee can work from home, there is no longer a need to live close to your workplace.
Healthier lifestyle
Many employees find working from home allows them to live healthier. Without the hustle and bustle of getting ready and commuting to work, there is more time to cook better meals and get in some physical activity throughout the day.
Increase in company work hours
With a lack of commuting time, companies can extend their work hours. Without the geographic limitations, employees in different time zones can work when other employees are on their downtime.
Cons
Isolation
Working from home can be very isolating, especially for single households. Employees might find themselves feeling confined to their homes. For some, work is a way to get out of the house and connect with other people. Not only is it isolating, but there is no longer a clear divide between their workplace and their home.
Management challenges
As seen through the many advantages, remote work can be fun and great for some. However, we often forget the new responsibilities employees have to take on. Wifi, workstation supplies, and tech equipment, along with many other things, are now required to be managed on your own. When working remotely, the employee has to ensure they have everything they need to stay productive.
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Rise in electricity bills
With more time spent at home, utilities such as heating and electricity are being used more often. Other costs such as the internet can go up if employees feel they need to upgrade to accommodate for the extra time they are using it for work.
Poor team morale / less networking opportunities
Without face-to-face interaction, employees, especially new hires, might find it difficult to connect with colleagues. Without a communal space to congregate in, it can also be challenging to network with other professionals. For many, networking and making these connections is a significant part of moving up in their careers.
Less productivity
For some being at home can be very distracting with family life. The home is seen as a place of relaxation. Employees might find it difficult to separate their home from a place of peace to a place of work. Not having colleagues around who can act as motivators working from home can cause laid-back attitudes and habits to form driving obstacles in meeting work goals.
Who We Are
Live Assets is a boutique IT Staffing/Recruiting firm specializing exclusively in building IT teams of excellence for the Information Technology sector.
We are a small, but productive team that works closely together and has had a 96% success rate for the past number of years!
We have a diverse number of clients and industries and focus on both full-time and contract I.T. opportunities.
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