Working from Home – At Least 4 Good Reasons To Love It

by Barbara Roberts

Nearly a year into the pandemic, over half of the American work-force is operating from home.  The experience has been positive for employees and employers alike, and they are taking an enlightened look at the realities of working from home.  In some cases, they are re-thinking the need for all personnel to literally be in the office.  For job-seekers today, the number of home-based jobs is increasing.  For retirees, this just might be the ticket to earning a little extra cash.

If you are looking for something more to do, working from home might be a way to find purpose and bring in a little extra money, and let’s face it, some retirees might be in a wheelchair or have temporary or permanent disabilities.  Being able to work from home would be a boon for them as well.  Using the skills honed over their careers would not only provide a sense of purpose and an income stream, but also provide a reason to get up in the morning and join a community of like-minded people.

When I became a specialist with my former company, I had the opportunity to work from home.  For me, it was almost a misnomer since I also traveled for my position, and was usually only at home 2-3 days during the work week.  There were some weeks, however, where travel wasn’t warranted and I was working from home the entire week.  I loved it!

To be successful at working from home, a person needs to be a self-starter, possessing the ability to get things accomplished without someone continually asking how they are coming with an assignment.  It’s quiet at home, which was a boon for me, but some people truly need others around them.  They appreciate the camaraderie and get their energy from others.  At first, I missed that component, but soon realized that I could finish projects much quicker, and not work as many hours.  With no work environment distractions from others, I was able to focus better and for longer periods of time.  And, we had plenty of conference calls to stay connected and fill in the gaps.  Conference and video calls generally are more efficient and do not last as long as in-person meetings.

Depending on the company, and the type of work, the possibility of having better work/life balance is a plus.  Some people find, however, that they put in even more hours on the job because they can work at any time.  Another plus is the possibility of having a flexible work schedule.  This would allow you to start and end your work day on your schedule, instead of the traditional 8-5.  With a flexible schedule, you would also be able to get your exercise in when it suits you best.  The biggest plus, in today’s world, is that working from home is not a safety hazard.  The less time you spend in a crowded office environment, the better chance you have of escaping the coronavirus, and any other germs that usually get passed at work, resulting in less sick days and down time. 

In my book, there are several other advantages to working from home, many of which will also save you precious time and money.

• The fact that your commute has been reduced to a few feet means that time spent on driving, being part of a carpool, riding the bus or train, or if you’re really energetic, riding your bicycle, is now time saved.  You can either sleep in or get started even earlier.  Additionally, the gas fill-ups or what you spent on commuting will now be money saved. Think also about the food and coffee you now can prepare at home. Every little bit counts! 

• Comfort.  Every day can now be like Casual Friday.  You will be able to dress down and when not on video calls – way down.  That means to reserve pajamas and sweats for the days you do not have Zoom calls. And that means full work regalia such as suits, dresses and expensive shoes are no longer needed.  That part is great, but what is even more beneficial is that shopping for new pieces will take a backseat to other, more pressing, purchases.
• Not locale-dependent.  Working from “home” gives you the ability to work outside the traditional setting of an office, as long as you are wired and have the technology you need.  Maybe you feel inspired when sitting on your balcony and can glance up at the view.  Maybe a vacation spot is in your sights.  Or, maybe you can visit someone in another state – or even travel to another country.
• There are also very important mental/emotional factors for those who like working from home:  It is good for morale in that you are trusted to get your work done, and it eliminates stress that sometimes comes from needing to adjust to working with others.  These contribute to an improvement in your mental and physical health.

As you can see, there are several personal benefits to working remotely.  Employers are also embracing the concept more widely now as well.  There are cost-saving measures they can achieve, while benefiting from greater efficiencies.  These might include a reduction in the need for office space; hiring the best applicant, no matter where they live; improved productivity; reduced sick leave days; loyalty, and a vote of confidence from employees allowed to work from home. I am biased, but it really does work whether you own the company or whether you work there.  Consequently, it sounds like a win-win to me.  Good luck in your search!

If you have experienced other benefits, or have any tips for others, or just want to make a comment, please do so below…