4 benefits of working from home

Many businesses are having employees work remotely at least some or all of the time. In fact, 70% of businesses plan to adopt a hybrid work model in the coming year.

A lot of this is to do with the pandemic. When businesses were forced to work remotely in March 2020, they had no choice but to adapt and make it work. And now, as we head into 2022, the way we work has changed.

But what exactly are the benefits of working remotely as an employee? Sure, you get to stay at home and work in your pajamas if you want to. But are there any other advantages to be aware of?

In this article, we will break down some of the key benefits of remote work. We’ll also take a look at some of the downsides, so you can weigh up whether remote work is right for you.

By the end, you should have a pretty good idea of whether you’re cut out for remote work.

What are the benefits of working from home?

As an employee, working from home can be a great experience. It allows for more flexibility, a better work-life balance, and less time spent driving to and from the office. It’s a win-win!

Let’s take a look at these advantages of remote work — and a few others — in more detail.

1. Less time and money spent commuting

Before the pandemic, the average commute time was just under 30 minutes for a one-way trip.

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That may not sound like a lot, but when you look at it over the course of a month, you spend a surprising amount of hours in your car.

On average, commuting amounts to almost one hour every day, five hours every week, and 20 hours every month.

No one wants to spend 20 hours a month sitting in a car driving to and from work, right?

Well, working from home means you don’t have to. You can simply get up, have breakfast, and get to work.

You save money on transportations costs too. As some offices are reopening, millions of US employees will lose over $10,000 per year because of their commute. So by staying at home, your cost savings will go up.

Not to mention, it’s also better for the environment. In 2020, fossil fuel emissions dropped 7% because fewer people were commuting. So by staying at home to work, you’re also reducing your carbon footprint.

2. Better work-life balance

91% of employees want to work remotely because it gives them a better work-life balance.

Why?

Because working from home gives you a certain level of flexibility that in-office workers don’t have. You don’t have to be in a certain place at a certain time, and you’re working from your home environment.

Unlike in-office workers, this means you can better manage your work-life balance. You can spend more time focusing on your personal life without it interrupting your work.

For example, you can run personal errands throughout the day, do household chores, and spend more time with loved ones. You can do all of this during regular work breaks, so it won’t impact your daily work activity.

3. Work from wherever you want

Working remotely doesn’t mean you’re confined to your house.

If you can do your job from a laptop or a tablet, you can head to a local coffee shop, a shared workspace, or even to a friend’s house.

You also have the flexibility to travel when working remotely.

You can take a workcation, which means traveling to a new location for work. It’s half work, half vacation. And it’s been known to increase work productivity, so it’s good for the business, too.

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A new setting also helps to break bad habits that you might pick up while working at home, such as watching Netflix or getting lost on TikTok (let’s be honest, we’ve all been there).

But during a workcation, these distractions are less likely to occur.

4. Choose your schedule

Generally speaking, working remotely means you can plan your day to suit your schedule.

Of course, it depends on your role and the company you’re working for. But on the whole, you’ve got a higher chance of flexible work arrangements while you’re working from home.

For example, you could structure your workday around your most productive hours.

Some people work better first thing in the morning and aren’t as productive in the afternoon. Research shows that people who wake up earlier tend to be more productive.

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With a flexible work schedule, these people can start their day earlier and be more productive during their working hours. It’s better for the business and the employee.

Are there any challenges to working remotely?

Working from home sounds great, right? You don’t have to commute, you can wear comfy clothes, and you have much more flexibility with your schedule.

But remote work isn’t without its challenges. If you can’t deal with things like isolation and managing your own time, telecommuting may not be the right option for you.

Let’s take a look at some of the challenges so you can figure out if you’d work well in a remote environment.

1. Lack of social interaction

Without colleagues around all day, working from home can feel isolating.

You’ll be working solo a lot of the time, so you need to be comfortable doing that. But for people who thrive on social interaction, this can be challenging.

There are ways you can try to combat this feeling of isolation:

• Communicate with colleagues: Remote teams can’t stop at the water cooler and have a quick catch-up with their colleagues. Instead, they have to communicate virtually. So if you’re feeling isolated and lonely, reach out online — either by email, instant message, or video call.

• Work from another location: Leaving the house and going to work in a cafe or library can pull you out of your isolation funk.

If you feel like you need constant interaction throughout the day, remote working might not be the right choice for you. Sure, you can have video meetings and calls. But nothing replaces face-to-face interaction.

But if you’re happy to have little human interaction, working remotely could be perfect.

2. Blurring boundaries between the workday and home life

While working from home can offer a better work-life balance, it can blur the boundaries between work and home life.

Your home office space becomes exactly that — an office at home. That makes it difficult for a lot of people to switch off from the workday.

But if you don’t switch off and get some real downtime from work, you’re at higher risk of getting burned out. 20% of people who find it hard to switch off from work reported mental exhaustion.

The good news is that there are ways you can combat this issue.

For example, you can schedule your time and plan your daily activities. This will drum it into your mind when it’s time to work and when it’s time to clock off.

It’s also a good idea to keep your workspace separate from the rest of your home.

If you have a spare room or an office, make sure to do all your work from there, and nothing else. If you don’t have much space, You can always use a desk or table in a common area. That desk will be reserved for working only. When you step away from the desk, work time is over.

Just because you can keep working doesn’t mean you should.

3. Home distractions

Working remotely often means setting up shop at your own home. As a result, you’re often surrounded by the distractions of home life.

Sure, there are distractions in the office too. But working from home brings a whole new selection of distractions to the table, such as television, smartphones, family, and friends. It can be pretty hard to tune out all these distractions, especially if you’re working in a shared space.

So as a remote employee, you have to make sure you can focus on your work and avoid the distractions of being at home. If you don’t think you’re disciplined enough to block the distractions, working from home might not be the best choice.

To find out more about avoiding distractions, check out this article: How to work from home: 15 tips to make it easier.

Top 3 companies for remote work

We’ve weighed up the pros and cons of remote work, so you’ve probably got a pretty good idea as to whether you’d like to work remotely.

If you think you’d like to give it a go, here are some companies offering remote work.

1. Dell

Dell is a technology and software company that develops computers and related products. The company offers a range of remote jobs in different locations across the country. Here are a few examples:

• Claims Marketing Manager

• Account Executive

• Software Developer

Most of these roles require a bachelor’s degree and previous experience in a similar role, but they do have some entry-level positions available as well. Take a look at more remote jobs with Dell.

2. Kelly Services

Kelly Services is a staffing and recruitment company. It helps both employees and employers find the right fit.

Here are some examples of the remote jobs Kelly Services offers:

• HR Coordinator

• Customer Service Representative

• Auto Claims Adjuster

Wages start between $15 - $24 based on the role you’re applying for and your previous experience.

Take a look at remote jobs with Kelly Services.

3. SimplyInsured

SimplyInsured helps small businesses find and apply for the best healthcare plans available.

Here are some of the remote positions they have available:

• Data Entry Associate

• Customer Support Manager

• Inside Sales Representative

Entry-level positions start at $15 an hour along with a $2000 annual bonus.

Take a look at remote jobs with SimplyInsured.

We’ve also listed some more companies that offer remote jobs and other work-from-home jobs that pay well, so be sure to check these out.

Find a remote job near you

Flexible work is here to stay. 70% of employees want it, and employers are changing the way they operate to cater to hybrid work environments.

Although there are some downsides to working remotely, studies show that experience helps overcome these challenges. The more you get used to working in a home environment, the easier it gets.

If you think you’d like a remote job, start searching for what’s available today. You can join the Jobcase community and search for jobs on our website to get the ball rolling. You can even filter your search to only show remote jobs.

And while you’re searching for jobs, take a look at our remote work resource center as well. We’ve got plenty of tools and materials to help you prepare for working remotely.