How Working From Home Can Be More Productive Than Working In An Office
The last couple of years has meant more of us are getting used to working from home – some of us full time, and others in a hybrid way when necessary. Working remotely is something that a lot of people have strong opinions for and against, but whether you’re more of an office person, or you prefer working in your own space, there are advantages to each.
Some of us find we work more efficiently from home for several reasons, we’ll take a closer look at the pros and cons below. But if you’re heading back into the office to increase productivity, office furniture Essex has everything you might need to get your workspace into shape.
No commute
Working from home has become more popular over the last couple of years, and for some of us, it has become a permanent part of our professional lives. When you’re working from home, you no longer need to take time commuting. You can simply log onto your computer when you start in the morning and begin your day. This allows for increased productivity, as employees are a lot less likely to be late if they’re working from home, they can’t get stuck in traffic or on public transport, and it also allows for a calmer, collected start to the day – this can help with focus, as well as efficiency.
Flexibility
Another factor that allows employees to be more productive working from home is the flexibility that comes with it. Usually, if an employee is working from the office and they have something personal scheduled, they have to take a day off work. When employees have the opportunity to work from home, they can carry out tasks whilst they work. For example, if a child is ill, a lot of the time the parent would take a day off work to be at home with them. Introducing flexible working means that employees can work and be at home with their sick child at the same time – rather than taking a whole working day off. This results in improved productivity in the workplace and allows for more work to be done.
Your own space
Working from home means that you can create a space where you work best. You can work from wherever you feel most comfortable, you can add your favourite things like plants and ornaments, and work comfortably in the way that you are most productive. In comparison, the office can often be full of distractions, whether that’s co-workers looking for conversation, harsh lighting, or uncomfortable furniture – these can all have a negative impact on the way we work.
One of the most noticeable benefits that come with working from home is being able to shut off from others when necessary and get your work done in the peace and quiet of your own home environment. Although it could be argued that there are more distractions at home with family and pets, placing your desk in a room where you can be separate from the rest of the house is great when it comes to increasing productivity.
We’ve looked at the ways that working from home can be more productive than working in an office, but what are the disadvantages to consider? Read on to find out some of the issues that you might find with home working.
Harder to switch off
When working from home, it can be more difficult to switch off than if you were working from an office. Working remotely means that you have access to your work at all hours, and it can be harder to separate yourself from your screen at the end of your working day. When you commute into an office, you leave your work behind. Although having access to your work at home means improved productivity during the day, too much work can cause burnout, which can have a negative effect on both your health and your ability to be productive.
Isolation
Another disadvantage that you might find impacts productivity is a feeling of isolation that you may suffer from time to time if you’ve been used to working in the office. When working from home, there should be tools in place so that you can communicate with your team quickly and easily when you need to.
Working from the office
To compare the levels of productivity that come with working from home, we must look at ways that working in the office can help us to be productive too. There is a reason why workplaces and office spaces are available, and that is so you can work efficiently and effectively.
Working from the office means better time management. While a lot of us benefit from working from home and can get more done, working in the office means that we don’t have distractions of home life to take our attention away from the task at hand. It also means that workers can forget their day when they leave the office, unlike when you’re working from home, and you have access to work at all times.
Another advantage that comes with working in the office is the ability to learn new things each day. Working from home means that you don’t get to communicate in person with your colleagues, which can sometimes mean that you’re not able to learn new skills that can help with overall productivity. Although when working from home, a collaboration platform should be in place to help you communicate with others, some find it easier to communicate and learn face to face.
Finally…
With more workplaces offering work from home options – hybrid and fully remote, it is up to you to decide where you are most productive. Whether you work better in your own, comfortable space, and benefit from the time saved by not having to commute each day, or you’re more productive in a workplace environment, where you can separate your work and home life, and discuss important issues with your co-workers.
