Work from home: Benefits, side effects, challenges and research

Even before the epidemic, certain desk occupations were provided the option of working from home. Working from home is already an option in certain firms before 2020 in order to attract more employees with ease and the promise of a more well-balanced work and life.

Working from home allows workers to accomplish their jobs flexibly in the comfort of their own homes, which many organizations recognized when health lockdowns were required. However, after three years of working from home since the epidemic, this job situation is far from idyllic. Working from home offers both economic, mental, and physical advantages and cons.

8 Advantages of Working From Home

 

Let’s start with the excellent part. Working from home helped millions of businesses throughout the world amid the 21st century’s largest global health danger.

Aside from critical personnel such as doctors, security guards, food store employees, and police officers, no one was permitted to walk outdoors to prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially to non-essential employment. The solution is… a global work-from-home job condition for positions that can be performed at home; and, despite the fact that it was three years ago, the recollection is still vivid in our minds.

With years of global experience working from home, experts have identified the eight primary benefits of working from home.

1. Increased Productivity

 

Initially, productivity is one of many employers’ main worries while performing work from home; yet, several research imply the opposite. Despite major challenges in their professional and emotional lives, remote employees are regarded more productive.

According to an Airtasker poll, remote employees are excellent at controlling their time and utilizing it for more job duties because the daily travel to the office and informal chitchats with coworkers have been gone from their daily work routine. There are no interruptions from office events, such as a little birthday celebration for a coworker or a celebratory party for promoted coworkers. Another problem is that some employees may not be accustomed to setting work boundaries and may continue to work after hours.

Although office distractions have been eliminated during work from home, there are still home distractions, which may be as easy as caressing your dog, caring for your screaming infant, or washing dishes in the sink. The easiest strategy to cope with home distractions is to set up a clean and tidy location at home where you may work remotely in solitude [1].

2. More opportunities for inclusiveness

 

As the world becomes more digital, persons with impairments may be able to work from home in remote professions. It also allows elderly persons and pregnant women to work effortlessly throughout their vital months. Access to work in foreign nations while remaining in their own country is also available, providing people of all races and nationalities with greater career prospects.

Working remotely allows many people to be their real selves in the comfort of their own home, as opposed to the office environment, which has expectations and physical restrictions.

Although hiring individuals with disabilities for work-from-home arrangements might provide firms with a sense of workplace variety, conferences, seminars, and training on inclusion should still be provided so that they feel really accepted by peers.

3. Environmentally friendly

 

Harmful greenhouse gases have been a huge concern in our environment for many years, not only for the environment but also for humans exposed to them, as they can have substantial health consequences such as respiratory ailments. As the leading cause of air pollution, damaging greenhouse gases may disrupt the food supply, cause severe weather, and exacerbate wildfires.

Another important issue that the work-from-home arrangement may help with. Driving to work or commuting in general might contribute to the rising quantity of greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, if the bulk of the population stays at home and works, greenhouse gas emissions may be minimized. Indeed, one study estimates that working from home can cut greenhouse gas emissions from automobile trips by more than 51 metric tons per year [2].

4. Enhanced job satisfaction

 

Employees who work remotely were found to be 8 percent more happy with their jobs than those who work on-site. Meanwhile, the difference in satisfaction between work-from-home and split employees was only 0.7 percent. Furthermore, when compared to office employees and split workers, persons who work from home are found to be more satisfied with their career possibilities and remuneration.

5. Improved work-life balance

 

The term “work-life balance” was coined in 1980 and has subsequently gained popularity. It simply means that you must balance your time spent at work with your time spent on everything else, including family, friends, and interests. Work-life balance encourages the right allocation of time for professional and personal duties.

People who work from home appreciate working remotely because it allows them to have a better work-life balance. The reason for this is because they may plan their workday to be as productive as possible while working. They do their jobs effectively throughout the day, according to their most productive period, and create time for hobbies outside of work.

6. Less likely to experience significant turnover

 

Companies and organizations that provide work-from-home opportunities have lower turnover. According to one research, when their firm no longer offers work from home, employees are more inclined to look for new chances elsewhere. The greater emphasis on work-life balance is the cause of the high turnover after requiring workers to start working at the office [3].

7. Stipend for remote work

 

Working from home is a smart financial decision. Employees can save money on petrol and earn a one-time stipend or pay for working from home. In 2021, around 40% of businesses will provide a one-time payment to their workers for work-from-home expenditures. Furthermore, working from home might benefit companies as well. They may save money on office expenditures including office rent, internet, power, and water bills, as well as other utilities.

8. Provide work possibilities in economically deprived areas

 

People living in rural or economically difficult areas can compete with city workers because location is not a constraint in remote labor. It allows workers in provinces or distant places to have equal chances based on their talents and experience without having to relocate. However, steady internet and functional equipment are required, although there are firms that provide this type of help to its employees.

For the majority of employees, relocating or migrating for work is a huge decision that either keeps them in jobs for which they are overqualified or, in the worst-case scenario, keeps them unemployed. Long-term unemployment has a negative influence on one’s mental health.

Rural communities, in particular, have a high percentage of sadness and anxiety, particularly among elderly persons whose lives have frequently been severely impacted by the community’s economic downfall. Work-from-home jobs provide great potential to reduce rural unemployment.

The disadvantages of working from home

 

While working from home has several advantages in all parts of life, it also has major consequences for mental, physical, and ocular health in the long term.

1. Remote employees’ feelings of isolation

 

Have you ever received excellent news about a coworker and had no one to share it with who was fully aware of the circumstances? Because it is what the majority of remote employees go through. They can share it with their family, but what’s the point if they don’t know your coworkers?

Working from home might have a beneficial influence at first, but it can be damaging to employees’ mental health over time. Humans are social beings, and whether you are an introvert or not, you will need to chat to someone on occasion. Keeping your gaze fixed on your screen and working nonstop for eight hours with no face-to-face interaction might have a negative impact on your mental health.

Work-from-home employment may often be stressful. According to one recent research, a lack of personal contact among employees impairs the development of trust, connection, and common purpose, which are the three main factors in any good working relationship. People who work from home were also shown to be more likely to suffer with office politics, believing that their coworkers were gossiping about them and campaigning against them.

2. It is difficult to foster passion at work.

 

Employee motivation is what keeps them working hard; nevertheless, working from home diminishes this important business factor. Being enthusiastic about one’s job can help one complete more chores and meet more goals.

Lack of privacy or personal space, feelings of isolation, and trouble interacting with coworkers are all potential causes of work motivation loss. Working in your personal area is not for everyone. When working from home, some people may feel as though they no longer have their own area where they may rest and relax. Building camaraderie is also tough to do remotely.

3. Increased tiredness

 

According to a research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, because of the substantial rise in video conferencing during the pandemic, those working remotely have experienced higher weariness and stress.

The necessity to remain online to perform work-related tasks and varied recurrent video or audio meetings left those working from home weary and exhausted, which allegedly may have a significant toll on mental health worldwide.

In a normal workspace, there is a form of community that gives genuine support and ambiance that boosts the level of energy and motivation of the people at work. In a WFH arrangement, community support is lacking, resulting in lethargy owing to restricted choices for recovering and re-aligning concentration.

4. Dissolved distinctions between personal and professional space

 

Although working from home can help some individuals separate work and life, others are unable to keep up with the demands of their profession, forcing them to work even after working hours.

Working from home has blurred the line between personal and business life. Working on-site allows employees to unwind after work by driving or commuting with some music on, talking with coworkers and wandering about for tourism. Employees who work from home are limited to online video calls and messaging.

5. Excessive eating

 

Aside from spending the majority of their time in sweatpants and track pants, persons who work from home may acquire bad dietary habits that negatively impact their overall health. When working in the office, eating may be confined in the workstation area, which is opposed to working from home, when every snack and meal is simply an arm’s length away.

It also explains why, during the epidemic, millions of people gain weight. Unhealthy behaviors are worrying because they may develop to obesity and overweight, which are the underlying causes of many deadly diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.

6. Musculoskeletal discomfort

 

Musculoskeletal discomfort can be caused by an improperly set up workstation, an unsupportive chair, or just sitting for lengthy periods of time. It’s a prevalent issue for remote employees because they don’t take brief breaks and prefer to work longer hours.

To alleviate musculoskeletal pain, position your computer monitor at an arm’s length away and your knees and hips at a 90-degree angle. It can also help you avoid sitting on the sofa or in bed for lengthy periods of time.

Many health professionals recommend getting up and moving around or changing postures every hour of the workday. For instance, consider alternating between sitting at the dining room table and standing at the kitchen counter, which may act as a standing workstation. Despite shifting postures, do not ignore the discomfort. If the discomfort persists after using an ointment or pain medicine, you should see your doctor right once.

7. Suffer from eye strain

 

Long periods of computer use can have an effect on your eye health, leading you to have blurry vision or even acquire a minor headache. Eye strain is a typical complaint among people who work with computers or other devices, particularly remote workers.

According to health experts, people who work from home frequently experience eye strain as a result of their prolonged gaze on screens. When you gaze up close, your eye muscles tighten, and when you look away, they relax. Work-from-home employees typically suffer from eye strain because everything is done digitally.

Taking visual breaks is essential for counteracting this work-from-home adverse effect. In addition, set the tilt of your computer screen to 15 to 20 degrees below horizontal eye level.

8. Restriction on creativity and innovation

 

Working from home has a negative impact on one’s feeling of purpose, which is in contrast to working in an office where there are strong and cohesive ties. Furthermore, watching other individuals working on projects might inspire other employees to work as well, resulting in a community of creativity and invention.

Workplace synergy is crucial, and it may be fostered via face-to-face engagement with like-minded coworkers. The capacity of a community of employees to innovate can be hampered in the absence of synergy [4].

In reality, the number of company executives who believe they are continually innovating with their goods and services has dropped by about 20% by 2020. Employees who are not physically separated from one another, for example, are unable to brainstorm creatively.

Working from home has its drawbacks.

 

With the reshaped work arrangement in the twenty-first century to adapt to current demands, the global workforce is projected to face a variety of issues. Among these difficulties are the following:

1. There are too many personal distractions.

 

Because home is where people learn everything about you, working from home exposes you to unexpected chores or activities in your most vulnerable environment. Babies, dogs, household chores, napping, and so on are just some of the distractions that work-from-home professionals face on a daily basis.

Is it your family or your boss who is more essential in your life? Of course, it is your family, and while you may always find another career, your family is priceless. Employees are far more distracted when working from home since they must prioritize family problems over some jobs.

Some other diversions of remote employees might be playing video games, listening to some music and online shopping – these are achievable as there is no one to oversee them face-to-face. Who could possibly know?

2. Difficulties with communication and teamwork

 

While there are several ways to communicate with work-from-home employees and ensure regular cooperation, many employees who work remotely may find that they miss the human factor.

It has been discovered that comprehending people’s emotions, overall mood, or energy is difficult when utilizing merely the internet. When meeting new individuals, some people may struggle to understand diverse personalities, making it tough to break the ice.

3. Technical difficulties

 

Employees that work from the office typically do not have to worry about the technical aspects of their jobs, which include a computer, an internet connection, software, and other work-related equipment. Typically, everything is controlled by the company’s IT department.

When working from home, though, it is the opposite way around. Remote personnel frequently face technical difficulties, which can result in many delays, disruptions, and, worse, security breaches. Employees who are not tech-savvy may struggle more than others.

4. Working too long hours

 

Many supervisors are concerned about remote work because they worry employees would become lax without actual, in-person oversight and insight. However, the fact is that work-from-home employees are more inclined to overwork. It might be difficult to turn off when your personal and professional lives coexist.

To overcome this obstacle, you must draw a clear border between business and personal matters. It is recommended to maintain your personal life apart from your profession; in this manner, you can simply disconnect when your work hours end.

Research about working from home

 

Working from home has changed traditional workplaces, and several research studies have been done to determine its various characteristics.

Productivity

 

The first item on the list is productivity. According to one study done by a Stanford University researcher, remote employees are 13% more efficient than their coworkers in the office. Employees were also shown to have the same or even better production levels while working from home versus on-site [5].

Furthermore, in several other research, people who work from home rated their productivity as greater. For example, according to the findings of a Canada Life poll, remote employees scored productivity at 7.7 out of 10, which is better than office workers, who valued productivity at just 6.5 out of 10.

Employees who work from home tend to work longer hours. In fact, according to an Ergotron research, 40% of employees spend more hours at home than they do in the office. Furthermore, data from the National Bureau of Economic Research suggests that these prolonged workdays are 48.5 minutes longer on average. For full-time employees, the extra time might amount to more than 193 more working hours each year [6].

Job fulfillment

 

According to a 2019 survey, 22% of full-time work-from-home employees reported being happier in their careers than those who had not experienced remote work [7]. Some advantages of working remotely include improved autonomy and a flexible schedule, which lead to higher job satisfaction. The aforementioned remote-work incentives match the demands of the job while also allowing employees to enjoy their personal lives.

Another study discovered that the ability to work from home is substantially connected with job satisfaction. Tracking Happiness performed the study, in which the researchers surveyed 12,455 employees on their working conditions. According to the findings, 65.1 percent of respondents were male and 34.5 percent were female. Meanwhile, responders came from all over the world, with 38.6 percent from North America, 36.1 percent from Asia, 19.5 percent from South America, and 5.1 percent from Europe [8].

Work-life integration

 

According to a 2019 research, working remotely can significantly improve work-life balance. Around 81 percent of respondents stated that the opportunity to work remotely would greatly improve their capacity to handle work-life conflict. Working from home has been demonstrated to improve sleep, lower stress, and provide more time for good behaviors, particularly exercise [9].

Furthermore, workers who work remotely have a better work-life balance. Approximately 75% of Egotron survey respondents reported that working from home had helped their work-life balance. To back up this allegation, statistics from the Future Forum backs it up. Remote employees have twice as much work-life balance as full-time office workers, according to the organization [10].

Working from home involves both mental health and work. Overwork may create and worsen a variety of mental health conditions, but it can also function as a support system. Flexible work alternatives, in particular, may help individuals’ mental health in both their personal and professional lives.

Furthermore, job flexibility, such as the ability to work remotely, work flexible hours, and have decreased schedules, can benefit employees’ overall well-being. Around 97 percent of employees believe that having more flexible jobs would have a significant and positive influence on their quality of life.

Stress reduction

 

Nitro researchers discovered patterns indicating lower workplace stress among employees who work from home in a 2020 study. In that poll, around 29 percent of remote respondents reported being moderately anxious at work, a decrease from 33 percent in 2019 when office work was the norm. According to the report, the number of employees who felt severely anxious while working has also decreased. When work migrated from in-person to at-home, the proportion declined from 17 percent in 2019 to 15 percent in 2020 [11].

Furthermore, even if an individual enjoys their daily work activities, the overall procedure they go through merely to get to and from work on time every day might have a negative impact on their mental health.

In the United States, the average commute duration is over 27 minutes each way. According to a poll, people interested in flexible employment choices had even lengthier commutes. Around 73 percent of commuters reported their round-trip commutes took an hour or more, and 71 percent indicated they would like to work from home to alleviate commute-related stress [12].

Bottom line: Working from home offers advantages and disadvantages for both businesses and people. While employees’ mental health suffers when they work from home full-time, they can also reap the benefits of a better work-life balance and a wider range of career alternatives. Employers are more concerned about high turnover, low productivity, and poor team cohesiveness.

With these many concerns, obstacles, or even benefits of working from home for both sides, firms have found that a hybrid work configuration where workers may conduct remote duties and on-site work several days a week is the best solution.