Covid-19 has affected the way we work. Working from home or remotely is nothing new since technology has allowed it to be more mainstream. Many companies moved to have employees work remotely to save on overhead and expand their hiring pool before the unprecedented pandemic sheltering measures were in place. Working from home can significantly benefit both the employee and the employer, but as with anything, there are advantages and disadvantages to working remotely. Here are four advantages and disadvantages to working remotely.
Higher Attendance Rates
Working from home has higher attendance rates due to the normal reasons people can’t come into work being removed. Whether it be an illness that has you feeling okay enough to work but could be contagious to others or having to take care of your kids at home, working remotely removes these as work obstacles. Due to the removal of stressful morning routines and commutes, people are happier and more ready to work. Along with that comes the disadvantages of having distractions and being pulled away from work to deal with them since you are in the home, but that can be overcome with some discipline and boundary setting.
Higher Production
Those in the workforce often produce more and higher quality when they are comfortable in their work environment, and working from home can provide that comfort. However, if you get too comfortable, you may start finding yourself losing your motivation. It is imperative that if you work from home, you have a place to do, which is separate from your household. It is also important that though you should dress comfortably, you should also steer away from pajamas or what you lounge around in when binge-watching your favorite series. Your mentality has a delicate balance between production and shut down, and you need to be mindful of it.
Tax Breaks
You can write a portion of your bills off on your taxes when you work from home. This could mean more money in your pocket at tax time. This tax cut can be especially true if you use your equipment and supplies though many companies still provide equipment and supplies to those working from home. To take advantage of these tax breaks and write-offs, you should hire a professional accountant or tax preparation expert. These professionals will ensure you get the maximum tax benefits and write-off from working at home. Even if you use company equipment and supplies, you can write off part of your mortgage or rent, utilities, and internet services.
Saving Money
There are several ways you can save money by working at home. The first and most apparent savings in gas money due to the lack of daily commute. You will also save on lunches and clothing allowances. You can also save money on your yearly budget when you can write off your household costs. While you will save money by working remotely, you have to ensure you don’t gain in other ways. You need to watch your health as being at home can make you eat more and be less active. So it would be best if you focused on discipline when it comes to your health, or you can find yourself gaining weight or getting into unhealthy habits.
More Time with Loved Ones
Not working in an office will give you much-needed time with your family and loved ones as you will interact with them when you take breaks. You will also get more time by cutting out the commute, which in some cases adds an hour or two to their workday. It is shown that time with loved ones is good for mental health and overall happiness. The only disadvantage is that you may not get some much-needed breaks from your family or loved ones we all need on occasion. So while this is an advantage, it can also be a disadvantage depending on who you cohabitate with and how they fit into your life.
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