Home alone: the pros and cons of remote work

The possibility to work remotely is the greatest bonus that could be received by cube-working people and Internet technology has made it possible. Let’s have a closer look at the advantages of such work and determine the pros and cons of it.

The British Centre for Social Research forecasts that most small and middle businesses in Europe will operate in virtual offices by 2002. This means that instead of going into an office every day employees will work through Internet from outside of their office.

Most of us wish to have flexible working hours but are not aware of all pros and cons of remote work and if this mode of employment is really applicable for them.

Does working from home mean working less?

It is all the opposite! Now you will have to work harder. In an office environment the staff may not achieve the highest efficiency and pro-activity level despite they are present at work which implies they are deeply involved in the working process. But working at home or having flexible work schedule is understood as the possibility of having a rest from arbitrary, nine-to-five job.

The desire of an employee to transit from cube-working to flexible schedule is not met with pleasure because it is more difficult to control and monitor the performance of an employee! Moreover much of the work will be performed in parts.

Aside from that, the time issue arises. Any discrepancies with the agreed deadlines will bring on your superior desire to return you back into the office.

By the way, if the wish to work from home is caused by the desire to lounge away or find extra time for household activities than the remote work will not be a good choice for you.

On your own

Intellectual work personnel are those for whom remote work arrangements are the most convenient policy to perform their work activities. These are the people who are in constant need to have professional networking hence they need to show up in office from time to time. Moving from cube-working, office politicking to that of an at-home you may be at risk of being out of touch, not keeping the track of events in your company and professional sector at large.

Is it within my strength?

You need to possess a strong character to make yourself work voluntarily without being forced while home atmosphere allows you to stay in bed longer than usual and watch TV.
You will have to draw up the schedule of you work that should correspond to your daily activities. The great point is that your schedule will include your own desires and demands but still be limited in time.
Am I self-disciplined person? Will I be strong enough to motivate myself? Will I be able to work on my own without my colleagues and managers supervision? These are the questions that are necessary to pose to yourself.

Posted in: The Business

Tags: business women, home-business, Middle Business, motivate, office environment, remote work, remote working, Small Business, virtual offices, work from home, Working From Home |

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