Working from Home: Is it right for you?

During the past year, many companies had to adjust to remote work, and although some companies have decided to go fully remote, many are slowly returning to the office.

Now you might have to consider if working from home is still right for you, or if it makes more sense to go back to the office.

Some of the benefits of working from home are not having to commute and saving money on clothing, fuel, lunches, etc. But as a downside, working remotely can also be lonely with little or no support. If you’re starting to wonder if working from home is right for you, here are some things to consider before committing to it.

Pros

🚗 Save Money on Commuting

Transportation can be expensive — did you know that Americans can spend up to $5,000 on transportation each year? With an average commute ranging from 5 to 13 miles each way, you need to fill up the tank often. Gas expenses can accumulate over time, and since you don’t have to commute daily when working from home, it can save you a big chunk of money.

Americans spend up to $5,000 on transportation each year.

👔👗 Save on Clothing

When working in an office, you will most likely be required to dress “business casual”, or with formal attire. Clothing items like suits, ties and dresses can be expensive, especially if you have to buy new items every couple of months. When working from home, you’ll likely not need to dress formal.

The hundreds of dollars you would be spending on work attire, could go to your savings.

🚀 Increased Productivity

Not having to commute to work not only saves you money, but also saves you time. Many workers have enjoyed working from home, because they have that extra time to complete personal tasks, exercise and/or be with their loved ones and pets.

65% of workers have felt more productive when working remotely.

Cons

👤 Lack of Social Interaction

Working remote requires you to communicate through chats and video calls, and it will never be the same as a good ol’ face-to-face conversations. Communicating effectively online can be a challenge.

Many people have reported loneliness to be the biggest struggle of working from home.

🧻 Home Office Costs

Creating a good workspace will help your productivity levels rise, however in order to do that, you will need a good set up. That means you probably have to spend more money buying an extra monitor, a desk and chair, and anything else your office usually provides (like refreshments, restroom facilities, internet connection, lighting, air conditioning, equipment insurance, etc.).

⚠️ Likely to Overwork

Working from home can increase the likelihood of overworking, since your home also becomes your office. It can be difficult to break the habit of checking your work email during off-duty hours when working remotely.

Overworking is a result of work-related stress that many face when working from home.

Do you still need help deciding if working from home is right for you? Mint’s infographic below provides more pros and cons of remote working, as well as a flowchart to help you figure out what’s best for you 👇

About the author

Ana is a content creator that has a background in PR and marketing and loves helping people. She enjoys covering business, career, and lifestyle topics, and loves to share cool infographics. When she’s not producing content, Ana enjoys watching cooking shows and going to the beach.