The ups, downs of working at home

Working at home has some advantages, but not for everyone

Working at home has some real advantages, but it’s definitely not for everyone.

Before you take the big step inside, consider this:

The upside of telework

• Reduces stress, while improving morale, work satisfaction and motivation;

• Fewer interruptions allows greater focus and improved personal productivity;

• Improved job satisfaction;

• Save money on food, clothing, dry cleaning, bus, parking, fuel, highway tolls, insurance, etc. Commuting to work can cost $8,468.40 or 47 cents per kilometre per year (Canadian Automobile Association 2002 national average);

• Reduces commuting time (commuting one hour each day equates to six full work-weeks a year);

• Reduces need to relocate;

• Gives job access to those in geographically remote areas;

• Fewer daytime home break-ins;

• Recognizes growing importance of family, increase in and single parent/dual career households;

• Reduces traffic accidents;

• Meets demands for new lifestyles and flexible work environments;

• Helps balance work and family or life;

• Makes “getting to work” easy for disabled persons;

• Can improve supervisor/employee communications;

• Reduces exposure to “office politics.”

The other side

• Fewer career and promotional opportunities, reduced office influence;

• Desk potato or “fridge factor” syndrome;

• Diminished access to resources found only at workplace;

• Potential for distractions;

• Work/family or life balance may be affected if teleworker becomes a work addict;

• Reduced social interaction can lead to social and professional isolation;

• Potential for longer hours.

Source: Canadian Telework Association