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In-house and work from home jobs are the two most commonly used terms when referring to work setup types. During the pandemic, job seekers, HR personnel and employees encounter these terms when searching for a job, verifying qualifications, or referring an applicant. When you work In the information technology industry, where working from home is possible, you can benefit from knowing the pros and cons.

Work from home

Work from home refers to a working setup where an employee has all the hardware and software needed to perform a task. Hardware could be a laptop, desktop, keyboard, mouse and smartphone – which can be company-provided or personally owned by the employee.

Pros

• Savings – (Employee) This work setup can save you some transportation fair and food costs. A daily commute (back and forth) especially for those living far from their workplaces. Also, you can reduce your expenses on food (breakfast, lunch, dinner) when buying at a convenience store and restaurants, which are often expensive. You can save more if you cook your own meal.

• Savings – (Employer) – As an owner or a high ranking official, you can save from huge expenses such as internet, water, and electricity bills. Other than that, your likely huge savings is from rental expenses – no need to pay for an office space that can cost from hundreds to thousands of (in your local currency).

• More productivity - Less stress and more flexibility can increase productivity rates. You’re not constrained when you need a break that leads to less burnout and more motivation.

• Less stress – commuting back and forth can stress you easily. Just imagine if you’re in a hurry to catch a bus or metro and there’s a few minutes left before your work starts. At work from home, you don’t need to worry about getting late and rushing to the bathroom, and groom.

• You can do more – You can do more if you work at home. The thought of being compelled overtime brings more pressure if you work in-house. This isn’t to say that over time while working at home isn’t stressful. Remote work is a perfect way to transit from regular work hours to overtime since you don’t have to worry about going home late or not lack of transport.

• Protect against infection – The risk of getting infections such as the COVID-19 virus highlighted the need for work from home. Remote work reduces your risks of getting infections from commuting on the bus, metro, and mingling with crowds.

• Collaborate anytime and anywhere – You can work with anyone anytime and anywhere across the globe. For example, you’re in Asia, you can collaborate with someone living in Europe, Africa and America.

Cons

• Utility expenses – (Employee) – Since you you’re on your own, you’re responsible for paying utilities – internet, electricity and water. If you’re sharing living spaces with others (friends, relatives or roommates) who are also in work from home setup, your utility bills might rise.

• Risk of burnout - Some people who are used to working for long hours are at risk of burnout. Since there’s no thought of staying at the office after the regular work hours, you can likely stay for longer hours.

• More isolation - If you’re living alone, you’re likely faceless social interaction. You face or meet fewer people. You bond less with your coworkers since you don’t have a chance to engage in small talk at breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner.

• Upfront cost – Not all companies are willing or can afford to provide the hardware and software. If you work in an affluent company that can give you all the devices at no cost, then you’re lucky. The most expensive piece of hardware is the laptop and desktop. You can least are software that you can download for free. Exceptions are those that are proprietary. In addition, you’ve to subscribe to a monthly internet plan which can be bi-monthly or annual.

Tags: career, computers, cons, jobs, pros, workfromhome