Having been working remote for around 5 years now, I’ve been through the rough and smooth of it all. To help you take stock or decide if remote work is right for you, I’ve compiled my top 5 remote work pros and cons.
Benefits Of Remote Work
In my experience, these are the best things about remote working:
Work-Life Balance
Having good work-life balance can often mean more time to spend with family, getting chores done in the week and having extra time to spend on hobbies. Having more time to focus on these things has undoubtedly made me a happier person since I’ve been working remotely.
Even weekends feel more fulfilling as I’m not having to devote every other Sunday morning to cleaning/washing/tidying (insert your preferred household chore here).
Being able to work from any location too is a major plus point. 9-5 at the same desk, in the same office isn’t good for the mind nor body. A fresh perspective whenever you want it does wonders for keeping you motivated and getting the creative juices flowing.
No Commute
This one could be number one, but it’s almost a subgenre of work-life balance, a righteous support act if you will.
Not being wedged on a train, or having to get up at 6am does wonders for your state of mind. Getting an extra few hours back a day to utilize however you please is also a great added benefit.
My commute often caused me a great deal of stress with missed trains, late running trains, crammed conditions etc. Binning that from my life was a pretty easy decision that’s definitely meant I’ve become a bit more zen with the world.
Cost Savings
Those expensive daily train journeys that were burning a hole in my pocket also went out the window. We’re talking about a substantial $250/£250 a month.
Then you add in an overpriced coffee in central London and a regular trip to the food market and the costs begin to spiral a bit.
You have to calculate in the increased electric at home, a slight rise in other utilities and a few extra bits on the food shop. But If you’re like me, you’re still going to be well in the green compared to the in office day.
Flexibility
The working day before remote work was so rigid it gave me back pain! Every day followed such a rinse and repeat routine that It could have been Groundhog Day without me knowing.
Variety is the spice of live, and although going remote won’t be the same as travelling the world when it comes to variation, the differentiation you get in the day to day is great for your mental wellbeing.
A new working location, a new spot for lunch, even a new geography (if your contract allows) means the world is much more accessible than before.
Health
As well as having time to hit the gym in the morning or go for a lunchtime run. I think the aforementioned 4 reasons all put together mean that I’m ultimately a happier and healthier person working remotely.
Unlike working from home, that is a bit more rinse and repeat in the day to day, a job where you have flexibility to change up your work location and hours fits well with a lot of people’s lifestyles.
Putting your life and enjoyment back in the driving seat gives you back a sense of control – we all want to be the makers of our own destiny and remote work gives us a bit more of that sense back.
Disadvantages Of Remote Work
On the flipside here are a few common disadvantage to consider:
Distractions
In the office, distractions are fairly minimal. As everyone’s pulling in the same direction, the understanding is the environment needs to be conducive to productivity and collaboration. In a cafe for example, that’s not the case. Loud coffee machines, barking dogs, screaming kids are a few things to contend with.
The best way to deal with such distractions is to get a pair of noise cancelling headphones.
If you are easily distracted you might find that your ability to focus on your work is not as high as in the office, but this varies from person to person.
Poor Connectivity/Technology Issues
This is rarely an issue in the office, perhaps once in a blue moon. In my experience, slow or faulty internet connections occur a bit more at home, but are infrequent.
If you’re out and about though, bandwidth or slow connectivity can be a real hindrance. It’s always best to check reviews in advance if you are heading to somewhere commonly used for remote working to understand whether you’ll be able to carry out your work without interruption.
Not having an IT department in the same building can also be problematic if you are having technical issues. Larger orgs might have a comms channel for such issues, but the resolution process can be laboured.
Security Concerns
When working remotely, in public spaces, extra vigilance is needed when it comes to security, especially cybersecurity. Public WIFI networks in cafes, libraries etc are often not secure and leave you more vulnerable to cyberattacks than if you were in the office on a secure network.
As your screen is more visible, it’s not hard for someone to look over your shoulder and capture your username and password. You should also make sure you access sensitive work data (financial data, personal data) in a private space or at least with your screen not facing outward to prying eyes.
Theft can also be a big problem. Not only could you end up losing a work device, but if it’s stolen by someone looking to gain access to it, this could again open up your company to vulnerabilities.
Make sure you know your company’s policies on remote work security along with being up to date on all training material to ensure a safe as possible remote work experience.
Isolation
Working remotely can create a situation whereby you feel like you’re less connected with others than when you’re in the office. Some good ways to combat this include:
Exploring new places to work in. Being amongst others, even if you’re not talking to them can give you a better sense of belonging. Try mixing up your location a few times a month and if you strike up a conversation with someone all the better. In my opinion shared working spaces would be best for this. You’re more likely to easily find commonality just by the fact you’re all working remotely.
If you feel isolated from your team, reaching out for casual conversations over Slack or over Zoom can be a great way to build camaraderie. Especially if you’re in a business or role that doesn’t require too much video conferencing. Chances are others will be feeling the same and be grateful you reached out.
Ergonomics
Not getting the one right can be a gradual downward spiral for back and neck pain. It’s perhaps easier at home to create an ergonomic set up that’s optimal for posture and keeps your screen at eye level.
If you’re changing up locations regularly you can begin to find that hours of being in less than optimal positions can start to cause aches and pains. Working in the park for example, you’re going to struggle to sit in a way that you’re not arching your neck and back.
Lots of cafe’s a shared working spaces have uncomfortable benches and chairs that don’t encourage good posture.
I’d recommend checking in advance on Google, for example, on the table and chair situation to see if the ergonomics are suitable for a few hours of work. Don’t hesitate to take a laptop stand and portable mouse and keyboard with you to counteract any low tables.
Remote Work Pros And Cons Conclusion
I hope that helped you weigh up the pros and cons of remote work.
If you’re considering moving to a remote work position and would l like to gather a few more insights, the following resources could be useful:
- Work From Home Pros And Cons
- Tips For Working From Home
- Tips For Remote Work
- Remote Work Vs Work From Home
James Waite
Founder of Remoteopia, James has worked in remote roles for 6 years. After a stint in recruitment, he now works as a director of website strategy in tech.
