It’s become increasingly common for some employees to work from a remote location such as at home or a work-sharing space. If you are sitting in your cubicle at work right now and you are daydreaming about working remotely, but aren’t sure what it entails, we have put together a list of pros and cons to help you determine whether remote working is the right path for you.

Pros

Flexibility

Remote working gives employees the freedom to work wherever and whenever they want. This generally leads to happier and more productive employees. Have you ever come across a job that you thought was perfect for you, but then found out that it’s in a different city or a location you don’t want to move to? Well, remote will allow you to have that job without having to relocate. Some employers may want you to come into the office once in a while so you won’t have to travel that much.

Increased productivity

Many remote workers say that they are more productive when working from home. There are fewer distractions because you can choose your work environment and your work is measured based on performance which increases motivation.

Fewer expenses

There are less work-related travel expenses when you are a remote worker. You can save money on travel costs such as fuel, parking, and transport expenses. And you can save money on clothes and lunch as well.

Less stress

Working from home or out of the office can reduce stress because you will be working in a comfortable environment where you have privacy which is excellent for people who feel more at ease working by themselves. You won’t have to sit through that rush hour traffic in the morning and after work or spend a long time waiting for the bus or train. All these can be contributing factors to stress in employees.

Cons

Isolation

If you’re working remotely it is difficult to develop a sense of proximity with other colleagues that work in the office. There is no opportunity for off the cuff conversation in the kitchen whilst making a cup of tea, or go out for lunch or after-work drinks with your co-workers. However, some people may find the isolation to be an advantage if they prefer to work alone.

Out of sight, out of mind

Studies have shown that remote employees can suffer from the perception that it’s harder for them to show value in the company and they usually get promoted at a slower rate than on-site employees. If one of your career goals is quick career progression then remote work is not for you.

Less Distraction

We know that earlier in the pros we listed that remote working provides less distraction as you can choose your working environment. But if you consider the long term implications, distraction in the workplace is a good thing. It provides the opportunity to take a break from work which will prevent you from burning out. Some remote workers report feeling burned out because without the distractions they can get too focused on work for long periods of time without taking a break which will lead to fatigue.

We hope some of the pros and cons we have provided here will help you evaluate and determine if remote working is the right career path for you. The decision is ultimately up to you because choosing to do remote work is an individual preference. If you’re looking for a new job in the technology industry view our current vacancies here.