There’s an ongoing debate here at the Hello Doctor office between people who prefer to work from home versus those who love to be at the office. Their reasons vary from productivity to silence. One thing is clear though, not everyone feels the same way. If given the choice, which would you choose?
Like with every choice, there are good parts and bad parts. Let’s start with working from home and see if it suits you.
Working from home
| Positives | Negatives |
| No need to get ready for work – you could work in comfy casual clothes. | Accountability – No office means there’s no added pressure to perform, so it’s important to remain accountable for your actions. |
| Free to make food, coffee and take mini-breaks anytime you want. You can even take a relaxing bath if that’s how you unwind. | It’s lonely. No co-workers means it’s quiet and may make communicating with colleagues difficult. |
| Great for parents who need to look after babies and toddlers. | Home distractions. You might not have your supervisor breathing down your neck, but there’s the added temptation to watch a movie or an episode of your favourite series. |
| Hours are more flexible – You can start at 10:00 if you’d like, just as long as you fit in all the hours you’re supposed to work. | You are responsible for any internet issues that may happen – your boss won’t accept “internet issues” as a reason for incomplete work. |
| Quieter and, other than emails, you won’t have any interruptions. | Visiting friends is tempting and so is inviting friends over for lunch. |
| You may be more productive. | |
| Save money on petrol, travelling expenses and work lunches. |
Now let’s take a look at how the office environment compares. Just so you know, most of the Hello Doctor staff members chose the option to work from the office.
Working from the office
| Positives | Negatives |
| More likely to focus on work and not personal activities. | When there’s no work, it can be a massive bore. |
| An escape from home – a good way to prevent cabin fever. | Work distractions are everywhere, from the buzzing of the office to interruptions from your manager. |
| Allows you to be more connected with the people you work with. | It’s more expensive – money for petrol, commute fees and bought lunches and coffees. |
| IT support – a blessing if you have issues with your computer, internet or missing files. | No freedom to move around, so you sit for most of your day. |
| No need to keep a time sheet – though some companies still require a time sheet. | Most of the time it feels like you’re doing the same thing every day – the daily grind. |
| You can address issues immediately or face-to-face. | |
| Less likely to be the last person to learn about a new development in the company. |
Working from home is obviously less stressful, but it also opens you up to temptation. If you feel that you can work from home without being distracted, then consider speaking to your employer about it. Ask if you could participate in a trial period of a week or two weeks. If your job performance has improved, and you maintain it, then hopefully your manager will approve.
So, which one would you choose: office or home?