Working from Home vs. The Office – how Do They Compare

Working from home is a dream come true for many, due to the flexibility and freedom it offers. But you’ll be challenged by household distractions and a lack of professional support systems. The office environment is certainly more structured, co-workers provide needed support, and you can count on a consistent work routine – however, you’ll be spending time commuting to work and you don’t have much flexibility in terms of your schedule.

As you weigh your options, consider which aspects of each might be best for your needs, and assess the viability of working part-time in both environments. To help you decide whether to work from home or in an office environment, here’s how the two options compare:

Commuting

Did you know that the average American spends a minimum of 27 minutes commuting to work every day? That’s a lot of time you can save by working remotely. However, some people just enjoy waking up early, getting ready for work, and stepping out of their homes.

Communication

Many employees still prefer face-to-face communication, and that’s something you’ll only get in an office space. Not only does it make business planning easier but it also strengthens your rapport and relationships with other employees. Of course, you can still communicate with your team if you are working from home, but that will happen through emails and Slack messages, which are a lot less personal in comparison to face-to-face meetings.

Flexibility

When working from your office, you will likely have a schedule to stick to. While this works for many people, some find it a hindrance. When working from home, you have the freedom to wake up when you want and tailor the rest of your day the way you want. That means you could choose to step out for brunch at 11 and then continue work or shut your laptop at 3 pm, provided you’re done with all the tasks you needed to complete.

Productivity

At the office, you are likely to be interrupted quite frequently. This can have a big impact on productivity. In comparison, when you are at home, you don’t really have co-workers stopping by for a chat, so you can really focus on work.