Many people who work from home — or anywhere with a WiFi connection — often talk about the perks of doing so. It's no surprise that the practice seems to be increasing in popularity, with the LinkedIn 2019 Global Talent Trends Report finding a 78% increase in job listings on the popular career site mentioning the term “workplace flexibility." Clearly, non-office life is on everyone's minds these days, and in an email, LinkedIn career expert Blair Decembrele explains to Mic why exactly she thinks that is.
“We know balance is something that professionals are seeking, and our data shows that 51% of professionals say they are proudest to work at companies that promote work-life balance and flexibility,” says Decembrele. Of the thousands of adult full-time workers interviewed for the report, many of them — especially those between 25-40 — expressed interest in non-traditional work life, she adds, with 41% of millennials saying a good job means the flexibility to not have to sit at a desk from 9-5 every day.
However, while working remotely certainly has its upsides in this regard, there are significant drawbacks, too, that you might not realize when first starting the practice. Here, experts weigh in on some of the most common downsides of WFH life.
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It can be hard to work without office tools
Before going WFH full-time, Simoncic says to ask yourself some questions: if juggling multiple spreadsheets is a daily occurrence, will your laptop be sufficient, or do you need a spare monitor and mouse at home? If printing documents out before reviewing them is part of your normal routine, will you have access to a printer?
“Make sure you have the tools and technology you need to perform your job just as well as you would in the office,” says Simoncic. “Sometimes, your work will include these additional supplies as part of your employment, and other times you’ll be expected to pay out-of-pocket.”
That goes for WiFi, too. If you work from a location where it’s difficult to get online, it may prove problematic for your remote job. “Losing WiFi access can create serious challenges for staying connected with teammates and completing projects on time, so make sure you prepare for potential tech or internet issues,” says Stoddard. This can mean purchasing an additional mobile hotspot or ensuring that your phone is optimized for email, chats and calls. “Always have a backup plan for the worst-case scenario,” advises Stoddard.
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It can lead to unhealthy habits
“Working from a physical corporate office has benefits for both the body and mind, because you’re typically moving throughout the day,” says Stoddard. “Therefore, when working remotely, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle by setting a daily routine that includes standing up often, going for walks or even taking short exercise breaks throughout the day.”
Working from a coffee shop or cafe can help here, as you'll be more encouraged to regularly get out of the house and set up a healthy routine.
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It can reduce your motivation
Even if you have set deadlines for projects, you may still find yourself lacking motivation when not around coworkers. “Yes, a huge perk to working from home is that you don’t need to spend time in the morning looking presentable,” says Simoncic. “However, if productivity is an issue and you can’t seem to stay focused, you might have to do some pretending and change out of your pajamas.”
She adds that creating a daily routine — like putting on clean clothes and drinking a beverage to jumpstart your morning — can be key. “Doing small tasks between the time your alarm goes off and getting down to work will help you signal to yourself that the workday has officially begun,” she advises.
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It can be very, very distracting
When working from home, “it can be easy to become sidetracked by family, roommates, pets, deliveries, social media and phones,” says Stoddard. As such, “It’s key to establish a dedicated workspace that inspires a productive and creative workday and helps you stay focused on the task at hand.”
She adds that setting ground rules, such as logging out of your social media accounts during work hours or reminding family and roommates to be conscious of your availability during the day, can make a big difference.
If you’re debating whether or not to accept a remote job, weigh the pros and cons and figure out what type of environment will let you do your best work. “Remote work can be a fantastic option for both workers and employers, but it does come with its own set of challenges that need to be addressed,” says Reynolds. “These can definitely vary from person to person, so it’s important to assess your own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to remote work so you’ll know how to not just survive, but thrive as a remote worker.”