Remote work boosted exponentially when COVID-19 compelled firms all over the world to close their offices and implement work from home.
Yes, many companies were caught off guard by the rush to provide employees with all of the tools they needed to work from home. However, after everyone had settled in, it became clear to many office-based teams that employees could be just as productive and focused when they were not in the office—in many cases, even more so. Employers all across the world came to realize that remote work is a viable option.
According to Statistics Canada, in response to COVID-19, 4.7 million Canadians who had not previously worked from home began to do so. While working from home during a worldwide pandemic is not the same as working from home under normal conditions, it may still help you determine whether working from home is suitable for you in the long run. If your company does provide more flexible work choices in the future, reflecting on crucial issues now will help you make an informed decision.
What to Consider to Decide Between WFH and Office Work?
Contemplate Your Expectations
To begin, it will be beneficial to establish suitable expectations based on more typical conditions rather than your surroundings during a pandemic. You may not have relatives, children, or roommates at home during working hours after social distancing limitations have been lifted.
You could also have more freedom to leave the house for lunch, errands, exercise, or social engagements. You may also be in a better, more productive frame of mind if you are not always concerned about preserving your health and the health of others around you.
Work Environment
Consider your physical workstation as well. Contemplate where you’ll set up each day when deciding whether you want to work remotely in the long run. You should also consider if you will be able to obtain all of the necessary technological equipment, including those that appear easy but may be difficult to obtain, such as high-speed internet.
Consider Your Life Plans
Spend some time thinking about your personal and professional five-year plans. Life circumstances may have influenced your decision to work from home. For example, you may be preparing to have children and want to spend more time at home, attempting to relocate closer to family, or seeking more inexpensive housing options that are distant from your workplace.
Also, Consider These to Make an Informed Decision
There is no one method to work from home that is ideal for everyone, just as there is no one way to work in an office. Trying several ways to work from home will offer you knowledge and experience that will help you pick the best work environment for you.
It may take some getting used to and patience to test your work from home style. Furthermore, whether you write it down or take a mental inventory of your experiences, it is critical to preserve a record of your development.
This can help you keep note of your likes and dislikes, where you find success, and what you might change so you can assess your alternatives, such as:
- Physical Health– Working from home for an extended period of time may have both beneficial and bad impacts on your physical health. Make time for consistent physical activity before making a final judgment regarding the impact of working from home on your physical health.
- Time Management– Working from home may save you hours by eliminating your commute, and you may find it easier to focus without frequent workplace distractions such as unexpected meetings, queries, or chats.
- Social Life– Check to determine if you can effectively cultivate your social ties while working from home before making any long-term commitments.
To Sum Up.
Offices may operate differently when COVID-19 limitations are lifted, which may influence how you finally determine what is best for you. More businesses are contemplating the “hotel” idea, which includes fewer on-site amenities and more flexible work-from-home regulations.
As firms provide more flexible choices to their employees, you may not have to pick between working from home and working in an office. In any event, if you can carefully assess the pros and cons of working remotely, you’ll be in a stronger place to firmly make the best option for yourself.
About the Author
Simon Chou is the Vice President of Operations and Growth at BCjobs.ca. Over the course of his career, he carved a niche in brand development, marketing strategy, and online presence for startups. Prior to joining BCJobs.ca, Simon was an advisor for several global blockchain projects including Litecoin, NEM, and Ripple. In the past, he also worked with Fortune 500 companies in the healthcare space through SM Digital—a global marketing agency.
