Pros and Cons of Working from Home

Before the world got turned upside down by COVID-19, we here at Rise shared our thoughts on the perks of ditching the office for the living room. Fast forward to nearly two years of working in our PJs, and we've been itching to figure out: How has this whole work-from-home (WFH) saga really played out? Are the work-from-home tips we once swore by still hitting the mark, or has the shift to remote work changed how we view the whole work-from-home deal?

Before we dive too deep into reflection, let’s chat about the good, the bad, and the strategies for making the most out of working from home, for both the folks running the show and their teams.

What We've Discovered About WFH During COVID

We've always been big fans of working from anywhere but the office, at least some of the time. But when COVID hit and sent everyone home, were we really ready for it? Did we jump into something bigger than we expected, or did this challenge give us the perfect chance to really test the waters of remote work?

Let’s take a look at the upsides for both employers and employees, alongside the challenges, and chat about how businesses can keep reaping those remote work rewards without needing to rally the troops back to the office.

🚀 Read more on: "Top Companies to Work for Remotely"

The Upsides for Everyone

The WFH setup often seems like a sweet deal just for the employee. Skip the commute, rock your comfy clothes all day, and take breaks whenever? Sounds great, but there’s plenty in it for the employers too.

✅ Boosted Productivity

Turns out, folks have been knocking out tasks like champions from the comfort of their homes, especially during those early days of the pandemic. It might be because we're working longer hours at home compared to the office. Whatever the reason, one thing's clear: people simply like working from home and are willing to put in the extra hours to keep it that way.

✅ Happier Teams

All those studies aren’t wrong: people are genuinely more stoked about their jobs when they’re doing them from home. Of course, that joy comes with a caveat—things like clear boundaries and efforts to balance work and life play a big role. When your team’s happy, they’re not just more productive; they’re also more creative and likely to stick around longer.

✅ Cutting Costs

Running an office isn’t cheap. By letting your team work from home, you’re looking at saving a pretty penny on everything from rent to utilities. Not to mention, with fewer people coming into the office, you might just see a healthier team that’s not passing around the cold or flu.

Making the Most Out of WFH

Even before the world was hit by the pandemic, we suspected that folks would be happier and more productive working from home. And now? We've got the data to prove it. But, remote work comes with its set of challenges for both employees and employers. Here’s a bit of advice for keeping things smooth.

1. Ease Up on the Oversight

Are your employees keen on working from home, or are they just trying to escape the watchful eyes of management? It’s worth pondering what you might lose by giving your team a bit more freedom. If there’s no critical need for them to be in the office, why not let their home be their workspace?

2. Work-Life Balance is Crucial

Sure, folks love the no-commute life so much they’re willing to work extra hours. But it didn’t take long for the novelty to wear off for some, as the lines between work and personal life began to blur. Emphasizing work-life balance is key, and a hybrid model might just be the golden ticket for some organizations.

3. Keep Communication Open

Just because we’re not sharing an office doesn’t mean we don’t miss the watercooler chats. Building and maintaining good relationships with colleagues is essential, and while tools like Slack and Zoom help, they have their limits. Creating a sense of community and teaching everyone how to respect each other’s boundaries can make a world of difference.

💡 Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly job drops, expert career tips and more!

Whether your company nails the community vibe or could use some improvement, connecting with folks outside your immediate work circle is invaluable. That’s where the Rise community comes in, offering everything from mentorship and networking opportunities to job leads.

So, how have your views on WFH evolved over the last couple of years? Noticed any pros and cons we didn’t cover? What changes or improvements would you like to see in the future? Let’s keep the conversation going.