These days, a growing number of employees are making the switch from working in an office to working from home. There are plenty of good reasons to go that route. When you do your job from home, you get more flexibility. You can be there to let delivery people in, do loads of laundry during mid-day breaks, and walk your dog. And because you're not commuting, you reap some savings, too.
But working from home isn't for everyone, and in some cases, it's a move you might regret. Here are a few reasons why working from home could be the wrong decision for you.
1. You thrive on company
Some people don't mind working solo and occasionally checking in with colleagues via email or phone. But if you're a social person by nature, working from home could make for a lonely experience. This especially holds true if you're used to working in a team environment, and enjoy the camaraderie of office life.
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2. You don't have the space
To succeed in a work-from-home environment, you need the right setup. Therefore, if you don't have the physical space required to set up an office or workstation, you might struggle to get your job done efficiently. And if your job requires you to attend meetings via video conference, you'll risk coming off as unprofessional when it's clear your home office is just your bedroom.
3. You're a natural procrastinator
Some of us are procrastinators by nature. But if you tend to have trouble getting motivated, a work-from-home arrangement could prove disastrous for your career, especially if you put off key tasks to the point where you miss deadlines and let other people down. Granted, working in an office won't prevent you from procrastinating completely, but having the support of others around you might help move important tasks along.
4. You're hoping to take on a management role
Some people do just fine managing people they're not in the same room with. But if you're hoping to get promoted to manager, your boss may be hesitant to consider someone who's not physically in the office to oversee staff, which in turn, could stunt your career growth.
5. Your company offers in-office perks
When you do your job from home, you get the luxury of working in your pajamas (sometimes), having access to your own kitchen, and just plain being comfortable. But if you work in an office with lots of on-site amenities, such as free lunch and snacks, fitness classes, and massages, you'll miss out on those perks if you decide to do your job remotely.
Working from home could wind up being a positive experience, and that arrangement might make many aspects of your life easier. But before you ask to do your job from home, think about the pitfalls you might encounter, and make sure that setup aligns with your personality and career goals. Similarly, think about the things you'll be giving up by not going into an office, whether it's coffee, meals, or the support that comes with having knowledgeable people around you at all times.
