In recent years, we have seen a huge shift in working patterns, with many of us now choosing to work from home as opposed to going into the office. For some, this is a welcomed opportunity for flexibility and an improved work-life balance – but for others, this change is met with a little more reluctance and hesitation about what to expect.
Choosing where to work every day is a big decision, so to help, we’ve put together a few top tips to help you decide whether to work remotely or in-office.
How would it affect your job role?
If you’ve been given the opportunity to work remotely, it’s likely that your company has already considered the benefits of you doing so, and feel it would be in their best interests to have you stationed at home. However, it’s important that you also feel that this decision is the right one for you.
A good place to start is by thinking about the impact that working remotely would have on your day-to-day duties. Perhaps remote work would lead to your daily tasks becoming more streamlined and manageable – or, alternatively, perhaps they would become more complicated, and therefore remote work wouldn’t be a practical option for you. Ultimately, you want your work life to feel as easy and manageable as possible in order to be able to perform at your best.
If you’re currently on the hunt for a remote role, you’re already at somewhat of an advantage. This is because credible employers that have advertised for such a role have had to do their homework – like considering the logistical and practical implications of remote working – in order to get the go-ahead to hire.
Can you connect with team members easily?
Think about how you will keep in touch with your colleagues if most of your time is spent outside of the office. Does your company have a reliable plan for contact in place, or is this something that you would have to figure out by yourself? The answer to this question may indicate whether or not your employer is able to fully understand and support the needs of a homeworker. After all, for any company to run smoothly, regular communication is imperative – and you want to make sure that this isn’t lost through the transition to home working.
Do you have the equipment you need?
If you choose to work in-office, you know that you will be in close proximity to all of the tools and tech that you could possibly need to do a good job. However, when it comes to remote working, making sure that your space is suitable and that you have all the equipment that you need falls mainly on you.
Your employer will likely want to make sure that you have space in your home for a desk, and perhaps a suitable ergonomic chair. If you’re lucky, your employer will provide you with any equipment that you’re missing – but, this isn’t guaranteed, and ultimately, what is provided may not meet your comfort needs. After all, your employer doesn’t have the power to provide a dedicated office space within your home.
Overall
When pondering these top tips, it is perhaps most important to consider how working remotely versus in-office would make you feel, as you want to know that any decision that you make will be in your best interest and support your mental wellbeing. To make an educated decision, chat with your current (or potential) employer and colleagues, to get an idea of how they plan to offer support to their remote and in-office employees.
