5 Reasons Why Work From Home is Not a Good Option

More and more people are working from home, thanks to tech advances that make communication and collaboration over the miles easier. But before you take the plunge into a work-from-home situation, consider the cons of this option.

* Isolation

If you thrive on the social interaction and collaboration that comes with an office environment, working from home might feel isolated and lonely to you.

* Distractions at home

Working from home requires a different level of self discipline. After all—there’s no one around to know if you’re on task all day, and you have no accountability outside of your own integrity. If you work for an employer, you have to find a way to create a work environment at home that keeps you focused and putting in the hours each day that you’d devote to your job in the office. If you’re self-employed, you still need boundaries to make sure that things get done, or your productivity and income will suffer.

* Cost of setting up a home office

To work from home, you’ll have to make an initial investment in basic equipment for production and communication with your employer and/or clients. A computer, printer, fast internet service, and conferencing accessibility are important to making yourself efficient and available.

* Corporate disconnect

Remember the water cooler, where you learned about that coveted position that was opening up in your department, or that lay-offs were coming and you’d better be on your toes? Working from home cuts you off from some of this type of important info. You’ll have to be more proactive about networking and staying in the loop with your co-workers and bosses.

* Keeping work and family separate

When you’re working at home, you have to be careful that your work doesn’t spill into family time. Just because you can work from home doesn’t mean you should be available 24/7. When you’re off-duty, be sure you switch your focus to family.