Work from home concept during covid 19 is a better practice even in this economic crisis

 Work from home concept during covid 19 is a better practice even in this economic crisis

Figure 1: Work from Home

A serious global economic crisis has resulted from the fast worldwide spread of a new coronavirus illness (COVID-19 virus). Governments implemented absolute lockdown, prohibiting all non-essential travel and forcing the closure of all non-essential businesses. Many uncomfortable working circumstances resulted from the government's rigorous control efforts. Traditional methods of working were confronted with significant difficulties. COVID-19 had a comparable impact on the world economy as the 2008 financial crisis; however, its long-term implications were more severe. In significantly impacted regions and industries, such as education and healthcare, the influence on firm performance is more evident. Companies must adapt rapidly to a COVID-19 strategy that is transient. To prevent the spread of disease and losses, several organizations have adopted flexible work methods, such as working from home. Most individuals were already adopting internet commerce, work from home (WFH), and digital enterprises during the COVID-19 crisis. Work patterns shifted because of the crisis, and the WFH model expanded quickly (Frontires in Psychology, 2022).

Although this concept was prevalent with the Covid 19 epidemic, it can be seen that organizations have been inclined to adopt it in the face of the current economic crisis. In the face of the current economic crisis, organizations are unable to provide transportation for their employees, and due to the high cost, it is indeed an advantage for organizations to provide that opportunity to employees who can work from home. It is also a good opportunity for the employee to maintain a work-life balance.

The rise of Wi-Fi and cloud-based software has made "working from home" more accessible to almost everyone who is not involved in hard labor. However, this approach comes with a number of drawbacks in addition to its benefits. We were eager to investigate and discovered the following information. Read on to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of working from home for both individuals and larger businesses.

Figure 2: Advantages of working from home

 

Advantages

·        Flexibility and agility - Working from home gives you greater flexibility and agility in your work schedule. Employees may be better positioned and more ready to work flexible hours, such as earlier or later in the day, or even on weekends if they are no longer tethered to an office.

 

·        Improved employee retention - The flexibility of working from home may help employees meet childcare obligations, minimize their commute, and fit their job around their personal lives, which can help them retain staff. Allowing employees to work from home increases their faith in their employer, which can lead to higher levels of employee loyalty.

 

·        Attract new talent - Working from home might be presented as an incentive to come work for you, assisting you in attracting fresh talent to your company. Even simply allowing employees to work from home can provide you a competitive edge over competitors that do not allow employees to work from home.

 

·        Increased productivity - Because there are fewer interruptions than there would be at an office working from home, on the other hand, provides a calmer setting that allows for work that is more concentrated. You may also discover that some workers want to expand their paid contractual hours because of the time they save traveling to and from work.

 

 

·        Increased staff motivation - Employees will feel more trusted by their company if they work from home because the working relationship is not as tightly watched and employees are given more latitude to get on with their tasks. Staff will also be happier if they can build a home working pattern that suits them better, which will help them feel more driven to do their best job.

 

·        Improved staff health and wellbeing - Working from home reduces the need for your staff to commute to work, which may be stressful. Staff can also benefit from other health benefits like getting better sleep, spending more time with family, exercising, or preparing healthier meals because of time savings like these.

 

·        Financially Beneficial - Going into faraway work might be financially lucrative from a business aspect. Your company will no longer have to pay for office space or electricity, allowing you to focus on more responsibilities that are important. Employees now have control over their own workspace. Working from home saves money for the company, but it also saves money for employees by eliminating travel time and expenditures.

 

 

·        Better work/life balance - Working from home may help employees achieve a better work-life balance. For example, individuals who would have had to commute can now utilize that time for themselves, resulting in a better work-life balance. Staff can also integrate domestic duties into their workday to provide them more free time in the evenings, such as loading or unloading the dishwasher or cooking supper during their lunch break.

 

·        Less sickness absences - Working from home makes employees happier and more invigorated, which means their immune systems are less likely to be harmed by burnout. Furthermore, because staff work in isolation, there is a lower risk of illnesses spreading than there would be in an office setting.

Figure 3: Disadvantages of working from home

 Disadvantages

·        Working from home does not suit everyone - Working from home is not for everyone's personality or skill set. Some employees may appreciate the regularity and structure that comes with working in an office setting. Some employees prefer face-to-face engagement with coworkers and believe that face-to-face coaching from their boss is incredibly valuable in assisting them in completing duties and achieving their objectives. You must also consider personnel with disabilities. Working from home may have an adverse effect on the assistance they require to do their duties. Working from home may not be suitable for everyone's lifestyle, for example, some people may have small children who are oblivious to limits and cause disruptions during the working day.

·        Staff feeling isolated - Individuals working from home may experience the natural detachment from their coworkers and the company as a whole that an office atmosphere provides. Employers might solve this issue by ensuring that communication is more consistent. Staff is given an additional opportunity to feel active and part of the team by organizing brief catch-ups over the phone or regular team meetings using other technologies such as Skype. More informal and sociable get-togethers might also assist to alleviate any feelings of loneliness.

 

·        Difficulty monitoring performance - It may be challenging to manage and oversee the performance of home employees. Different personalities may react to monitoring in a positive or negative way. You can consider defining measurable objectives and targets for your employees so that if they do not meet them, you can spot and address any performance concerns early on.

 

·        Home distractions - Although working from home eliminates workplace distractions, if a worker does not have a sufficiently quiet dedicated working area at home, domestic noises or other members of their household may easily distract them.

 

 

·        Negative impact on mental health - If employees are unable to establish a schedule that works for them, struggle to separate work and home life, or feel lonely, the transition to working from home may have a detrimental influence on their mental health (Nibusinessinfo.co.uk, 2022).

References

Frontires in Psychology, 2022. Frontires in Psychology. [Online]
Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.710517/full
[Accessed 2 April 2022].

Nibusinessinfo.co.uk, 2022. Nibusinessinfo.co.uk. [Online]
Available at: https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/advantages-and-disadvantages-employees-working-home
[Accessed 2 April 2022].

 

Figure 1: Work from Home. 1

Figure 2: Advantages of working from home. 2

Figure 3: Disadvantages of working from home. 4