The Benefits of Working From Home

Updated August 22, 2023

Technological advancements have made staying in contact much easier for many professionals. As a result, many companies are now giving employees the option to work from home or in the office. To make an informed decision, knowing the benefits of working from home is important. In this article, we explain what working from home is and explore 20 benefits of working remotely.

What is working from home?

Working from home, also known as telecommuting or working remotely, is when an employee completes their job out of the office. They may work in a home office, go to a cafe, or even travel while they work.

Working remotely is becoming more and more popular as technology, such as video chatting, allows teams to stay connected and work together more efficiently. Some companies may only offer remote positions while others may give their employees the choice to work in person, at home, or a mix of both.

20 benefits of working from home

Here are some of the best benefits of working from home:

1. Less time spent commuting

Commuting can take hours out of your day. Even if you work nearby, there may be traffic, public transport could be down, or weather conditions could make the drive dangerous and longer. When you're working from home, your commute is simple as you are just walking from one room to another. Working from home can give you extra time to put toward more productive tasks.

Related: Work From Home Guide

2. Higher level of productivity and performance

When working alone at home, you usually have fewer interruptions and distractions. This allows you to be more productive and maybe even finish your work earlier than you normally would. Many remote workers are even more productive at home to show employers they are trustworthy and can work independently. So, you may find your performance increases when working remotely.

3. Improved work-life balance

Working from home gives you more freedom and time. You can choose to dedicate more time to your family and pursuing your hobbies, improving your work-life balance. As you also have more control of your schedule, you can create one based on your priorities instead of planning your day around work.

4. Custom work environment

Even if you have your own office or cubicle at work, you may be limited in the changes you can make to it. Working from home allows you to customize your work environment. You can get a more comfortable chair or desk, work in front of a window with a view, listen to music or white noise, or even work from a new location every day.

5. Save more money

When you go to work at an office, you're spending money on gas or public transport, professional clothing, meals out, and maybe a coffee or two throughout the day. Working from home can help you save extra money as you'll have no commute and you can buy groceries to make food and coffee during your breaks. If you're video chatting, you still need professional clothing, but you won't have to replace it as often or adhere to a strict dress code.

6. Work from anywhere

The thing that attracts a lot of people to remote work is that you can work anywhere. You can work in your own home, go to cafes, parks, restaurants, or even new countries. As long as you have a stable internet connection and don't need to go into the office for meetings, you can successfully work from anywhere in the world.

7. Environmentally friendly

Since you won't be commuting, you'll be using less gas and decreasing your carbon footprint. You'll also be using less electricity on lighting and air conditioning in your home than your company would on the entire office.

8. Healthier lifestyle

Many of us turn to quick food, like snacks from a vending machine, as we are in a rush to get back to work. Working from home can give you more time to focus on a healthy diet. You can spend the time you would've spent commuting to making a healthy, delicious breakfast or lunch for you and your family.

You can also dedicate more time to exercising or invest in a standing desk to improve your posture and overall health while you work.

9. Less need for sick days

Working from home when you have a slight cold or aren't feeling well is easier than going to work. You can adjust your work schedule to make your day lighter and get some rest on your breaks. This means you can save your sick days for emergencies.

10. Fewer distractions

In an office, there can be plenty of distractions. People walking around, team members to talk to, or colleagues making calls near you. At home, you can have your own, quiet space to focus on your tasks.

11. Flexible schedule

Companies that allow their employees to work remotely usually give them the freedom to create their own schedules. This means you can create a flexible schedule around your personal life, a huge benefit for parents or those taking care of family members.

12. Comfortable clothing

While there may still be a dress code if you're video chatting, you can dress comfortably at home. If you won't be video chatting, you can even choose to just wear your pyjamas or activewear and stay comfortable while you work. Wearing comfortable clothing you already have instead of buying formal business wear is another aspect of working from home that might save you money.

13. Able to take care of the household

As your schedule is flexible when you work remotely, you have more time and opportunity to take care of your household. Put a load of laundry to wash while you work and fold it on your break. Prepare your meals for the week on your lunch break. Doing so may help preserve weekend time for leisure.

14. Option to choose your own breaks

Taking small breaks throughout the day helps you stay energized and focused on your work. When you work from home, you can choose whenever you want to take your breaks. You might even take a quick power nap in the middle of your workday to help boost your energy.

15. Increased independence

If you're working from home, your employer trusts you to be independent. They are relying on you to get your tasks done in your own time, which can motivate some people to work harder. Similarly, you'll be working alone, so you won't rely on others as much to make decisions or solve problems for you.

16. Decreased likelihood of spreading sickness

Some employees still go to work when they're sick which can lead to their illness spreading around the office and lowering productivity. Working from home eliminates this possibility and helps keep everyone safe.

17. More confidence in your work

Working independently gives you greater confidence in your work. You won't be relying on your colleagues as much, so you need to think more creatively. You may even find yourself developing new skills and knowledge to improve your performance.

18. Less time spent in meetings

Having meetings at work can be time-consuming, especially when you need to set up presentations and wait for everyone to attend and find a seat. Remote work limits the time you spend in meetings as there are fewer interruptions, set-up time, and your files are easily accessible in one place. Your company may even eliminate meetings and choose to have a chat or messaging feature instead. This allows you and your team to stay connected through written or verbal messages you can check and answer throughout your day.

19. More time with loved ones

If your loved ones, such as a partner or children, are home throughout the day, you can spend more time with them. Take your breaks with them or change your schedule to match theirs. You might put the time you would've spent commuting towards spending extra time with your loved ones, adding to an improved work-life balance.

20. Easy to stay connected

Technology has made staying connected extremely easy. You can video chat, email, or message your colleagues during the day. You no longer need to walk to their office or schedule in-person meetings to ask a quick question or update your team. Many companies implement normal office hours or allow you to do so for remote work so you won't be receiving calls, emails, or messages when you're off.