Three reasons why working from home isn’t as bad as it seems

As long as there is no vaccine for the coronavirus, working (at least partially) from home will remain the norm, meaning no fun chats at the coffee corner, no after work drinks and no walks around the building during lunchtime. Instead, working days are spent Zoom-ing or Skyping at the kitchen table and the new work social is having a beer in a virtual chat room at Friday 5pm – boring. But hey, working at home isn’t all bad. Actually, it has several benefits. Curious? Then read on.

Less travel time (and costs)

Let’s start with the biggest advantage of all: working from home means less travel time – and if your company doesn’t cover all travel costs, then this means saving money. Not having to cycle, drive or walk to the office results in more leisure time. Why not stay in bed that  little bit longer or go to the gym before work. And when work is over, immediately start doing your own thing. You simply have more me-time.

And another plus: less travel = less emission. So working from home is also better for the planet.

Decide what works best for you

Do you have a 9-to-5 mentality? Or are you more productive in the morning or maybe in the afternoon? If your company agrees to it, decide on the hours that work best. Morning people can start early and those who have trouble focusing can take an extra break during the day. It’s up to you. Just don’t miss any meetings and remember to keep in touch with your colleagues. 

Sustainable choices

Since most employees (partially) work from home, companies often have to arrange extra equipment. Employees need, at least, a laptop or tablet, a work phone, accessories like a desktop stand and ideally a good office chair. But buying all these things can cost a lot of money. As a result, many companies choose for cheaper and often more sustainable solutions. They, for example, rent a laptop or hire iPads that are reused. 

Circular IT is on the rise since the outbreak of the coronavirus. When using second hand or recycled electronic equipment, companies lower their footprint and pay a fair price: a win-win! 

These three reasons indicate that it’s not all bad to work from home. More time, money and freedom and Mother Nature is more happy as a bonus. Stay positive.

The editorial unit