Top 10 Disadvantages of Working from Home

With the recent switch from full weeks in the office to working remotely, many remote workers have reveled in their ability to stay home, skip the commute, and create their own schedules with remote work. And while this can help some save money and live a more flexible lifestyle, others have come to find that there are made disadvantages of work from home.

Work from home has been great for many, but certainly not all. From creating a better work-life balance to allowing for more face-to-face interaction, opting for coworking spaces can make a world of difference for some employees.

As we look ahead to the future of the office environment, we are breaking down the disadvantages of working from home when deciding whether or not to commit to a new office.

1. Decrease in Corporate Culture

One of the most significant advantages of offering an office space during normal business hours is that it fosters company culture in a way that remote work cannot. This is one of the key cons of working from home, as interacting through just a computer screen doesn't allow for ample engagement and expression in the way in-person work can.

2. Lack of Focus on Work

Another disadvantage of working from home is the lack of focus that comes with the home environment. For many workers, it can be easy to lose motivation during the normal 9 to 5, but when you're working from home, you can quickly redirect this unmotivated mindset to less productive activities.

Remote work often means remote employees experience home life distractions, with household chores to be done, roommates and partners present, and sometimes children running around. Unlike the office, remote workers don't get a chance to step away from their home life, allowing for those outside distractions to get in the way.

On the other hand, an office environment can allow workers to work in one common space, all with the same goal and mindset to bounce off of each other to create a more motivated, productive environment.

3. Distracting Work Environment

Another of the work-from-home downsides is the distracting environment many remote workers are faced with.

Some remote workers can be distracted by children while working from home. Even those with pets will be more distracted, dealing with more household noises and necessary walks.

No matter what home working looks like for your remote employees, you can bet there are home distractions that would otherwise be eliminated in a private single office or coworking space.

4. Lower Performance

One of the more impactful disadvantages of working from home for companies is lower performance. Let's face it - working alone can be tough. Not only is it more challenging to stay connected, but it can feel isolated and lacking in social interaction. With this, it takes self-discipline to stay motivated.

As a result, remote jobs can result in longer and less work time, as a remote team spends more time on breaks or hanging around in this unmonitored environment. However, full-time employees in the office or coworking spaces are more on their toes, resulting in increased productivity and fewer office distractions.

5. Ineffective Professional Communication

While remote workers have become equipped with all the essential office equipment, virtual private networks, high-speed internet, messaging platforms, and essential video conferencing tools, these communication tools still aren't as convenient and fast as interacting in a physical space.

Even with the most high-speed internet and video calls that make employees easily accessible, nothing fully serves as a substitute for face-to-face interaction. And while telecommuting employees can certainly be reached within minutes, emails and messages will never compare to quick in-person questions. And when it comes to official meetings? Video calls just don't compare.

6. Fewer Networking Opportunities

Another disadvantage of working from home is that remote working doesn't allow for as much professional communication and networking opportunities. Not only do remote workers feel less connected to their own co-workers, but they don't get a chance to speak with other professionals in their field.

A smaller network can make a job feel more challenging for a remote team, can impact long-term career progress, and make it harder for a remote worker to get promoted. With less mentorship and networking, a remote worker develops fewer connections. This obviously impacts their career, but can additionally take a toll on team spirit and a sense of belonging in the larger remote teams.

7. Underequipped Working Space

A lack of proper office equipment, secure cloud access, and everyday office supplies needed for a remote job are among the many disadvantages of working from home.

Particularly significant for employees who are working remotely in their homes, even having space for all the necessary office equipment can be a challenge. There are a lot of elements that go into setting up the best office space for working from home with increased productivity. From a comfortable desk and chair to ample lighting, a remote computer, strong WiFi, access to sensitive company documents, and many more, working from home isn't a simple setup.

In fact, working from home in an under-equipped office can lead to lower quality work, and sometimes long hours to make up for the issues employees run into. Thankfully, simple solutions, such as heading to coffee shops during work hours or opting for coworking space and rented conference rooms offer several benefits to working independently.

8. Lack of Data Security

Likely the most concerning of the disadvantages of working from home for employers is security concerns. Keeping data secure and out of the wrong hands is essential to many industries, and providing secure access to employees can prove challenging for those working remotely. While a number of steps can be taken to improve data security for remote work, it is much easier to do so in an office space.

9. Virtual Meetings Drowsiness

Video meeting fatigue is a very real thing when discussing remote work. While video conferences have served as a great way to connect this working remotely, many are tired of these video options, and without in-person monitoring, it can lead to mid-day naps, random searching, and a general lack of attention to the meeting. With this, it takes more effort to communicate with employees on video, making delivering information and conducting calls with remote work all the more challenging.

10. Poor Work-Life Balance

Who would have thought a personal life was more possible before remote work?

We used to be worried about taking our work home with us, but with the current remote work environment, the work-life balance is almost nonexistent. While the daily commute used to allow us to shake off the day and set boundaries between the office and home, working from home doesn't allow for this same option. Without being able to step away from the office, many find that working independently leads to longer hours, causing burnout and overworking.

Find the Best Office Space for Your Needs at 620 N LaSalle

From a lack of connection with fellow employees to challenges staying focused and home distractions, working from home isn't necessarily the substitute for in-person work many were hoping it would be. In fact, for many small businesses and growing companies, opting for an office just makes sense.

If you're ready to explore a new office today, our team at 620 N LaSalle has a number of options for you. To begin, schedule a tour today.