The ups, downs of working at home

Working at home has some real advantages, but it’s definitely not for everyone.

Before you take the big step inside, consider this:

• Reduces stress, while improving morale, work satisfaction and motivation;

• Fewer interruptions allows greater focus and improved personal productivity;

• Improved job satisfaction;

• Save money on food, clothing, dry cleaning, bus, parking, fuel, highway tolls, insurance, etc. Commuting to work can cost $8,468.40 or 47 cents per kilometre per year (Canadian Automobile Association 2002 national average);

• Reduces commuting time (commuting one hour each day equates to six full work-weeks a year);

• Reduces need to relocate;

• Gives job access to those in geographically remote areas;

• Fewer daytime home break-ins;

• Recognizes growing importance of family, increase in and single parent/dual career households;

• Reduces traffic accidents;

• Meets demands for new lifestyles and flexible work environments;

• Helps balance work and family or life;

• Makes "getting to work" easy for disabled persons;

• Can improve supervisor/employee communications;

• Reduces exposure to "office politics."

• Fewer career and promotional opportunities, reduced office influence;

• Desk potato or "fridge factor" syndrome;

• Diminished access to resources found only at workplace;

• Potential for distractions;

• Work/family or life balance may be affected if teleworker becomes a work addict;

• Reduced social interaction can lead to social and professional isolation;

• Potential for longer hours.