Many people have been working remotely since March 2020. But at this point in the pandemic, some companies are finally starting to call their employees back to the office.
If your employer decides to reopen, you may be asked to come to work in person, but you may also have the option to continue working from home. Some companies are realizing that remote setups work reasonably well, allowing employees to stay at home even when office buildings reopen.
Continuing to work remotely certainly has its advantages. Not only do you benefit from a more flexible schedule, but you also have the opportunity to save money on travel expenses. And if you have children, you may be able to save some cash on childcare costs. For example, if you don’t spend time commuting, you may need fewer hours of care, which can translate into lower fees.
But working from home long-term can hurt your career. Before making this call, consider the drawbacks that come with it.
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The downside of long-term work from home
If you work from home, you may be able to spend less and replenish your savings. But it could also hinder your career growth.
For one thing, if you continue to work remotely, you may miss the opportunity to learn from others. Sometimes you can tell at work simply by watching others, but if you continue to work in isolation you could lose that chance.
If you continue to work remotely, you may be missing out on the opportunity to network with other people in your company. You never know when getting to know people in different departments can lead to better job opportunities in the company. But if you are not there you cannot develop these relationships.
After all, some people just work better in an office environment. If you are one of them but continue to work from home, you may be less productive, which could affect your chances of a raise or promotion.
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What’s the right solution for you?
If you enjoy working from home and prefer to report to an office, you may want to stick with it. Just be sure you understand what you might lose if you go this route.
Another option to consider is a hybrid setup – one where you work from home a few days a week but come to the office the rest of the week – if your company allows it. If your employer is willing to be flexible, a hybrid schedule might give you the best of both worlds. This allows you to be at home for a few days, which can lead to a better work-life balance. At the same time, you have the opportunity to show your face, get in touch with your colleagues and learn from those around you.
And who knows? You may even find that you value the social aspect of showing up in an office more than anything, and there is nothing wrong with that.
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