On March 11, 2020 the world forever changed. For many, working from home no longer was a choice but a necessity. Now, one year later many of us still have to contend with striking a work life balance when your home is also your office. Well, the good news is that with all American adults projected to be eligible for a vaccination no later than May 1st, working from home will become a choice yet again. So for those looking to survive the next few months until they can return to the office or those that will continue working remotely as normalcy returns, let’s dive into the ups and downs of working from home.‍‍

The Perks

According to a February 2021 Gallup poll nearly a quarter (23%)  of all U.S. workers want remote working to be a long term option. That is a lot of people enjoying the upsides of working from home, some of which include:

• No commute!
• According to an analysis by The Texas A&M Transportation Institute in 2017 “The average auto commuter spent 54 hours in congestion and wasted 21 gallons of fuel due to congestion at a cost of $1,080 in wasted time and fuel.” That is a lot of time and money saved. This opens up more opportunities to relax, be with the family, and get ahead at work or even that morning workout you’ve been trying to find time for.
• Not having a commute can also have mental health benefits. No more waking up at 6:00amjust to sit in a traffic jam so frustrating that not even the most calming episode of Brene Brown’s podcast can help. 
• You have more control over how you spend your day. Working from home allows you to take that quick break you need without judgement from your coworkers or the chance for a run and shower over lunch. This control also creates an opportunity to build more trust between employees and employers. 
• A 2005 study discovered a boost in job satisfaction with each added hour spent working remotely. (The boost halted after 15 hours.)
• Entrepreneurs and small business owners can save money on not having office space.
• Being around less people means less opportunities for sicknesses (not just Covid) to spread. 
• Removing office politics and distractions opens up the chance for higher levels of productivity and focus.
  

The Downsides 

• While more time with the family is an important perk, it can also be a hindrance. Even after children return to school, there will still be distracting moments of bored kids and frustrated partners. Sometimes boundaries with your co-workers are easier than boundaries with a toddler. Also, many experts believe that time away from your spouse and children is healthy for you and your relationship with them.
• Virtual meetings can amplify inequalities. The New York Times reported women feel that video calls make it tougher to get a word in.
• Humans are social creatures and the insulated nature of remote work can decrease intel-sharing. It also can decrease a sense of comradery and meaningful collaboration among coworkers.
• Physical activity is limited-- no more walking around the office or to meetings. You are more likely to be confined to the same space most of the day, which can damage blood circulation and your body’s oxygen supply. 
• Forbes recently reported on a February 2021 Trades Union Congress report of UK worker habits where ‘more than three million people carried out the equivalent of £24 billion [$33.35 billion] of unpaid labor during 2020. This equates to around 7.7 hours of unpaid overtime every week.’ So as we enter a new world there needs to be a solution to fight the possibility of more hours for less money.
• Remote working is an option for mostly white-collar office workers, which means it is a luxury, even during a global pandemic. Below the surface of this wades into the waters of socio-economic income inequality, but that article is for another time and place.