More than 1.54 million people work from home for their main job - up from 884,000 ten years ago, according to the Office of National Statistics Labour Force Survey, the largest study of employment circumstances in the UK.
Yet while remote working continues to become one of the UK’s most popular ways of working given the flexibility it comes with, working from home might not actually be everyone’s preferred choice, and here’s why.
It has its many upsides, from reduced travel costs and time spent in the car or on the train, to the ability to better manage childcare and that work-life balance. But for it to be a complete success, the truth is you’d need to be very self-disciplined and not too easily distracted for it really work. On the flip side, many people have found that this kind of flexible approach to work has in fact transformed their productivity levels and thereby lowered the usual work-life stresses that many of us may experience. So, what does it all boil down to? In our opinion, it simply boils down to the type of person that you are and the kind of working environment that you thrive off.
If you’ve ever wondered whether working from home is the best option for you, we’ve listed three character ‘essentials’ for making remote working a success for both your career and your employer.
- Confidence. Working from home means working alone. Yes, you may be virtually connected to others in the office, but strictly speaking you will be ‘riding solo’ and should therefore be able to make decisions without calling the office repeatedly for some reassurance.
- Self-motivatation. If you’re easily distracted, remote working may be a bad call. If on the other hand, you’re confident that your working day won’t be disrupted by television or housework, then working from home might be perfect for you. It’s important to find an area within your house where you can stay focused and away from distractions, allowing you to show your employer that you have what it takes to stay engaged, wherever you work.
- Resilience. It can often take a strong, resilient person to be able to succeed at remote working. Over time, you’ll be no stranger to spending hours upon hours with little interaction with others. If you thrive off constant interaction with your colleagues, then maybe you’re better situated in an office environment.
Remote working can be a terrific choice for both employer and employee. Not only does it show that an employer has complete trust in its workforce, employee productivity as well as job-satisfaction have also proven to thrive with this way of working. So, if you haven’t already, maybe it’s time to put this kind of flexibility to the test!
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