What are the pros and cons of telecommuting?

As we are all experiencing a global pandemic, most governments are requiring their citizens to stay at home. This is to ensure the stop of the spread of the virus. However, for most businesses, this also means stopping their business operations. Now, this is where telecommuting comes into the picture.

But what is telecommuting? As defined in the Cambridge Dictionary, to telecommute is to work at home and communicate with your office by phone or email. With the available software and applications, it has become easier for companies to continue their operations despite the lockdowns.

But will it be an efficient strategy for your business? Here are some of the pros and cons of telecommuting to help you decide:

PROS

Cost-efficient

Since there is no need to spend on overhead expenses such as office maintenance, office electricity, water and office supplies, companies can now save some of their budget. And employees may save their budget for transportation and other expenses whenever they go to the office.

Improved Employee Satisfaction

Since business is still running, employers can still afford to pay for their employees’ wages and in return, employees would continue to work efficiently. And because they don’t have to go through the stress of daily commute, they can keep a happier outlook as they do their job.

Increases Productivity

It is said that working from home increases employees’ productivity since they can focus more on their tasks and has lesser need to take breaks and time offs. Employers can rely more on their employees to report for work and lessen absences.

Improved Work-Life Balance

Employers and employees alike now have more extra time to attend to their personal needs. May it be more time with family, on learning new skills, time for their household needs or their own personal needs, they now have enough time to focus on these.

CONS

Less Opportunity to Monitor Employees

Since they are not physically together, supervisors will have a harder time keeping track of their team members’ productivity. These can be addressed however by using online communication and project management tools.

Less Personal Interaction

We all need to socially interact with others at some point, and this may decrease due to being stuck at home. Having difficulty in communicating with team may also lead to frustrations. Again, this can be solved by having the right communication tools.

Setting of boundaries

In a traditional setting, we are expected to work when we are in the office, with telecommuting, boundaries may be crossed. Meaning, clients, colleagues and supervisors may send work-related messages outside the work hours. And for those working at home, setting the boundaries of when they should work and when they should attend to their personal needs may also become confusing. It is highly-advised to set schedules and definite working hours and to create an office space at home to provide a clearer boundary between work and personal time.

Still undecided or not sure how? Contact us at DyCom SmartStaff and we will help you continue your business operations with our cost-effective offshore services.