Some professionals rave about working from home, while others disagree. Is telecommuting as great as we think it is? Well… it depends. Find out why here.

How Great Is Working from Home, Really?

Are you plotting a way to convince your boss to let you work remotely? We know, the thought of telecommuting from your giant bean bag chair or favorite coffee shop is a great one. But before you present your case, there are a few factors to consider. We’ll start with the pros.

The Benefits of Working from Home

• Increased productivity (depending on your working environment)
• More flexibility
• A greater sense of independence
• Less workplace-related distractions
• Savvier use of alternative communication (texting, Skyping, emailing, web meetings, etc.)

Like all things, however, there are two sides to every coin.

The Drawbacks of Working from Home

• Less face-to-face interaction with coworkers and supervisors
• Reduced productivity due to home-related distractions
• Increased distractions
• Potential to work more than is necessary
• Sense of disconnection from coworkers, supervisors, and workplace
• Difficulty separating home life from work life

In addition to weighing the pros and cons of telecommuting, there are a few questions that you should ask yourself. For instance, how strong is your focus, drive, and motivation outside of the office? Are you self-disciplined enough to concentrate on your work despite increasing thoughts of Netflix, housework, and grocery shopping? It’s important to know yourself well enough to conclude whether working from home will work for you.

What Do Others Say About the Pros and Cons?

In compiling our data, we’ve found that there’s no clear consensus on the positives and negatives of working from home. Rather, the pros and cons are a matter of opinion at the very least and condition-oriented results at the absolute best. It all depends on your opinion, your workspace, and your access to the necessary tools and equipment. It also depends on your role.

For example, working remotely is a huge plus for individuals with independent roles, such as that of a writer, designer, or sales professional. For people whose roles require them to be near to and in continual communication with coworkers or supervisors, or require access to specific tools or equipment, working from home can be extremely difficult, if not impossible.

So, before you ask your boss the big question, read over the benefits and drawbacks of working remotely. Ask yourself questions. And more importantly, decide whether your position complements the work-from-home lifestyle. If the pros override the cons, you’re confident in your self-discipline, and your role is well-suited for telecommuting, working from home may be just the thing to ask for.