How to Mitigate the Negative Effects of Working from Home

The response to the recent trend of increased remote work around the world has largely been positive for both employees and employers. One study showed more than 80% of participants saying they would be willing to take a pay cut to continue working from home. Many companies have also warmed to the idea of remote work enough to formulate plans for more remote work in the future. While some studies show that working from home can boost productivity in more ways than one, remote work is not without its weaknesses.

“Whether remote work is ideal for an employee will largely depend on their temperament and habits, and the type of work they are doing,” Lucy Lyle, entrepreneur and founder of Perch, commented. Lucy Lyle added, “If you work from home, you have to be intentional about staying organized, avoiding distractions, and finding a social life outside of work.”

These factors are some of the better-known negative effects of working from home. In the comfort of your own home, it can be tempting to treat your workspace as just another corner of your living space. However, you’ll have to flip your perspective and begin treating it as your office if you want to be successful. This means keeping your desk clean and well-arranged, setting your desk up in a quiet, distraction-free room, and making time for social activities.

“People have come to expect meeting other people and having conversations with them at work,” Lucy Lyle observed. “While it may not seem like a big deal, loneliness can affect your work at home, so be sure you have a good base of support that you check in with regularly.”