Before you repurpose your garage as an office, corporate lawyer Emma Heuston recommends considering the pros and cons of remote work.
No place like home
Working in the comfort of your own home, in your tracksuit and slippers, has enormous appeal.
Cut the commute
What more can I say? Who loves spending hours stuck in traffic and wouldn't prefer commuting down their hallway to work?
A better balance
My new work arrangement has enabled me to live in a regional centre, at a slower and more affordable pace. It has also allowed me to structure my work hours to spend more time with my growing son.
Savings, savings
Companies that encourage and support remote work often report higher levels of employee retention and engagement, and higher employee satisfaction. It can also be a way for them to cut costs (on office equipment and office rental) and to streamline their operations. As a remote worker myself, I can attest to the fact that it fosters creativity and improves productivity. I love my new job!
However, it's not all sunshine and roses.
Getting established
There are costs involved in setting up your home office. You will need devices compatible with those of your employer, a fast and reliable Internet connection, and probably video-conferencing capabilities.
No back-up
Running your own show means exactly that. You will need to handle all your own administrative and HR needs, and there's no-one to turn to when your computer freezes.
Lost in communication
Working remotely can be lonely, unless your employer (and colleagues) make a concerted effort to maintain regular communication. This will suit some people but not others.
Is it for you?
I'm an introvert, so working remotely is compatible with my personality. I certainly need to be disciplined, organised and self-motivated, but so far it's working swimmingly. However, some people prefer the collaborative energy of an office, the networking opportunities it provides and being able to walk out the door at the end of the day. My advice is to think through these advantages and disadvantages before you make the leap.
In the final part of this series, Emma advises on how to make a success of remote work.
Emma is studying a Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice with UNE. She also recently launched her business, The Remote Expert, a law firm specialising in remote and flexible work arrangements, which helps businesses hire team members remotely and flexibly without risk.
