4. Disadvantages of teleworking: Employees

For all the benefits we have mentioned for both the individual and the company, teleworking is by no means as popular as people predicted. So why not? Why do people still sit in traffic and why do companies still keep staff in offices?

The answer lies in the disadvantage of teleworking.

Issues for the individual

Always on call

You might feel you are always 'on call'. Because you are at home, the office might think that you are always available to do just a bit more work. It would need some sensible agreement as to when the company can call you up (and when they can't)

Harder to separate work from home life

You may have problems at home sometimes and you may have problems at work sometimes. Many people prefer to keep these things separate. Working at home makes this separation more difficult. Using a specific room as an office at home may help, but many people do not have the extra room.

Work even longer hours

Without the definite start and stop times of 'normal' work, it is easy to slip into the habit of working for too long. For example, checking work emails all the time. Good time discipline is needed to keep to standard hours.

Can be harder to be motivated

There can be a lot of distractions at home and you might be tempted to do other things rather than work

Work social life

Working is not all about getting your head down all the time. There is a lot of fun and banter to be had with your work colleagues as well. It can feel lonely at home, especially if the rest of the family is out of the house during the day.

Career prospects

Being away from the office means you may miss out on career opportunities. For example some important project may come up that could lead to promotion.

Short summary

• Always on call
• Harder to separate work from home life
• Work even longer hours
• Can be harder to be motivated
• No work colleagues to have a laugh with
• Career prospects may be affected