Reasons not to work from home

Working from home has become increasingly popular for employers, employees, and self-starters. While there are many great reasons why people choose this option, before making this decision it is also a good idea to evaluate the reasons why it might be better not to work from home.

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What works for one person may not work for another and this is why it is important to examine all angles before making a commitment to work out of your own home. Sometimes, the idea initially sounds fantastic but then turns out not to be such a good plan at all. It all depends on your individual situation. Reasons not to work from home could include:

Get easily distracted

Working from home can lead to many distractions ranging from kids running around, telephones ringing, checking personal email, or peeking in on social media. It also could simply be getting tempted by other alternatives to work such as projects, cleaning, lunch dates, or other invitations. Another issue people often encounter when working from home is they can't stay focused. It is hard to sit in an area that is used by other family members or full of non-related work papers, books, and other items.

Some people have the luxury of setting up a separate room, or at least space, for their work and, in this respect, they can alleviate the distraction factor by setting physical boundaries. Establishing regular "office hours" often also solves the problem of interruptions from others.

Blur of personal and professional life

This can be related to distractions, but also contains other different problematic issues that arise for some people who try to work from home. Depending on the nature of work, and whether or not the person works for his or herself or a larger company and has to report in, personal and professional life can become blurred.

What this means is people working from home spend most, if not all, of their time at home. They often find themselves working at odd hours or being held to expectations to take on work-related tasks when they need to spend time with family. The line between work and home can lead to family problems or difficulty living a healthy work-life balance.

For some people, it's easier to avoid the hassle of setting boundaries and work a job outside the home with set hours and a defined time when they leave the office for the day. This way they can simply go home to a life outside of work. 

Crowded house

Working from home may tend to take over the physical space in a home. If many people are living in the dwelling or are vying for use of the same equipment or space, this can result in conflict. Unless a separate office or other devoted working space is available, this can result in clashes or just plain old disorganization.

Need a change of scenery

Being in one place all the time can get boring for some people. Those who choose to work outside the home often find themselves rejuvenated and happier. These are workers who need outside stimulation and find a strong need to experience a change of scenery between work and home. For some, it is a necessary survival technique; this is especially true if high interaction with other people is desired. Working from home can be difficult for those who enjoy actively working and intermingling with other people.

There are many great reasons to work from home, but for some people often there are just as many reasons not to work from home. What's important is to evaluate all the reasons and then make a thoughtful and educated decision before making the commitment to work in your own house.

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