Do you ever look at yourself and ask what type of working style you prefer? Since the pandemic started, you have experienced working at home. Does it suit your needs? Or do you have that certain preference on one over the other or both?

Let us be honest for a second here. You are still working the same hours, staring at a computer screen, sitting for extended periods, and performing the same tasks. There has not been much of a change. You are still the same salaried employee who is paid by your employer. 

You still have to get through your daily to-do list before the day is done. What is the only difference? The location of the office. Some employees have expressed relief that they will be able to work from home because they will be able to do more without being confined to an office setting. Are you that employee? Or maybe you are not a fan of constant distractions at home, so you want to go back to the office?

There are bound to be certain preferences no matter where you come from. It is quite acceptable to choose one over the other. It all depends on how it impacts your professional and personal life. Let's dig further into the debate to find who is right. Continue reading to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of the two employment scenarios.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of WFH and WFO

What are the benefits and drawbacks of working from home as opposed to working in an office? Join us in comparing them and we will see what each has to offer in terms of advantages and disadvantages. 

Given the current circumstances, some people will be affected by working from home, while others may find it to be a respite. Several companies have altered their resources and initiatives for remote teams for the first time as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. For both employees and employers, this is a huge shift. Regardless, it is critical to learn more about what a professional like you might face or miss.

Now that we got your full attention, continue reading so that you can be enlightened about the upsides and downsides of the two issues at hand. 

Working Conditions

Working in an office usually entails a lot of responsibilities. It may even appear to be a market, with several vendors presenting their wares. In this situation, your only option is to use your headphones to block out the outside sounds. It's also difficult to concentrate on other people who are generating a commotion.

The correct work environment promotes efficiency, whilst the improper one can have the opposite effect. While at work, employees have little say in their work environment or office setting.

One can personalize their office at home to match their specific demands and tastes. Having a large family, particularly one with children, can, on the other hand, be as distracting. You won't be able to do anything about your neighbor's habit of blasting loudspeakers. These not only interfere with concentration, but they can also be annoying during essential phone conversations or video conferences.

Adaptability

Working from home gives you more control over your schedule. Yes, you still have a 9 to 5 job schedule, but you have extra time in between those hours to accomplish whatever you want. You'll have more time to cook, clean, dine, work on other projects, care for your family, and take more breaks!

When you work in an office, your coworkers can see you and monitor your every move, including your break periods. Working in an office also necessitates sticking to a rigorous schedule. The terrible alarm clock will chime at the same time every day, and even if one is late, they will go to great measures to get to their desks before anybody else notices.

Process of Communication and Information Dissemination

You have the opportunity to converse and interact with your coworkers after you return to the office. Miscommunications and misunderstandings are less likely to occur. You can notice verbal and nonverbal gestures without automatically associating them with rudeness or arrogance. Working on-site provides this advantage over working from home.

According to research, face-to-face communication is still the most preferred way of communication among employees. This, however, does not include video conferencing. This is something that can only be observed in a professional setting. Humans are social animals who enjoy lively talks as well as business planning.

Communication is always feasible when working remotely; it's just different. Face-to-face contact is being phased out in favor of video calls. 

Work Attire 

You are looking for a comfy yet stylish outfit to wear to work because you work in an office. If you don't have time to schedule a washing day, dirty laundry piles up quickly and you run out of items to wear.

Going to work and deciding what to wear is critical for your professional image and job needs. You must adhere to a dress code and appear presentable. You are expected to dress correctly for your job, industry, or location. Wearing ripped jeans and baggy t-shirts to work in a sophisticated business office is not a good idea. Typically, the workplace sets the tone, and you are expected to dress professionally.

Takeaways

As an employee, you just aim to be the best that you can be. Your objective is to do what is asked of you and deliver as expected. The location of work may or may not matter for you. With this article, we hope that somehow we have shed the light on these two issues. As you have experienced the two different work scenarios, you have certainly developed an inkling of one of the two. You either lean towards working from home or at the office. It is quite acceptable to prefer one over the other. It relies entirely on how it affects your career and personal life.