Working from home
Many employers give their workforce the option to be based at home. A A connection to the internet that uses a special code (encoding) so that no one else can see what data is being transferred. provides access to the company’s network, shared files, email and printers.
Employees can use the company’s email system to keep in touch with the office. There are also a number of other ways of communicating. They can:
- divert their office phone to their mobile phone or A mobile phone with a powerful processor that is capable of running applications and accessing the internet.
- browse the intranet to keep up to date with company developments
- take part in meetings using Communicating with someone in real time using video and audio.
There are advantages and disadvantages to working from home for both the employer and employee.
Advantages and disadvantages for the employee
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| No travel costs or time wasted travelling to and from work | It can be lonely working from home and they may not feel part of a team |
| Working in the comfort of their own home | There are arguably more distractions at home than in the office |
| Option to work for a company hundreds or even thousands of miles away | It may prove difficult to separate work from home life |
| Able to spend more time with their family |
| Advantages | No travel costs or time wasted travelling to and from work |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | It can be lonely working from home and they may not feel part of a team |
| Advantages | Working in the comfort of their own home |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | There are arguably more distractions at home than in the office |
| Advantages | Option to work for a company hundreds or even thousands of miles away |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | It may prove difficult to separate work from home life |
| Advantages | Able to spend more time with their family |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages |
Advantages and disadvantages for the employer
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| No need to provide employee with a desk or computer if they choose to use their own | Harder to check what employee is up to |
| Employee may be happier working from home and do more work as a result | Employee may not feel part of a team and might end up doing less work |
| Advantages | No need to provide employee with a desk or computer if they choose to use their own |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | Harder to check what employee is up to |
| Advantages | Employee may be happier working from home and do more work as a result |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | Employee may not feel part of a team and might end up doing less work |