Why is Everyone Working From Home?

More and more people are discovering the benefits of working from home. It used to be just stay-at-home moms who were looking for opportunities to work at home. Now more companies themselves are recognizing the value of letting their employees work remotely. Since 2005, the U.S. has seen a staggering 79.7% increase in the number of people who telecommute. Currently 3.3 million full-time professionals primarily work out of their home.

What Kind of People Are Successful Working From Home

Almost anyone can make money working out of their home. Professionals are usually the most successful at managing a career at home. It takes someone who is disciplined enough to get their work done without a boss looking over their shoulder. You need to be self-motivated and able to ignore the distractions of your children, pets, television, etc. The average age of the home-based worker is 49 years old.

Advantages to Companies

Companies who let their employees work remotely from their home report that they have reduced turnover in their businesses by 50%. This is because 73% of employees who work out of their home report a much higher level of satisfaction in their jobs. In addition, 2/3 of managers report that employees who switched from the office to working at home actually increased their productivity. This is because the distractions of co-workers in the office are gone. Finally, offices can save money on overhead when more employees are working at home. They need less office space, fewer desks, etc. One study estimated that businesses save an amazing $11,000 annually on each employee they allow to work at home.

When a 2013-2014 snowstorm closed Washington D.C. and federal employees were forced to work from their home for 4 days, the savings to the American taxpayer was staggering – an estimated $32 million.

Financial Benefits to Working From Home

Apart from the pay itself, there are numerous financial benefits to working from home.

Save money on buying a professional wardrobe and dry cleaning expenses.
Save money on commuting to work. You will save gas, wear and tear on your car, and parking fees if you drive. You will also save time and avoid the stress of a busy commute to and from work when the traffic is at it’s peak. Avoiding the commute averages out to 1 extra hour of sleep each night.
Save money on coffee and lunch expenses. In addition, 42% of people who work at home eat much healthier than they did going out for lunch each day when they were working in a office.

Health Benefits of Working From Home

In addition to eating healthier, 82% of people who work out of their home report lower stress levels than they had at the office. Stress breaks down your body and contributes to exhaustion. People who report high levels of stress get sick more often. 69% of people who work out of their home report fewer lost workdays due to illnesses. 45% report that they sleep better since they began working at home.

Happiness Factor

80% of workers who can call their home their primary place of work report higher morale. While the majority of telecommuters report that they work more than 40 hours per week, 45% report that they love their job. Only 24% of employees who commute to their job say they love their job. When you work at home, everyday is bring your son/daughter to work day, and your office is as pet-friendly as you want it to be. People who are happier tend to work harder.

Working at Home Puts You in Control

When you work out of your home, you are able to set your own schedule. You are not locked into the regular 9-5 workday. You can work around doctor appointments, your children’s activities, and your favorite daytime television show. You can work until midnight and sleep until noon. You can work 80 hours per week or 10 hours per week. Many work from home jobs are flexible enough to fit into any lifestyle.

What Are Some Work From Home Jobs

There are many different industries where working from your home is a possibility. Data entry, call centers, or customer service are all opportunities where employees can work from home. Freelance writing, home-based businesses, and jobs with no start-up fees are additional options.

Summary

Working from home offers some great benefits to not only employees but also to the companies that employ them. While working from home has increased in popularity in the recent past, this trend is predicted to continue to increase into the future. Perhaps someday soon the traditional “office worker” will be the exception as the majority of workers telecommute.