Back in the day, online jobs were hard to find and next to impossible to earn a living from. Today, however, more companies are offering the opportunity to work from home online. But, is it actually better?
Costs
When an employee works out of their home, they have several costs they incur, such as fuel to get to work, the cost of work-approved clothing and even the cost of eating out while at work. Employers too have costs associated with having employees work in-house. These costs can include overhead items such as utilities and rent, the cost of computer systems, phone lines and even restroom facilities. By having employees work from home, these costs are virtually removed. Employees that work from home online are required to purchase and provide their own computer phone and office equipment. Since employees who work from home are typically considered “freelance”, the employer does not have to pay insurance or even payroll tax for using these employees.
Less or More Procrastination?
One of the biggest debates about work from home jobs is whether an employee is more productive at home or at the office. At the office there is the distraction of socializing — the classic image of employees talking around the water cooler — which would lower overall productivity. At home, however, there are just as many distractions. Employees have ready access to the comforts of home, which may prevent them from being “productive” in an area that is meant for relaxation.
What it Takes to Work from Home
While working from home saves money, a lot of companies offer online jobs as well as in-house jobs for one reason: personality. Not all employees have the self-motivation and drive to monitor their own work and ensure they get their job done from home. Working from home requires dedication and strict planning — something not every worker has.
As time goes on, however, it is becoming more apparent that online jobs are becoming increasingly popular with both employers and employees, which means the employment world may be in for a drastic change in the future.
[Image via techdigest]