WASHINGTON — More of us want to work from home, but there are downsides to doing it.
A survey by staffing firm Robert Half says 78 percent of D.C.-area workers would be more likely to accept a job if it offered the ability to work from home at least some of the time. But an identical number, 78 percent, also admit there are downsides to telecommuting.
At the top of the list is taking unfair advantage of the work-from-home option.
“People do abuse the hours, so if their co-workers are trying to get in contact with them at a certain time, they are not even available to interact with their co-workers,” Robert Half’s Trey Barnett told WTOP.
Another downside of teleworking? Out of sight, out of mind.
“Interpersonal relationships suffer by only talking to people by phone or by email. And then also loss of face time means telecommuting workers just won’t be considered for promotions or any special projects,” Barnett said.
Some people who thought teleworking was great when they started say they now suffer feelings of isolation.
Robert Half says of all age groups, workers aged 18 to 34 find telecommuting most appealing.
There are obvious advantages to working from home.
Aside from the buzz phrases “work-life balance” and “flex time,” a recent survey by D.C.-based B2B research firm Clutch ranked fewer distractions, no commuting and …wearing whatever clothes you want…as top reasons for wanting to work outside of the office.
