The Benefits of Home Working
Within my role at Lexxic, I have noticed that many employers and line managers appear overly concerned over seeing their employees working from their desk. Working from home days can be considered as ‘time off work’, a recent client of mine advised.
But there are definite advantages to working from home. So, what are they?
Productivity
Nowadays, open plan offices are very popular as they offer more opportunities for communication and collaboration among employees. However, they can also be a source of background noise. Working with auditory and visual distractions are two of the most common difficulties people with a neurodiverse condition experience. Working from home 1-2 times per week can minimise these distractions and help people be more productive.
Time
Let’s talk about commute. The average commuting time in London is 1 hour and 21 minutes each day (TUC 2018) and there are certainly employees who travel for much longer. If we do the maths, it is easy to realise that this is too much time spent on commuting. Imagine if this time was spent productively working!
It is also worth considering how commuting affects employees with a neurodiverse condition, such as Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). Individuals with ASC can experience sensory overload from their environment. Giving them the opportunity to work from home a couple of times per week will not only save them time, but will also allow them to work in an environment they can control and that is comfortable for them.
Health
Working from home can encourage employees to develop healthier habits. From eating healthier to taking time during their lunch break to exercise. This can increase productivity and refresh the mind. Moreover, getting the chance to spend more time with family instead of commuting can reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing.
Home working therefore has the potential to benefit employees and their organisations alike, through an increase in wellbeing, productivity and efficiency.
We’d love to hear your thoughts about working from home. Would you consider encouraging your employees to work from home more frequently?
By Penelope Kopala, Assistant Psychologist at Lexxic