Telecommuting Disadvantages
If you have always dreamed of working at home, chances are the thought of avoiding the hassles of commuting and saving money on a business wardrobe are very appealing to you. Though working at home has certain advantages, all types of jobs have their downsides -- and work-at-home jobs are no exception. Before you give up your typical 9 to 5 schedule to cozy into that home office, it's a good idea to consider some of the disadvantages of telecommuting.
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Decreased Productivity
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You must be very disciplined to succeed in a work-at-home position. For some people this comes naturally but for others the freedom to stray from their responsibilities becomes an irresistible temptation. With no direct supervisor on-site or coworkers looking over your shoulder, slipping into a "comfort zone" when telecommuting can sometimes get in the way of your productivity. If you are easily distracted or prone to slacking off, telecommuting may be a difficult career move for you.
Lack of Workplace Companions
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One of the perks of working in a traditional environment that many employees appreciate is developing friendships -- personal and professional -- with coworkers. When telecommuting you miss out on a lot of the interpersonal human contact like chatting around the water cooler, going out for cigarette breaks or lunch with coworkers or participating in company events. If you enjoy a hands-on teamwork atmosphere in the workplace, telecommuting you may leave you feeling isolated and alone.
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Technical Difficulties
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One of the greatest disadvantages of telecommunications jobs is your vulnerability to technical difficulties. In most cases telecommuting requires a considerable amount of emailing, video chats, telephone calls and faxing, among other methods of electronic remote networking. When power outages occur, remote computers crash or telephone lines are down, home-based workers are rendered virtually helpless. If unexpected technical issues arise while in the midst of completing assignments you're prone to losing unsaved work, which can lead to loss of wages and profits.
Time Zone Differences
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If you're telecommuting for work and working with employers, clients or business associates across the country it's sometimes difficult to coordinate working schedules. When planning conference calls and online meetings with numerous people in multiple time zones it's common to run into confusion. This is particularly so when working with international companies overseas where employees are sleeping during your business hours and vice versa. You may have to adjust to late night or early morning business calls and procedures if you telecommute internationally.
Legal Vulnerability
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As of 2010 there really aren't any clearly drawn guidelines regarding employer insurance liability for employees working at home. Typically employers are not legally liable for injuries incurred by telecommuters injured on the job or damages to equipment in home offices. However, depending on the type of work, certain exceptions may apply if hazardous materials, equipment or work practices are required for the position. In these extraordinary instances, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will inspect the home office if a complaint has been filed reporting safety hazards, injury or fatality while on the job. In such cases the employer may be deemed responsible.
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