11 Undeniable Reasons to Work From Home

Do you feel exhausted by the daily long commutes, office drama, and fixed schedules? What if your job allowed you to save time, lower expenses, and lessen stress, while also increasing your productivity and happiness?

Well, this isn't just wishful thinking! It can be your reality if you can approach your office with the top reasons to work from home.

So, here’s what I’ll cover —

• Reasons to work from home and improve productivity
• 6 last-minute reasons to work from home
• 4 medical reasons to work from home

Let’s get started!

11 Reasons to Work From Home and Improve Productivity

Working from home (WFH) has become increasingly popular. Here are some compelling reasons why opting to work from your personal space can be advantageous.

1. Save Time

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute finds that each year many American drivers waste about 54 hours sitting in traffic. That's a huge amount of time that could instead go to hanging out with family, exercising, or engaging in hobbies.

But working from home changes the game. It lets you skip the commute, finish tasks sooner, and give yourself extra time.

Also, the hours I used to spend driving to and from work can now be used for something more enjoyable. This benefit alone makes a strong case for valid reasons to work from home.

2. Save Money

Working from home could net you an annual savings of up to $12,000. Here's how —

• Transportation: You spend significantly less on gas, public transit tickets, tolls, parking, and even car maintenance.
• Clothing: You’ll wear more casual clothes that are generally cheaper, and have practically stopped using dry-cleaning services.
• Food: Making lunch and coffee at home saves money compared to eating out or buying take-away, and it’s usually a healthier option as well.

3. Flexible Work Schedule

I've noticed that I'm most productive when I can set flex schedules. In fact,  I lack productivity when I adhere to the standard 9 AM to 5 PM workday.

If this sounds similar to you, you should notify your employer. Let him know that you believe working from home with a flexible schedule will make you happier and more productive.

It could be one of the best reasons to work from home permanently. However, it’ll only work when you can SHOW results.

Related Reading: Pros & Cons of Working from Home

4. Improve Work-Life Balance

Many companies offer excellent vacation policies. However, taking time off can still be a complex decision!

Remote working, however, allows you to achieve a much healthier balance between your professional and personal life. Plus, it significantly reduces over-scheduling conflict.

In this context, you can give an example to your boss. Let's say you need to leave for a dentist appointment at midday.

You can simply set the status to 'away' online, take care of your appointment, and then make up the time by working later.

5. Increase Productivity

I find that working from home increases my productivity. Besides, stress often lowers productivity. in traditional office settings. However, at home, you’re less stressed and more efficient.

When the pandemic hit, research revealed that working remotely, without daily travel, improved productivity for a lot of people. It allows you to focus energy on work rather than travel.

Further Read: How to Be Productive at Home

6. Reduce Stress

Home-based work lowers stress. It removes the daily office rush of managing workloads. So, you don’t need to stress about late meetings or hurried kid pickups to make life calmer.

In fact, research supports this , showing that remote workers report lower stress levels, both psychological and physical, even amid a global crisis. It suggests that remote work can create a more relaxed and healthier environment.

Further Read: Workload Management: How Can You Master It?

7. Managing Childcare Expenses

Childcare expenses have significantly increased, now costing up to $17,000 annually. To ease this financial burden, some companies offer daycare services or subsidies.

Others allow flexible arrangements like working from home.

Well, juggling work and childcare is a common concern for parents. The good news is that many parents manage it well.

So, discuss the possibility of working from home. It could help you keep up your current work quality, or maybe even do better.

8. Increase Engagement in the Community

Despite a high interest in volunteering, the vast majority of us, around 90%, want to engage, and only 25% manage to do so. And primarily, it’s due to limited free time.

Remote work, as evidenced during the pandemic, can solve this barrier. For example, early in 2020, LinkedIn saw a surge in volunteer activities added to user profiles. Over 110,000 volunteer experiences were being added monthly by people working remotely.

Share this data with your lead. The extra time lets employees engage more with their communities and focus on personal well-being.

9. Lower Carbon Footprint

In the US, transportation is the main cause of greenhouse gases. Here, remote work can significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions by reducing daily commuting.

If 3.9 million people worked from home some of the time, it’d be like taking 600,000 cars off the streets. That’s huge!

Plus, home offices use less energy. Unlike a big office building, you only heat or cool the area you're using.

10. Minimize Office Politics and Drama

Working from home isn't a magic fix. However, it offers a break from the distractions of office politics and drama.

Your boss should know that a lot of people are reluctant to go back reluctant to go back to a workplace where gossip and power trips are prevalent.

Well, remote work won't magically fix every issue at work. However, it gives you some separation from those problems.

From home, you can pick and choose the interactions that matter most. Plus, you can build relationships with colleagues who share your interests. And you can play a real part in building the company's culture.

11. Increase Happiness

One of the best reasons to work from home is the significant increase in job satisfaction. Naturally, it improves your overall happiness.

Remote work gets rid of stressful commutes and gives people more control over their work. When you feel good about your work, it helps you in other parts of your life too.

Ultimately, it leads to a better life at work and home.

6 Urgent Reasons to Work From Home Last Minute

Sometimes, unexpected events demand flexibility. Here are six last-minute reasons why working from home can be both necessary and beneficial.

1. Household Emergency

Last night, there was a small electrical fire in your home office. It damaged a few outlets and the lights in my workspace.

Today, an electrician will check and fix the issues to ensure everything is safe and working properly. While they do this, you’ll be working from a different area of my house.

However, you need to ensure that this change won’t stop you from staying on top of my tasks.

2. Urgent Dental Treatment

Over 15 million root canals are done annually in the United States, says the American Association of Endodontists. And you’re one of them.

You had a root canal this past Monday, and today you’re dealing with intense pain in my mouth. Now, your dentist has an opening today, but it’s during your regular work hours.

To save time and avoid the commute, you’d like to work remotely today. By doing this, you can handle your dental needs and still manage your responsibilities.

3. Injury

You hurt your ankle while playing a soccer match at your company event last night, and now it’s hard for you to walk or drive. Because of this, you need to work from home for a few days to make things easier.

Even though your ankle is sore, you can still use your computer and get your work done without any issues. The only challenge right now is traveling to the office.

4. Family Death

What could be the best or worst reasons to work from home today than a family death? Tell your manager that you want to share some personal news.

For example, your brother passed away this morning after fighting cancer. It’s been really hard, and you must be with my family.

That said, you have to finish the monthly report by tomorrow. If that’s okay with you, you’d like to work from home today. It might also help you stay focused while being there for your family.

So, ask your boss whether it’d be alright if I worked remotely just for today.

5. Bad Weather

Last night, a heavy ice storm swept through our area. It coated the roads with black ice and snow, making them extremely slippery. Given how unsafe it is to drive right now, do you think it’s best to stay off the roads today?

That’s why you plan to work from home: to keep yourself safe while still completing your tasks.

4 Medical Reasons to Work From Home

Here are several practical and convincing medical reasons why working from home has become more than just a trend —

1. Pregnancy

You’re in your third trimester, and traveling to the office is challenging. While most workplaces provide maternity leave, you still have projects to finish.

In this situation, let your office know you’d prefer to work remotely until your delivery. Check with them to see if this arrangement is alright.

2. Food Poisoning

Often we eat something that doesn’t suit us or even make us sick. In fact, Every year, foodborne illnesses affect roughly 48 million Americans, according to the CDC. It means about 1 in 6 people get sick.

Moreover, you might have conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or gluten intolerance. In such cases, it’s understandable if you work remotely.

3. Dental Emergency

I’m experiencing severe pain following a root canal I had on Monday. My dentist has an opening today, but it's during our usual business hours. To avoid spending half the day commuting, I propose working from home.

This way, I can attend my appointment and still dedicate substantial time to our projects.

4. Migraines

If you’ve ever woken up with a bad headache, you’re not the only one. Around 12% of adults experience migraines, according to the NIH. I know how it feels because I also deal with severe migraines.

If your boss has ever had one, they’ll probably understand what you’re going through.

Final Words

From saving time and money to increasing productivity and well-being, the reasons to work from home are compelling. I've found that a flexible schedule increases productivity and allows a better balance of professional and personal commitments.

Looking ahead, more people are likely to work remotely. Companies and their employees are seeing the advantages.

For anyone aiming to manage remote work efficiently, consider using Apploye. Its Pomodoro app can help you focus and increase productivity.

So, it could be a valuable asset in managing your work-from-home arrangements effectively.

FAQs

How do you ask for work from home due to personal reasons?

To request working from home for personal reasons, clearly state your situation while maintaining privacy. Mention if it’s due to health, family commitments, or personal matters, and assure your ability to meet work deadlines remotely.

How do you politely ask for work from home if you’re a child’s mother?

Politely express the need to ensure your child’s care during work hours. Highlight your commitment to maintaining productivity and availability via phone or email while at home.

When should you ask to work from home?

You can ask about remote work options once you've shown your worth and commitment to the company. The best opportunities to do this are towards the end of the interview process or in a follow-up discussion.