7 Challenges of Working from Home and How to Overcome Them

Table of Contents

1. 7 challenges & solutions of working from home
2. Work from home is the new normal

Working from home is on the rise. In fact, 70% of knowledge workers say that they’re happy with the amount of time that they work from home, as it offers them flexibility.

The trend of working from home has risen tremendously in the United States – from 3.4% before the pandemic to 42% working from home full-time mid-pandemic.

No matter how hard your employees work, there are bound to be some obstacles and challenges of working from home as shown by a study from Buffer. For 20% of the employees, collaborating remotely is the biggest obstacle, while another 20% see loneliness as the biggest problem. 18% find it hard to make a clear distinction between working and personal time.

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7 Challenges of Working from Home (and How to Solve Them)

Challenge #1 Distractions in the Home Office

When people hear "working remotely" they immediately think of "home office". 80% of remote employees work from home, while only 7% use co-working spaces and 3% use coffee shops. When employees work from home, distractions make it all too easy to get sidetracked. Household chores and family obligations have the biggest potential to take away employees' focus, while other people are tempted by social media apps. Phones and other devices might be essential tools for work, but they can also cause some serious distractions. These distractions result in higher levels of stress and decreased productivity.

Solution 1: Designate a workspace

A designated work area is extremely important to avoid home office distractions. Setting up a home office is a process, and we’re here to break it down for you:

• Organize a dedicated desk in a quiet area in the house.
• Clean up and organize your computer.
• Bring items from the office to help create an environment that resembles your usual working spot.
• Don’t use your home office when you aren’t working.

Solution 2: Invest in home office inventory

Provide employees with the tools they need for a fully equipped home office setting. Help ensure they have ergonomic furniture and receive support for any internet expenses.

Challenge #2 Overworking

Employees may find it difficult to separate work and personal tasks, leading to overwork.

Solution: Encourage a healthy work-life balance

Encourage employees to take vacation time and provide reminders to set working hours on their calendars.

Challenge #3 Loneliness and Lack of Interaction

Loneliness can be a significant issue when working from home long-term.

Solution: Provide a way for employees to socialize

Consider implementing a social intranet for employees to connect and build camaraderie. Encourage virtual conferences and celebrations of important events.

Challenge #4 Team Collaboration and Communication Issues

Effective collaboration is essential but can be challenging.

Solution: Provide cloud-based collaboration tools

Utilize platforms like Google Workspace that facilitate team collaboration while working remotely. Establish clear communication channels as well.

Challenge #5 Lack of Motivation During Work

It’s normal to feel unmotivated sometimes.

Solution: Start the day on a positive note

Encourage morning routines that promote positivity and motivation, including breaks and gamification of tasks.

Challenge #6 Inefficient Time Management

Time tracking is vital, as poor time management can lead to problems.

Solution: Implement Google Calendar

Utilize tools that help allocate specific working hours and manage time effectively.

Challenge #7 Keeping a Healthy Lifestyle

Sedentary lifestyles from working at home can lead to health problems.

Solution: Support healthy eating

Encourage healthy eating habits and facilitate activities that promote physical health among employees.

Working from Home is the New Normal

By investing time and resources to overcome challenges, remote working can become an enjoyable and preferred alternative.