The debate over the benefits of working from home versus working in the office are a hot topic in social media. Especially after the Chief Executive of Yahoo, Marisa Mayer, decided to call back her employees who work remotely and to relocate them to company offices. Mayer is concerned that the speed and quality of work is sacrificed when working from home. But her employees felt that the CEO’s decision is wrong and bad for morale. Research suggests they could be right, and that allowing people to work from home can actually raise productivity.

One such study on working from home was conducted at Stanford University and Beijing University in which they found out that most call center workers who work from home took fewer breaks and actually worked more.

According to the report from Census Bureau, there are 13.4 million people who worked at least once in a week at home in 2010, compared to 9.2. million people, or 7% of U.S. workers, in 1997. The big shifters are people who are working on computers, engineering and science.

According to the American Community Survey, the number of these employees working from home or a couple of days from home have jumped to 70% from 2000-2010. Along with the surveys are the positive feedbacks that most companies receive from its remote employees. A 2008 study conducted by Cisco Systems Inc. found out that employees who have given the chance to work from the comfort of their own home have dramatically experienced an increase in their quality of life.

Employers need to create the tools and environment for encouraging home based workers to be productive

Is working from home the wave of the future? Or does it diminish the productivity and the efficiency of remote workers?

A lot of remote workers would say that they are way more efficient at home as long as they meet their clients requirements and able to turn over quality work as expected of them. But I think working from home is not for everyone. For outgoing people the idea of working at home might appeal to them at first, considering the amount of time and money you save from commuting and uniform expenses. But they would probably not get a hold of it in the long run.

Most people who have extroverted personalities will always miss the office banter and company of their colleagues. So, for those who are planning to work from home, weigh first the pros and cons. But for the ones who like to work alone, remote working is the right place for you.

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