The Downsides of Working From Home: How to Overcome the Drawbacks

With the recent switch from full weeks in the office to working remotely, many remote workers have reveled in their ability to stay home, skip the commute, and create their own schedules with remote work. And while this can help some save money and live a more flexible lifestyle, others have come to find that there are made disadvantages of work from home.

Work from home has been great for many, but certainly not all. From creating a better work-life balance to allowing for more face-to-face interaction, opting for coworking spaces can make a world of difference for some employees.

As we look ahead to the future of the office environment, we are breaking down the disadvantages of working from home when deciding whether or not to commit to a new office.

Working from home has exploded in popularity over the past few years. While remote work certainly has some great perks it also comes with some distinct disadvantages. Being aware of the potential downsides and taking steps to mitigate them is key to success when working from home.

Top Disadvantages of Working Remotely

Here are some of the most common pitfalls faced by remote employees

Increased isolation – Lack of face-to-face interaction with co-workers can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
Home office costs – Remote workers often must fund their own office equipment/furnishings and maintain a dedicated workspace.
Risk of overworking – Without set office hours or colleagues leaving at day’s end, it’s easy to work too much.
Risk to productivity – More distractions and constant at-home demands can hinder focusing on work
Distractions at home – Children, pets, chores, and entertainment can readily disrupt work.
Workplace disconnect – Out of sight can mean out of mind, limiting access to resources and opportunities.
Disproportionate work-life balance – Work can bleed into personal time without separation between the two.
Less face time – Lack of daily in-person contact makes it easier to be overlooked for promotions.

Clearly, working from home has some potential drawbacks. But with deliberate effort, these can be substantially minimized or overcome entirely.

Tips to Combat Isolation

Schedule regular check-ins and virtual social time with co-workers.
Join online communities related to your work or interests.
Attend in-person networking events when possible.
Cowork at shared office spaces a couple days a week.
Meet up with other remote workers in your area.
FaceTime or video chat instead of just calling colleagues.
Share photos or quick personal updates with teammates.
Plan occasional in-person team get-togethers.

Make Your Home Office Functional

Find a dedicated space just for work if possible.
Invest in key equipment like a quality chair, desk, laptop stand, etc.
Add lighting, storage, and organizational tools as needed.
Minimize distractions in your workspace.
Consider coworking space memberships for more amenities.
Take advantage of tax deductions for home office expenses.
Ask your employer about allowances or reimbursements.

Set Boundaries to Avoid Overwork

Maintain a set schedule and stick to working hours.
Build in breaks throughout the day and take a real lunch.
Shut down work devices after hours and on weekends.
Learn when to say no to additional tasks.
Use time tracking tools to monitor hours worked.
Block off chunks of non-work time on your calendar.
Give family members indicators when you are not to be disturbed.

Maximize Productivity

Establish and follow daily rituals just like you would at an office.
Avoid distractions by silencing phone, closing extra tabs, shutting office door, etc.
Use music, white noise, or ambient sounds to stay focused.
Designate certain household members to handle chores/kid duties during work time.
Utilize productivity techniques like time blocking, Pomodoro, priorities lists, etc.
Experiment to find what works for you, then refine and stick to your routine.

Stay Engaged with Your Team

Ask about and participate in virtual team events like coffee chats or happy hours.
Join and actively contribute to workplace chat channels/forums.
Schedule one-on-ones with colleagues at various levels to build connections.
Proactively communicate about projects and don’t hesitate to speak up in virtual meetings.
Request feedback from your manager and team members.
Travel to the office quarterly or as needed to reinforce engagement.

Achieve Better Work-Life Balance

Define set core working hours but remain flexible when possible.
Limit after hours availability to true emergencies.
Leverage flexibility to handle personal obligations as needed.
Take intermittent breaks for quick chores to maintain household.
Segment work from personal time by changing locations.
Prioritize and schedule time for exercise, hobbies, family, etc.
Practice saying no and setting healthy boundaries.
Unplug completely during vacations.

Increase Visibility Despite Less Face Time

Send weekly status updates to your manager.
Ask for opportunities to take the lead on presentations/projects.
Request 1:1 meetings with leadership to discuss career growth.
Proactively share accomplishments and ideas.
Attend optional company events to get to know executives.
Come into the office periodically for face-to-face time.
Network internally and externally to expand visibility.
Measure and share data on your productivity.

Additional WFH productivity tips

Here are some more techniques to reduce distractions and stay focused when working from home:

Play background sounds: Turn on white noise, nature sounds, or ambient music to drown out disruptions.
Multi-task with batching: Group similar tasks together to minimize having to switch gears.
Create a daily checklist: Note must-do items and tick them off as you go to stay on track.
Take breaks often: Short breaks help recharge mental focus. Get up and move around.
Minimize notifications: Disable app alerts and email pop-ups so you control check frequency.
Use multiple devices: Dedicate work to laptop and personal tasks to a separate tablet or phone.
Direct household traffic: Use signs on office door when not to be disturbed.
Set expectations: Communicate your schedule and requirements with family members.
Reward yourself: Build in small treats for chunks completed, like enjoying a coffee or taking a walk outside.

Physically Going to the Office

Despite the flexibility of remote work, time in the office still provides value:

Attending key meetings, training sessions, and events
Participating in brainstorms and collaborative efforts
Building camaraderie through face-to-face interactions
Gaining exposure to leadership through organic encounters
Utilizing specialized equipment/technology
-Handling tasks better suited for the office setting
Staying visible to avoid “out of sight, out of mind”

Aim to physically go into the workplace about 1-2 days per week if possible. This balances remote flexibility with on-site engagement.

Is Remote Work Right for You?

Working from home holds great appeal but also comes with challenges. Assess your needs and personality to decide if it’s a good fit:

It may work well if you:

Are self-motivated and disciplined
Have minimal distractions at home
Don’t need much daily collaboration
Enjoy autonomy and flexibility
Can create structure and boundaries

It may not work well if you:

Crave in-person social interaction
Have limited self-control
Need hands-on management
Thrive on workplace energy and urgency
Lack self-imposed structure
Feel isolated or disconnected easily

Analyze your unique needs and environment to determine if overcoming the disadvantages of remote work feels feasible. Don’t be afraid to try it out and make adjustments until you find your optimal situation.

disadvantages of working from home

Lack of Focus on Work

Another disadvantage of working from home is the lack of focus that comes with the home environment. For many workers, it can be easy to lose motivation during the normal 9 to 5, but when youre working from home, you can quickly redirect this unmotivated mindset to less productive activities.

Remote work often means remote employees experience home life distractions, with household chores to be done, roommates and partners present, and sometimes children running around. Unlike the office, remote workers dont get a chance to step away from their home life, allowing for those outside distractions to get in the way.

On the other hand, an office environment can allow workers to work in one common space, all with the same goal and mindset to bounce off of each other to create a more motivated, productive environment.

Decrease in Corporate Culture

One of the most significant advantages of offering an office space during normal business hours is that it fosters company culture in a way that remote work cannot. This is one of the key cons of working from home, as interacting through just a computer screen doesnt allow for ample engagement and expression in the way in-person work can.

11 DISADVANTAGES of Working From Home

Is working from home a disadvantage?

You can’t swing by the break room and grab a doughnut or hit the company gym if you’re working from home. This may be more of a disadvantage for workers in industries such as tech, with impressive on-site offerings like game rooms and chef-made food among their company benefits.

What are the pros and cons of working from home?

Here’s some of the most common pros and cons of working from home: If you’re looking for a job that allows telecommuting, there are several benefits to consider: Working from home can provide autonomy and independence in your job that might be absent in a physical workplace.

What are the pros and cons of remote work?

Employees are treated like the whole people they are: with families, hobbies, and lives outside of work. We work remotely and promote a work-life blend for us and the people we love. A look at the pros of remote work, like more flexibility and accessibility, but also the cons—and how you can mitigate them.

What are the benefits of working from home?

Working from home can provide autonomy and independence in your job that might be absent in a physical workplace. Many remote roles require self-discipline and motivation enough to manage time responsibly and complete job tasks. Some benefits of working independently can include: Work-from-home jobs mean you can eliminate your commute.