Managers can assume that employees who work remotely are not really working. This is because they lose oversight and are not able to see productivity. The problem lies with managers not setting goals and outcomes. In the office environment, the manager sees the worker and witnesses productivity, when in fact they are only seeing presence. The fact is, that when a person works from home, they become more productive, as distractions and stresses are lessened.

Some advantages of working from home are:

Flexibility – does not only relate to timing, although flexible hours is an important factor, the environment is also important; lighting, temperature, mood.

Less distractions – colleagues banter and distractions, not having to attend unimportant meetings.

Being near to home and family – especially important if you have young children.

Less stress – you will not turn up at the office agitated from a stressful commute.

More productivity – removing distractions and stresses from the office will make you more productive.

Better health – by cutting out commuting which can be anywhere from 1 – 3 hours per day, you will have free time to exercise or go to the gym.

All of the above gives you a better work/life balance.

There are of course disadvantages of working form home, but I think the advantages far outweigh these.