5 Signs You'd Hate Working From Home

Is making the switch from working at an office to working from home just swapping out one list of cons in exchange for another?

By Taylor Dupuy, Monster contributor

As more companies and employees opt for telecommuting, the question is no longer about whether or not telecommuting is a viable work option, but rather, is it a good fit for each individual?

Some signs point to no. Here are 5 signs you’d hate working from home.

You Have Work FOMO

The fear of missing out, also known as FOMO, is very real, and can arise when you're physically separated from your workplace and co-workers. Feeling out of the loop can also affect your quality of work and chip away at your motivation and engagement.

“What's going on at the company? You have no idea. You're at home,” says Jean Marie Davis, marketer for a telecommunications company that provides equipment for telecommuters. “If you're uncomfortable with the idea that the company is moving without you, then telecommuting may not be best.”

You Crave Social Interaction

Working from home often means working alone, and if you thrive in social settings, it could do more to inhibit your work than to help it.

“When someone thrives on interactions with other people, switching to a work environment where there isn't anyone to talk to can be incredibly difficult,” says Thursday Bram, a freelance business writer. “The folks who need regular breaks at the water cooler or in the kitchen, where they can specifically talk to other people, tend to have a harder adjustment to working from home.”

You're Easily Distracted

Working from home comes with its luxuries, but those same luxuries can turn into work distractions.

“The office is the office and it's clear what needs to get done: work,” says Davis. “If you're at home, that line can be blurred and distractions can creep in in the form of dog walks, personal phone calls, daytime deliveries and children. If you're working from home, make sure that you designate a specific space for the office.”

You’re Not a Self-Starter

Working from home means you need to be able to assess your tasks and deadlines and determine the next appropriate steps to take without someone one telling you what and when to do it.

“Working from home is not for those who can’t quickly and correctly answer the question, ‘what’s the most important thing I need to be working on, given the priorities right now,’” says Scott Reyns, a voice actor who works from his home studio.

You Lack Work-Life Boundaries

Without the structure of set work hours, it can be easy to get swept up in your work, blurring the lines between work and life.

“When you work from an office it's clear when the day is over. When working from home, you're 100% responsible for maintaining your calendar and time ‘at work,’” says Davis. “Overworking is actually a bigger problem than under-performing so it's important to set timers, and clock your hours diligently.”

Still interested in working from home? Find work from home jobs.