Working from home is becoming an increasingly popular option for people who want to have more control over their work schedule and avoid the daily commute. But many people don’t know what working from home actually means. In this blog post, we’ll define WFH and offer tips for how to make the most of this arrangement. Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran WFH-er, we hope you’ll find our advice helpful!

In this article, we’ll discuss:

1. What does WFH mean and how did it come about 

2. The benefits of working from home 

3. How to make the most of working from home 

4. Things to avoid when working from home 

5. WFH Industries on the rise 

6. The future of work and WFH

Man and Woman reviewing accounting while working from home

WFH Meaning

What is the meaning of WFH? WFH is an acronym that stands for “work from home.”

WFH generally applies to white collar and knowledge workers conducting work that is traditionally conducted in an office environment but do this work from their homes, apartments, or vacation properties.

Any work that can be conducted in an office but is conducted from home is technically classified as WFH. For example, a worker who sends emails, checks his or her calendar, logs into their remote work tools, speaks with clients, writes documents, or performs work duties – and does these while at home – can be said to be Working From Home (WFH).

What is the difference between working from home and home working?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it largely depends on individual circumstances. However, in general, working from home refers to the situation where an employee is able to complete their work tasks and responsibilities from the comfort of their own home, without having to commute to an office or workplace. Home working, on the other hand, typically describes a arrangement where an individual works from home on a more permanent basis, often as their primary place of employment.

There are pros and cons to both working from home and home working. Some people find that they are more productive when working from home, as they can create a customised work environment that suits their needs and eliminates distractions. Others may prefer the structure and social interaction that comes with working in an office.

Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide what type of arrangement works best for them. Some people may find that a mixture of both home working and office-based work is the most ideal solution.

Why is it called working from home?

In a nutshell, because you are “working from your home”. Working from home (WFH) has risen in popularity as people sometimes prefer it to working in a traditional office. The term gained popularity in the early 2010s as more and more people began to telecommute and work remotely.

While the term is often used interchangeably with “telecommuting,” there are some key differences. Telecommuting typically refers to workers who occasionally work from home, while WFH refers to those who work from home full-time. WFH can also refer to employees who work from home on a regular basis, but don’t do so full-time.

The rise of WFH can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing availability of high-speed internet, the proliferation of mobile devices, open company culture, and the changing nature of the workforce.

As a result of Covid 19, upwards of 80% of the US white collar workforce now works at home. To help maintain business continuity while working from home, employees and employers have increasingly turned to collaboration tools like Slack, Zoom, Google Docs, and cloud storage.

  • Slack is an instant messaging tool that allows employees to communicate with each other in real-time. It can be used for things like messaging, file sharing, and task management.
  • Zoom is a tool that allows remote workers to video chat with each other in real-time. It can be used for things like conferences, meetings, and networking.
  • Google Docs is a tool that allows employees working remotely to collaborate on documents in real-time. It can be used for things like writing, editing, and publishing.
  • Cloud storage is used to store data in the cloud where multiple team members can share documents. It can be used for things like file sharing and backup.

With the increased demand for employees working in different locations, each company must determine their organizational needs and how they can give employees the right tools for business continuity.

Some important considerations when employees work away from the office are:

  • Work from home policies and procedures
  • Remote work capabilities and infrastructure
  • Flexible work hours
  • Communication and collaboration tools
  • Data security protocols and secure remote access
  • Training staff and managers

Some jobs don’t lend themselves to WFH work. These types of jobs include:

  • production workers in a factory
  • retail clerks
  • waiters and bartenders
  • delivery drivers
Woman on phone and laptop while WFH

What are examples of working from home?

Many types of jobs can be done from home quite easily. Popular working from home ideas include:

  • accounting
  • programming
  • writing
  • design work
  • customer service
  • project management

The benefits of working from home 

There are plenty of benefits that come with working from home. For starters, you don’t have to commute, which can save you time and money. You can also create your own schedule, which can be a great perk if you have kids or other commitments outside of work. And, of course, you can avoid office politics and the water cooler gossip.

Other factors making WFH so popular is because:

  1. You can work in the comforts of your home and earn money from home.
  2. You don’t have to commute to a physical office. This can save you commuting costs (like owning a car).
  3. You can dress more casually.
  4. You can have more flexible working hours.
  5. You can spend more time in the presence of those that you live with. This can be of particular benefit to parents and caregivers.
  6. You can make yourself home cooked meals and rely less on eating out as is the custom for many office workers.

How to make the most of working from home 

If you’re one of the many people who are now working from home, you might be wondering how to make the most of this new situation. Here are a few tips:

  1. Get organized – Working from home can be a challenge if you’re not used to it, so one of the best things you can do is to get organized. This means creating a space in your home that is dedicated to work, and making sure that you have all the supplies and equipment you need.
  1. Set a schedule – Another important thing to do when working from home is to set a schedule. This will help you stay on track and be productive. Make sure to include breaks in your schedule so that you can take a break from work and relax.
  1. Take advantage of technology – There are many different messaging tools and technologies available that can help you be more productive when working out of your house. For example, there are online collaboration tools that can help you stay connected with your team, and there are project management tools that can help you track your progress.
  1. Make time for socializing – Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you have to be a hermit. Make sure to schedule time for socializing, whether it’s meeting up with friends for coffee or joining a social club or activity.
  1. Working from home can be a great experience if you’re prepared and willing to make the most of it. By following these tips, you can set yourself up for success.
Woman bored at laptop when working from home

Things to avoid when working from home 

Working from home can be a great way to increase productivity and focus. However, working from home is not without its challenges. There are a few things you should avoid if you want to make the most of your work-from-home arrangement.

  1. Resist the temptation to work in your PJs or in front of the TV. It may be comfortable, but it will also make it harder to focus and get into the right mindset for working.
  2. Create a dedicated work space that is separate from your leisure areas. This will help you to mentally transition into work mode and avoid distractions.
  3. Stick to a set schedule as much as possible. Having regular hours will help you to structure your day and stay on track with your work. It can be tempting to work around the clock when you’re at home, but this will only lead to burnout.
  4. Avoid using social media or surfing the internet during work hours. These activities can quickly eat up valuable time and make it harder to stay focused.
  5. Finally, take breaks throughout the day and make time for social interaction. Working from home can be isolating, so be sure to schedule regular check-ins with friends or colleagues.

By following these simple tips, you can make the most of your work-from-home arrangement and boost your productivity.

What WFH Means For Industries On The Rise

As WFH has become more popular, a string of industries have arisen to help WFH employees perform better work remotely. These services include:

  1. Ergonomic support to help remote workers setup healthy work spaces. Make sure to look out for promo codes and coupons for ergonomic office supplies and products
  2. Furniture and design companies that assist remote workers (for example by assisting people select the best keyboards or monitors).
  3. Mental health professionals who help remote staff feel connected and mentally healthy. When remote employees work away from others, they often need different support.

The future of work and WFH

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many office workers to transition to working from home. And, while some companies are eager to return to the office, others are rethinking their remote work policies. So, what is the future of working from home?

Working from home has become increasingly popular in recent years, as infrastructure technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected. However, there is some debate about what the future of working from home may hold.

Some believe that more and more people will telecommute on a full-time basis, as companies look for ways to cut costs. Others believe that the rise of artificial intelligence will lead to a decrease in the need for human workers, making working from home obsolete.

It’s impossible to say for sure what the future holds, but one thing is certain: the way we work is changing. And as the nature of work evolves, so too will our approach to working from home.

For many employees, working from home has been a welcome change. No longer do they have to commute to a different location every day, freeing up time and energy that can be better spent on work (and leisure).

What’s more, working remotely can actually increase productivity, as people are less likely to be interrupted by colleagues or distractions. This makes them work more efficiently. As a result, it’s not surprising that a recent survey found that nearly 60% of employees would like to continue working from home at least some of the time after the pandemic ends.

If you want to WFH successfully you need to think holistically about a few different variables. These variables include what types of jobs are available for WFH, your skillset, your career plans, and where and how you plan to work.

Does working from home mean you can work from anywhere?

No, working from home does not mean you can work from anywhere. Working from home typically means having a designated space in your home that is separate from the rest of your living space, and using that space to conduct all or most of your work.

This can be a dedicated room, like an office, or simply a corner of a room that you can set up to be your work space. It’s important to have a designated work space because it helps you to stay focused and motivated while you’re working, and it also makes it easier to “turn off” work when you’re finished for the day.