There is no denying that there are many benefits that are associated with working from home. Not only does this enable you to work in a comfortable environment and have more flexible working hours, but it can be great for parents especially, as they do not need to spend as much on childcare. It also means you don’t have to spend your life commuting and dealing with the costs that come with this. Nevertheless, working from home can be very different when compared with working in an office, and so you need to avoid some of the most common blunders mentioned below…
Working in your pyjamas – There is only one place to begin, and this is with working in your pyjamas! A lot of people assume that this is the main perk associated with working from home. However, if you wear your pyjamas, you will go into lazy mode, and this will make it difficult for you to work as efficiently as possible.
Failing to secure your computer – Cyber security is something that all businesses need to be concerned with. This includes businesses that are operated from home. It doesn’t matter whether you have a big business or you are a one-man band, all companies are a target when it comes to hackers. They will view you as an easy payday. So, make sure you take cyber security seriously and that you put the methods in place to protect yourself from a data breach.
Poor communication – It can be more difficult to communicate with clients when you are home-based. However, it does not need to be this way. There are so many communication options available to you, from video chats to email. Make sure you use the right communication platform based on the information that needs to be conveyed or the discussion that needs to be had.
Handling tax incorrectly – Your tax obligations are likely to be slightly different when working from home. This is especially the case if you have a number of different clients – your tax setup may differ based on who you are working for and what they are employing you as – i.e. whether you are considered a freelancer or contractor. It’s important to get your tax obligations right. You also need to look into what happens if you get it wrong. What is a Director’s Penalty Notice? What happens if you are served with one? What are some of the common mistakes that are made when filing tax as a work from home professional? Read up on subjects like this so you can make sure you have the education that is required.
As you can see, working from home is not without its challenges. However, if you prepare for these challenges, you can ensure everything runs smoothly and that your home business is as profitable and efficient as possible. If you are currently making any of the mistakes mentioned, rectify them as soon as you can, and you are bound to notice a difference.
Image: bruce mars