Being able to work from home may sound alluring at first, but U of T sociologist William Michelson says it has a downside you may not have considered. People whose employers allow them to work from home may be more productive but they work longer hours and have fewer relationships outside their close family, says Michelson of the Department of Sociology and Centre for Urban and Community Studies . The home-based employee spends less time pursuing leisure activities and far more time alone than office employees, Michelson found. His data suggests this occurs partly because those conducting their business from home enjoy their work more than regular employees, he says.
Work is a very important part of their life, the most enjoyable thing they do all day.
But working at home has done little to change traditional gender roles, Michelson says. On average, home-based female workers still spend more time doing chores or playing with their children than men. True, some people fulfill some of their objectives this way, but this is a two-edged sword. There is a downside and it isn't an unmitigated blessing.