The good and bad of working from home

PETALING JAYA: Working from home comes with some perks, but there are inconveniences too.

Lin Lay Geng, 38, a creative business director at Reina Design, said it is more comfortable to be able to work at home.

On the other hand, tasks such as video shoots and photography, an essential part of his business, have to be halted. That, he said, has affected productivity.

Sometimes, he said, going out is preferable. “It is better to have creative presentations or discuss business with clients in person,” he said.

But for now, he has to make do with Skype, Zoom, WhatsApp or Google services.

Lin said he appreciated the fact that he could see more of his children but he also has to focus on his work. “But I have my wife to watch over them,” he told theSun.

“The fun part is, I get to have kids join me on my work station. My daughter offers me water, and helps me organise stuff, the bonding is precious,” he said.

Dharshanaa Ayaloo, 25, an accounts payable executive, said motivations were high initially but it has been difficult to fight the temptations to lounge on the couch or take afternoon siestas.

“My work is computer-based, therefore not much of it is disrupted,” she said.

She pointed out that one of the ground rules is for all team members to be easily contactable during work hours. “That helps in getting the work done and issues resolved in a timely manner,” she added.

She said if the tasks were delegated properly at the start of the day, the work would get done as if everyone in the team was at the office.

Lawyer Fahri Azzat, 44, said productivity has dropped since he started working from home. “Communication with other lawyers and staff can be tedious, thus slowing down the process,” he said.

On the other hand, he said, he enjoys having more time to “think and feel” and being able to spend more time with his family.

Software engineer Putera Shahrul Rizal, 24, said that the movement control order has not affected his productivity. “Nearly half of my eight-man team is based in Penang so we have been working remotely anyway,” he said.

He said he has also managed to save some money now that he does not have to commute to work. “Though I do feel sleepy when the bed is right there beside me,” he added with a laugh.