Why Work-From-Home Jobs Are Career-Killers

Ruchir Gupta -

In recent years, the option to work from home (WFH) has become increasingly popular, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. While working from home may offer several short-term advantages, such as convenience and savings, the long-term implications for your career can be far more damaging than they first appear. Here are the main reasons why WFH jobs could hurt your career progression, compensation, and future opportunities:

1. Intense Competition

  • When applying for a WFH job, you're not just competing with individuals in your local area; you're going up against a national (or even international) pool of candidates. This means that the competition for these roles is fierce.
  • By contrast, Work-From-Office (WFO) jobs tend to have a smaller talent pool, as they are typically limited to applicants from within or around the city where the office is located.
  • This reduced competition makes it easier to land a position, and once employed, it can also make promotions or lateral moves more accessible.

2. Lower Compensation

Companies are well aware of the financial savings that come with WFH arrangements. Employees enjoy several advantages, including:

  1. Savings on Travel Costs: Eliminating daily commuting expenses.
  2. Reduced Lunch Expenses: No more tiffin costs or buying lunch out.
  3. Time Savings: Reclaiming precious hours lost in traffic.
  4. Less Pollution Exposure: Sidestepping the smog and congestion.
  5. Avoiding Extreme Weather: No need to brave the elements.
  6. Reduced Fatigue: The energy drain from commuting is gone.
  • If these benefits were converted into monetary terms, they could easily add up to savings of ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 per month, depending on where you live. However, employers often consider these savings as part of your overall compensation package. Because you’re saving on these expenses, companies feel justified in offering lower salaries for WFH positions.
  • Additionally, the large applicant pool for WFH jobs allows companies to set lower salary benchmarks, knowing that there will always be someone willing to accept the lower offer.

3. Stagnant Salary Growth

  • One of the biggest risks of taking a WFH job is getting stuck in a cycle of lower salary growth. Once you’re settled into a WFH position, it can become incredibly difficult to switch back to a WFO job, especially if you’ve become accustomed to the flexibility of working from home. This reluctance to change leads to a complacency that can limit your career options.
  • Moreover, with the abundance of candidates for WFH jobs, companies often feel no pressure to offer significant pay raises or increments. This is compounded by the fact that WFH employees often lack bargaining power when switching to a new job. If your current salary is low, any potential employer offering a percentage-based salary hike will still leave you with a lower salary than you would have earned in a WFO position.
  • For example, if you’re earning ₹20,000 per month in a WFH role and the next company offers a 20% hike, your new salary will only be ₹24,000—a modest increase of ₹4,000. On the other hand, if you’re working in-office with a salary of ₹40,000, the same 20% hike would raise your salary to ₹48,000, doubling the increase.

4. Limited Resources and Infrastructure

  • Many companies that offer WFH roles expect you to have your own equipment, such as a laptop or desktop computer, and a stable, high-speed internet connection.
  • Additionally, these companies often assume that you’ll be able to create a distraction-free workspace at home, which is not always feasible for everyone.
  • The lack of direct support from companies in terms of tech resources and infrastructure adds another layer of difficulty to WFH jobs, which can diminish the convenience they initially promise.

5. Lower Productivity

  • Employers often perceive that WFH employees are less productive due to potential distractions at home, such as children, household chores, or unexpected visitors ringing doorbells.
  • In addition to this, small details like attending daily meetings without looking professional (e.g., skipping the bath or dressing casually) can further reinforce this negative perception.

What Should You Do?

Given these challenges, it’s clear that while WFH jobs might offer short-term comfort, they come with long-term career risks. Here are some strategies to consider:

  1. Prioritize WFO Jobs: Especially if you’re a fresher or early in your career, it’s crucial to opt for in-office roles. WFO jobs reduce competition, offer better compensation, and provide you with salary slips that reflect a higher pay grade. This will make it easier for you to negotiate higher salaries in future roles.
  2. Think Long-Term: While WFH may seem like the more comfortable option, especially when juggling personal responsibilities, WFO roles are generally more beneficial for your long-term career growth. If you are the primary breadwinner of your family, WFO jobs can offer more stability, better financial growth, and greater opportunities for advancement.

In conclusion, while WFH jobs offer flexibility and immediate conveniences, they often come at the cost of lower pay, slower career progression, and fewer long-term opportunities. For those looking to build a successful career and secure financial stability, Work-From-Office roles remain the smarter choice in the long run.