Which one better, Work From Home OR Stay In The Corporate World?

Quite a number of factors pushed me to start seeking new opportunities. Looking back, I spent almost 9 years in my first job; now, here in my second job, I thought I’ll be able to beat that record but… I may not be able to. August 6, 2010 marks my 3rd year, 6 more years more or is it time to go?

My aggressive search for new employment has started to reap some responses. On the other hand, this internet entrepreneur, whom I’ve developed tripopedia.com and gisearch.com in freelance capacity, got an equally good offer: me (from home) working for his projects full time. Is it something I should consider versus overseas employment?



Decision-making time again and it’s a tough one.

First things first: looking at advantages and disadvantages of one over the other.

Advantages of working from home

(+) More relax and totally flexible in terms of when I want to face my computer and work and when do I want to take a break and for how long; name it all. The goal is I should be able to render a total of 8 hours within a 24-hour period.

(+) No more commuting to/from work taking an average of 1.5 hours daily; less expense (no more daily allowance for transportation and food)

Day 21 Occupy Wall Street October 6 2011 Shankbone 16 (Photo credit: david_shankbone)

(+) 24 hours less 8 -- that’s 16 more hours for other things, play time, more sleep time, and maybe more time to take more work and earn more!

Disadvantages of working from home

(-) Take care of filling my own income tax return; shoulder the full amount of contributions for SSS, PAG-IBIG and PHILHEALTH

(-) No health benefits

(-) Less job security (until when will I have work – working from home?)

(-) Less the bonuses mandated by law

Advantages of working in the corporate world

(+) Health benefits

(+) Employer’s share for Insurance contributions

(+) Job security (I’ll make the same amount regardless of work load)

Disadvantages of working in the corporate world

(-) Stressful – meetings; management actions you don’t like, dealing with not just your work but other people you need to collaborate with

(-) Render 8 hours per day (Monday through Friday) within core working hours

(-) Can really be demanding during peak months hence more time at work, less time at home

(-) Daily commuting to/from work can really get tiring at times plus the daily allowance for food and transportation

(-) Adhere to corporate policies such as day to day attire


I guess, I’ve listed the common ones; for sure there's more to consider. Rhyan, a colleague taking his MBA from DLSU-Taft has this advice:

if the income you generate with working from home is enough to compensate for your monthly expenses when working in the corporate world --- then go! if that's the case, it will also mean that the extra time you will have when working from home can still be spent to do extra activities and then eventually contribute to generate higher disposable income..

Thanks Rhyan!

Think. Think. Think. I have a month or so...