Earlier this year, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer‘s controversial decision to ban working from home for Yahoo employees hit headlines all over the world. Business Insider reported that the CEO told a Los Angeles human resources conference that “people are more productive when they’re alone, but they’re more collaborative and innovative when they’re together. Some of the best ideas come from pulling two different ideas together.” While this news came as a blow to many who prefer or need to work from home, the article revealed that Yahoo’s intention was not “to comment on the merits of working from home in general, and that it is not interested in getting into a larger debate.” Mayer responded to the media outcry by saying that the ban was “wrongly perceived as an industry narrative.”

Virgin founder Richard Branson responded by telling the BBC that the ban was a “backwards step in an age when remote working is easier and more effective than ever.” Figures suggest that the number of people working from home is increasing, “59% of employers who responded to a survey in 2011 were offering teleworking, up from 13% in 2006.” Last year, O2 conducted a trial to assess the success of a work from home option for their staff during the Olympics. In the article that reported on the results of the trial, The Telegraph revealed that “staff saved a collective £9,000 in reduced commuting costs, while 14 per cent said they saw more of their families and 36 per cent said they were more productive than when at work. An additional 1,000 hours, time otherwise spent commuting, was spent working. Workers said they spent a further 1,000 extra hours sleeping and otherwise relaxing.” Ben Dowd, the company’s CEO said that flexible work practices will form “the principles that will build the future of work, and determine the way that people, technology and buildings interact in the decades and centuries ahead.”

Will Thomas from online banking service Eccount Money commented, “technology has meant a big shift in the way we do things. We can shop, bank and even socialise from our living room these days. Working from home is one of many boons that the digital age has bought, but you need to consider all angles of the situation before you can decide if it’s right you and perhaps more importantly if it’s right for the business.” Whether you work for yourself or want to incorporate work-from-home practice into your regular job, there are some keys factors to consider before you make your decision.

Is it good for business?

Regardless of how much energy and time you save, some business does not lend itself to telecommuting. In the case of Yahoo and any other businesses reliant on innovation for success, it’s the creative spark that happens in real time in a face to scenario that can make all the difference.

Google’s CFO Patrick Pichette told the BBC that “there is something magical about sharing meals.” Pichette explained “there is something magical about spending the time together, about noodling on ideas, about asking at the computer ‘What do you think of this?'” Certainly when it comes to creative industries and innovation, most people would agree with the Yahoo memo that said “Some of the best decisions and insights come from hallway and cafeteria discussions, meeting new people, and impromptu team meetings.”

Will Thomas adds, “if you are a programmer, writer, artist or entrepreneur, working from home is ideal. You can better control your environment and be more comfortable and productive.” There are many successful businesses that run from home offices or backyard sheds. Things like storage need to be considered if you’re running a retail business. If you work from home it’s difficult to conduct professional meetings in a domestic environment.

Is it good for you?

Unless you’re combating the busy life of a stay at home parent, working from home can be lonely, isolating and can actually cost you in the end. According to research revealed by the BBC, “not being seen in the office may affect a person’s chances of promotion, result in a smaller pay rise than office-based peers and lower performance evaluations.” The article goes on to mention the “additional pressure not to be perceived as skiving may drive those who do work from home to exceed their hours.”

Contrary to what the media might say, those who work from home will know the truth about how difficult it can be. Studies have shown that people who work from home not only work more productively but they also work longer hours. Mandy Garner from Workingmums.co.uk told The Telegraph “what you have to do to avoid complete burn-out is to be very firm about working hours, and have a clear demarcation between work time and home time.”

Best of both worlds

The overall opinion, when taking the pros and cons of telecommuting into account, suggests that there is an advantage to striking a balance of both working from home and going into the office. Alan Denbigh, co-author of The Teleworking Handbook says “there are proven benefits of home working. It gives you the opportunity to get on with a particular project and for those who are bringing up small families where it is imperative to have a degree of flexibility it works.” He thinks Yahoo’s ban on telecommuting “seems counter-productive”, he believes that people should have the freedom to decide.

Kitty Hastings is a journalist reporting out of London. Kitty specialises in lifestyle and personal finance reportage and events coverage but as a person who works from home, believes she can offer some insight to the discussion. Kitty’s articles can be seen in digital and print publications and when she’s not at work enjoying office banter she can be found at home, on her computer working just as hard.

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