The work from home trend seems to be becoming a worldwide movement. However, although it may seem a dream to many people – like me -, many others are afraid of what it means: Working as a freelancer. Having to look for clients is considered as a continuous stress. And having to renounce to a fix monthly income, as an unsustainable financial uncertainty. As much as they would love it to work from home, it’s too risky for them.

Totally understandable. But being a freelancer isn’t the only way to work from home. I don’t want to have a boss who wouldn’t let me take my own decisions. But this is me. Not everyone has the same priorities. It would be way too boring, right? 😉

There are different ways to work from home: freelancer, home-office employee or full-timer contractor. As I have tried all three options out, let me give you some pros and cons to each of them. And then you can choose whichever type suits you best. But first, let’s make clear what the differences between these three options are.

3 Different Ways to Work from Home – Remote Employee, Freelancer & Full-time Contractor

♥ Home-office / remote employee – If you have a home office, you’ll generally be working for a specific company. The difference with a regular employee is that you’ll be performing your work from home, instead of from the office.
♥ Freelancer – Also known as “solopreneur,” a freelancer is someone who doesn’t work for anyone else. You work for yourself and don’t have a boss – only clients.
♥ Full-time contractor – In-between solution. You’re officially a contractor (aka non-employee), but you work at fixed hours for a specific company.

Pros and cons of working remotely from your home office

Pros:
♥ You’re at home without having to renounce to your financial security.
♥ You’ll keep receiving your fix income at the end of every month.
♥ You’ll keep the benefit packages provided by your employer – if that’s the case.
♥ You’ll get paid leave.
♥ You have coworkers you can go to in case you need some help.

Cons:
♥ You won’t  be able to decide any strategies or changes you’d like to implement in your company.
♥ You’ll have to go with your company’s fixed work hours – although you could always try to negotiate more time flexibility.
♥ You’ll have to attend meetings, fill out reports and meet KPIs as any other regular employee would.

Pros and cons of full-time contractors

Pros:
♥ You’re at home without having to renounce to your fix income at the end of every month.
You don’t have to keep searching for clients. You already have one.
♥ You won’t probably be part of any team, but you’ll still have coworkers you can ask for help.

Cons:
♥ You won’t  be able to decide any strategies or changes you’d like to implement in your company.
♥ You’ll have to go with your company’s fixed work hours – although you could always try to negotiate more time flexibility.
♥ You may not get paid leave, no fixed-term contract, no benefit packages.

Pros and cons of freelancing

Pros:
♥ You have total freedom to work where and when it suits you.
♥ You’re responsible for your productivity: If you manage to work more efficiently, you’ll be able to work fewer hours – or earn more money.
♥ You can change roles as often as you please – it’s your company. Add tasks to your work, or search for help and take some tasks off.
♥ You can implement strategies in the blink of an eye without having to wait for approvals – which may never happen.
♥ You have total time flexibility.
♥ If you’re earning enough money, you’re going to have “salary” improvements automatically – without having to ask for a pay raise. More work = more money.

Cons:
♥ You won’t have any fixed income.
♥ You’ll have a lot of admin work. Unless you outsource administration & accountancy tasks.
♥ You’re on your own, so you’ll have to take care of things you may not like. At least at the beginning, until you begin outsourcing.

Although I’ve tried to keep it as objective as possible, I guess you can tell what my favorite option is, right?? 😀 Freelancing can be stressful sometimes. You’ll probably be working less than before. At least at the beginning. But you’re working on your own terms. To your own benefit. And the way which better suits your work-life balance.

xoxo,
Alicia
Are you born to freelance?

PS. What’s your favorite option? Home office? Freelancing? Or full-time contractor?

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