Disadvantages of homeworking employees

Economic discrimination against workers at home
Social disadvantages of home work
Piece work
Outwork
Prejudicial treatment of outworkers

Nature

Homeworking employees or sub-contractors often experience the conditions of sweated labour including very low payment, long hours (frequently including the night), no paid absences or other benefits, and poor working conditions. In addition, tools, equipment or materials may provide hazards for which there is inadequate protection. Especially for women there is the strain of combining employment and housework in the same place. The circumstances of outwork cannot readily be improved by collective action, as the workers are too dispersed. A great number of homeworkers may find the conditions isolating and depressing. Outwork may be a device to return women to the home, and this will reverse progress made towards equal pay and opportunities for women.

Incidence

A 2022 survey by the UK’s Office for National Statistics found that 47% of homeworking employees reported challenges such as loneliness, difficulty collaborating, and lack of access to necessary equipment. In the United States, a 2021 Pew Research Center study indicated that 36% of remote workers struggled with motivation and work-life balance, highlighting the widespread nature of these disadvantages across developed economies.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, employees at a major Japanese electronics firm reported increased stress and reduced productivity due to inadequate home office setups and blurred boundaries between work and personal life, prompting the company to reassess its remote work policies.

Claim

The disadvantages of homeworking employees are a critical issue that cannot be overlooked. Isolation stifles creativity and collaboration, leading to diminished team cohesion and morale. The blurred lines between work and personal life can result in burnout and decreased productivity. Furthermore, the lack of direct supervision may lead to accountability issues. As organizations increasingly embrace remote work, addressing these challenges is essential to ensure employee well-being and maintain a thriving, innovative workforce.

Counter-claim

Outwork is intended for both men and women. It offers workers flexible hours; no travel time, travel inconveniences or travel fatigue; healthier work environments than congested offices or factories; and opportunities for more contact between the homeworker and his or her family. When desired, decentralized neighbourhood work centres, or other small groupings of workers in homes can be provided.