Band 8+: A growing number of people work by telecommuting, that is, the employee works from home, using a computer and the internet to connect with the office. What are the advantages and disadvantaged of working this way? Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Today, there is a growing trend of remote working, where employees work from home, connecting with colleagues and the office via the Internet. This essay will delve further into the benefits and drawbacks of telecommuting.

Admittedly, working from home offers a great many benefits to employees, as it is considered to be a time-saver. These individuals do not need to spend time in traffic in order to get to their office; the digital platforms are their workplaces. Instead of spending time in the subway or stuck in traffic for a fixed period of time each day, they are better off spending their time on more valuable personal activities. Another positive side of remote working is the limitless opportunities of networking. When people work online, connecting with others from many parts of a country, or even the world, becomes much easier, as the geographical aspect is no longer an issue. Therefore, communicative individuals could expand their relationship circles by connecting with colleagues while doing mutual tasks or doing small talks before a meeting.

Nevertheless, telecommuting still poses potential risks. If remote workers are not aware of their lifestyle, prolonged sitting may cause long-term health problems when paired with long exposure to blue light. Most workers are required to sit for several hours a day in front of a screen during working hours, so the lack of movements and long hours of sitting will negatively affect the body, causing pain in the pelvic disc, lower back, and the neck; additionally, constant exposure to blue light would be damaging to their vision. In the long run, if these individuals do not have the routine of periodically standing up and walking away from the screen, bad habits will eventually form to compensate for the aforementioned bad habits; some prominent instances are: rounded shoulders and forward head posture for the body, and Myopia for their eyesight.

In summary, while telecommuters are able to receive the benefits of convenience and limitless opportunities for networking, they are also at risk of a potential sedentary lifestyle if not cautious with their working habits.