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Working from home requires clear separation between personal and professional space, investment in necessary equipment, self-discipline, and potential isolation from company dynamics. It is not necessarily easier than working in a centralized office.
For many people, having the opportunity to work from home seems like an attractive alternative to their daily commute, but those who work from home regularly say there are some significant tradeoffs and sacrifices that must be made. Telecommuting has become increasingly popular in recent years, but getting ready to work from home requires more than simply setting up a satellite office or uploading files to a company’s server. Working from home can be a complete change in your professional and personal lifestyle.
To work from home effectively, there must be a clear delineation between your professional workspace and your personal living space. A bedroom, den or pantry can be converted into a home office or workshop, but it must be recognized as a professional area by all family members. The workload for employees working from home is not necessarily lighter than the workload for employees in a centralized office. You should establish times when you are clearly “at work” and not disturbed by other family members. It can be all too easy to get distracted by personal events happening around you during work hours.
Another way to prepare to work from home is to invest in office, communication, and storage equipment. Many telecommuters who used to work in an office environment may not even realize how many amenities a home office is missing. There may not be copy stations with fax machines and printers in your guest room. Important company documents and other documents must be stored somewhere. Internet connections may need to be updated and specialist equipment can be professionally installed.
Once the logistical and workspace issues are taken care of, there are other considerations when you decide to work from home. While the idea of working in jeans and a T-shirt has its appeal, you can start to feel isolated from the company and interpersonal dynamics of a busy office or workshop. There’s some truth to the expression “out of sight, out of mind,” and you may need to take steps to stay on the company’s radar. When you work from home, you often end up trading social and professional interaction for privacy and financial savings. You may visit the main office from time to time to stay abreast of current developments and changes.
A very important consideration when choosing to work from home is self-discipline. Regular office workers might be tempted to spend a few extra minutes on a coffee break or extended lunch, but supervisors can keep these activities to a minimum during work hours. When you work from home, you may not have these restrictions. A ten-minute coffee break can easily turn into a half-hour phone call with your best friend. There’s no time clock or lunch whistle when you work from home. To telecommute or run an independent business from home, you need to develop enough self-discipline to avoid all those tempting time-wasters throughout the day.
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