Rebecca Sparrow.
By BEC SPARROW
We have good news and we have bad news. The good news is the Government wants your boss to let you work from home. The bad news is The Circle was axed and Oprah is no longer on TV which means you may actually be tempted to, you know, work from home. Dammit.
This week is National Telework Week. Wait, what? That’s right. A whole week dedicated to encouraging employers to let more of their staff work from home in their pyjamas while they check Facebook and order shit they don’t need online.
Interestingly, there are benefits to this gig for both the employer and the employee. Staff who are permitted to work from home (or a cafe or, er, the treadmill at the gym …) report greater feelings of work/life balance, less stress and more job satisfaction.
Employers on the other hand save on office costs and their teleworkers tend to have a higher productivity rate than their office-based counterparts. Who knew?
Welcome to my typical work day.
I’m writing this from bed. It’s 10am, my laptop is on my lap and somewhere in the background a male morning TV host is making jokes about waxing his chest. My 9-month-old Fin is asleep. And I’m drinking tea while I edit a story for Mamamia.(A process my friend Kim calls “bediting” … ).
I’ve been working from home pretty much exclusively for the past 12 years. And I love it. Big L, love it.
With two little kids who see me as their own personal Sherpa, I can choose to do the bulk of my work on the hemlines of the day. Early mornings when the house is quiet and my mind is crispy fresh. Or late at night when I’ve chosen to spend the day playing Princess Shops and making Gingerbread biscuits.
But mostly I work during the day, like a normal person (well, except for the fact I don’t always brush my hair which makes me look suspiciously like Newton Faulkner)
I’m tapping out stories while Fin crawls around my feet and attempts to lick the dog. I’m replying to comments while I’m in the kitchen road-testing Lana’s best ever salad dressing.
There are things I miss about working in an office of course (I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss all the cake). But mud cake to celebrate the birthday of Sonia in accounts, doesn’t – for me – make up for me being around to take Ava to kindy and pick her up again the afternoon. And to work in my black and white polka-dotted PJs if I want to.
Take a deep breath Bec. There is company in the computer.
Do I get lonely? Honestly? Not so much. I have my editorial team Skype chat window open all day, which means at any time I can join in a debate with Nat and Lucy about who would win a cage-fight between Justin Bieber and Harry from One Direction. Seriously though, Mia, Jam, Lucy, Nat and Kate are always there and we dish about our weekends, news headlines, issues we’re facing in our own lives that might make a great post and politics. So. Much. Politics.
And of course, I ring them on the phone and do video calls when the mood strikes.
Or I can shut the Skype window down completely and get more done in one hour at home alone than I could in an entire day in an office full of people and mud cake.
Working from home isn’t for everybody. But if you’re the type of person who is more hermit than social and relishes the peace and quiet … it’s a winner.
Have you or would you ever consider teleworking?
Comments
78 Comments so far
I would love to work from home I have a 19 month old and would love to be able to earn some money but to stay with my daughter as well!! Just dont know how to go about it and also who to trust!
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I would love to work from home I have a 19 month old and would love to be able to be with my daughter but earn some money at the same time just dont know who to trust to get some work, I have even thought of offering like admin services to small employers but again dont know where to start??
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I love it and do it regularly. Even though I have an office, I sometimes work from home for the greater focus and it’s much easier to meet a deadline when I’m not in the office. You don’t want to lose the “team” nature by having everyone work from home and it take both trust and discipline from all sides but yes, my line of work is perfect for at home. I think of it as a bit of a privilege, not a right. And I have to manage my own IT problems…and there’s no cafe.
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Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Let’s back up the truck a little here…
A cage fight between Justin Beiber and Harry Styles! Who did people think would win?
My vote is probably Harry… I’d be happy to watch and referee such a thing though to test out that theory. As long as they’re both topless… and greased up.
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My sister has been working from home – she runs reports & abnormalities for Alinta. It suits her personality but I sometimes worry she’ll ever improve her social skills. But she likes it that way just her & her dog. At her work they have rules about log on times & work volumes (easy to monitor because she is one of the few). One of the best things about her job has been not having to change jobs when she was having life issues & moving from Queensland to Melbourne to Tasmania, back to Queensland. Back to Melbourne. She also prefers regional areas & small towns and doesn’t have the burden of commuting. It also means when she needs a break she can come to stay at my house as long as she brings her laptop & her dog (which is amazing next week when I have to recover from an op).
Fiancé also works from home (runs labour hire company) but he struggled with it more. He Sometimes feels like people don’t think he works. He is more at peace with it now – watches tv only in his lunch break. He keeps it rigid & wakes the same time each day – always gets dressed & and always spends one day out if the office interviewing staff at cafes in a suit. He was
A bit lonely being the only the only one in the office – but he assistant coached at a local footy club and is now operations manager. Is using his business skills & has taken on sponsorship. So there is always training, games & volunteering to be done. Which is good for me because I can’t fix the burden of loneliness during the day or make up for it. As for me I joined a gym – social& positive
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How timely! Just started working from home this week. Got so much done in just 3 hours with no phone ringing or interuptions. Saved an hour on commute. Writing is so much easier when you get in the ‘zone’.
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I would love to work from home on a regular basis! Even just one day a week. I’m spending an absolute fortune on childcare and I could be working from home and fitting the job in around my daughter without any problems. But, my boss isn’t keen. He doesn’t believe that people who work from home are productive enough and my priorities would be to my child before my job (which he insists would be the case for himself too). He’s not interested in allowing me to work 9 hour days to have one half day either. Again, thinks consistently working long hours leads to lower productivity.
Meanwhile I’m sitting in the office reading Mamamia….
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I wish! I’m a preschool teacher :/
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After I had my first child my employer requested I come back to work but work from home. I now go into the office once a week, where I get dressed up and stay clean and smart all day. Every other day I work fr home. It’s great I love it and wouldn’t have it any other way.
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LOVE working from home… I think I’m more diligent (perhaps a bit isolated and thinking everyone is doing more than I!) but the bonus is I get to take regular “dance breaks”. Something I was never very comfortable doing in the office.
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I really need the Open Post back. So much so that I am totally rudely crashing this post to ask a question. Sorry. Hope this doesn’t get deleted but how do I know if a Uni or institution is legitimate? I am searching for a Bachelor of Counselling that I can do by Distance Education and the only one I can find is through the Jansen Newman Institute which I have never heard of. Help! I pinned all my hopes on the University of the Sunshine Coast only to find none of their degrees are offered by distance. Gah!
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Jansen Newman are pretty reputable, I know a few people who have taken their courses. But to be sure, best to check with PACFA and CAPA (governing body, and member group) to see what qualifications they recognise.
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I work from home also…..I also have an Ava…and I also enjoy the freedom of being able to pick the children up from school….in fact – I was on the local news last night (all of 3 seconds) sprouting how great teleworking is!!! It is for me and my family!!! I relate to Skype, Google and the man on morning TV! I also can plug out more work – I am super productive in my pj’s (yes, I have been known to do school drop off in 3 day old nightwear)….above all – I love that I am able to contribute to the family earnings, be there for my children and enjoy the trappings of morning TV!!!
And yes…..I am very lucky – because jobs like this are very hard to find….and I am going to enjoy it whilst it lasts!!
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I’d love to work from the office!! All I’d need is to set up access to the office software which would be a little hard..
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You could remotely log in to your work computer. Your IT department/company can set this up.
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I work a part-time office job, and do a few days at home on my own business which I love. Some days at home are really busy, others not so much. In my previous job it was mostly impossible to work at home unless it was all data analysis and writing. I found I had to be pretty strict on making sure I got things done, otherwise I get distracted and wander off.
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I’ve been working from home for the last six years (I’m a writer). I love it too. I wear whatever I want (I actually have to stop and check that I’m wearing pants before I go out to check the letterbox. I’ve been caught out a few times), I start and finish whenever I want and don’t have to worry about the office politics that I remember from every office I ever worked in. I miss a few things though. Talking to people (I have since lost the ability to talk on the phone), functions – like Melbourne Cup lunch or Christmas parties and a regular, reliable income. Still, I wouldn’t change a thing.
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Hey Bec,
I’m at the 12 year mark too. I do love working from home regarding lack of politicking and ego carry one, and freedom of time and movement.
But I have to say literally for the first time in 12 years I am feeling the isolation.
I work as a marketing consultant – online and offline. So am used the skyping and video conferencing with clients who can be anywhere in the world.
But have found that because I don’t have kids and am still single, where all my friends are either married, parents or in relationships (blended family scenarios) it’s become a bit tougher socially lately.
Seems I am the last bastion right now, and still refuse to be in a relationship for the sake of it. I’m over the pub scene – I feel past that life stage wise when I see all these gorgeous 20 somethings filling my local, and the cougar thing has had it’s day.
I also know it’s unrealistic for my loved up friends to want to do something as a group every single weekend. As if I was in their shoes I wouldn’t want to either – nothing beats a night on the couch snuggling with nice wine and a dvd or a romantic meal out. Plus they have weekends that revolve around entertaining blended children.
So being in an physical team environment is beginning to appeal a lot again.
Maybe it’s the 12 year itch rather than 7?
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Hope you find a good compromise on the work front – could be exciting to enter the work place again?
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Wow! This is so me!
I’ve been working from home since I was 20. I often think that I’ve struggled socially because of my work-from-home business – missing out on work functions, the office politics and all that jazz. However, I really enjoy the flexibility – being able to have lunch with a friend at the drop of a hat (sometimes), choose my own work hours and take holidays when I want – and the positives certainly outweigh the negatives.
There are times when I question myself: asking if I should sell the business and enjoy a set lifestyle. But I soon snap out of it, as that’s not what I’m on this earth for.
I enjoy catching up with friends and not having to chat about work – as many of them don’t really understand what I do. It’s painful when people constantly talk about work, work, outside of work hours and while socialising. Boring! Get a life! Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do. However, it’s still a job and it does wear you down from time to time.
I try to spend as much time out of the house as I can – like spend time in the park making phone calls, making and reading over notes. I really enjoy that. I only spend time in my home office when I really need to.
I, too, am single without any children and a lot of my close friends are paired up, but that’s just the way it is. It used to really bother me, but it doesn’t any more. I feel that I live a very lucky life, as I’m doing something that I love and get to do it from home. If the right woman comes into my life, then so be it, if not, I’m not going to lose sleep over it.
I enjoy working with the radio playing in the background and that helps me a lot. I can’t work with the TV on, for obvious reasons. There are times when I wish that I had someone looking over my shoulder, as I’d spend less time on social media – mainly just stuffing around. Damn you, Facebook and Twitter accounts. The worst thing is that they play a big part in the promotion of my business.
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You know what? I can really understand that. And a physical workplace can definitely widen your circle of friends or at least give it a bit a refresh.
I guess with working from home, you have to weigh up the pros and cons and if the cons list is getting too long … maybe it’s worth sacrificing the convenience of home to be back amongst real people more often.
Otherwise I’m just wondering if there are other ways (some new ideas) for you to meet new people. Some of my friends are in investment clubs, others do yoga or they sign on to learn new skills (running clubs, cooking etc). Would any of that help or am I telling you how to suck lemons?
And PS good for you for not settling. One thing I know is that life can change – for better or worse – on a dime. And you never know when it is you’ll cross paths with someone fabulous (who thinks you’re fabulous too).
xxxxx
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Thanks Bec, Daniel & Urban Fringe for your thoughts. Much appreciated
I actually love sucking lemons – I have lemon and hot water every morning to start my day.
I belong to the gym and my gym friends are some of the loved up ones, have rejoined yoga (haven’t connected with anyone there yet as spend so much time in downward dog in silence, hard to chat), and picked up French again.
My warped sense of humour got some exercise when I walked into my French class for the first time, as I was hoping to meet some new people around my age group and maybe even a cute man! Oh imagine that!
They are a lovely group of people, most I suspect are retired or close to it (when we went to a French movie together I noticed some senior cards being handed over), and the one man is happily married, about 65 and comes up to my waist (I’m tall and he’s cute elf size). So strike that one out!
I think this year is a year of transition for me, and it is not completely clear what it is I am transitioning to, and as such it’s uncomfortable at times.
My closest friends (the ones not in the previous groups I mentioned) have literally all moved away. One to London, one to Perth, one in Germany and a couple in NZ. We’re in regular touch but that’s like the plethora of virtual friends I have already being in the Online Marketing world – adorable people, keeps you connected, but you share a wine via Skype versus sitting on the couch or in a restaurant next to them.
I’m meant to be writing my book (fictional memoir, dream to be a published author), and whilst I have the choice of how I spend my time, the priority has to be bringing money in the door in the way I know how to (sometimes I do that better than other times!).
So whilst I have connected with one awesome Australian author, I don’t feel authentic to mooch around the writers’ world when I am still at the ‘talking about it’ stage. As actions are really what counts at the end of the day to be a true peer.
I’d love to be doing more writing, as it’s like breathing for me. But then I do love working with people. Helping people get the results they want is my joy. Writing is my food for my soul.
Anyway, I don’t want to sound like I am having a pity party for myself. As the popular catch phrase of now goes: #firstworldproblem
I’m blessed my wiring naturally disposes me to the positive end of the happiness spectrum, even when I feel like I am in that uncomfortable ‘no man’s land’ right now.
Definitely something going on in that invisible spiritual plane for me
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Hey Carosmile, I can totally relate to your post! Working from home is fantastic when you have kids, and when mine were younger I appreciated it as much as all the people posting here. But I’m also approaching the 12 year mark, I’m divorced, and my last child is now at uni. And I have virtually no social life. And I’m a published author! I hate to say it, but there’s not really a ‘writer’s world’ where you can go and hang out; in fact, there are far more groups for aspiring writers, and for professionals within the industry, like publishers and editors. It’s so bad, that a couple of author friends and myself are thinking of trying to organise a regular social get-together specifically for published authors.
So if I were you, I’d be joining a writer’s group while you are at the ‘talking about it’ stage. You’ll get motivation to write, feedback, and the company of people who share your passion. Best of luck!
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Great article
I have been a freelance translator for 11 years now, living in Europe. A few years back when I had a blog I put up a post about working from home. Here are my perks (which more recently include going to the gym in my free time):
- tailoring work around my schedule: i.e. working “overtime” one day to have more time off the next day, e.g. to take kids anywhere (as well as dropping and picking up from school/preschool), attend preschool concerts, etc.,
- getting paid for what I do and not what I don’t do – i.e. mammoth, difficult project = big payout. No work = no pay, but time to play
- being able to do things like go to the dentist, beautician, hairdresser or whatever during the day if no work is on, and not having to take time off or waste weekends on that kind of thing,
- being able to let in any repairmen, etc. at any time of day because I am here. In fact, I was able to monitor and take care of things associated with the renovation of half our apartment while working from home,
- seeing my kids all the time, even when I’m working,
- being able to travel or take a few days off whenever I want to within reason (you can’t turn down work too often),
- and, last but definitely not least, being able to work even while away from home, although I do make a point not to take my laptop on all trips as on some I don’t intend or am just plain unable to work.
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May I ask, what languages do you translate from/into?
How do you go about getting freelance translation work….?
It’s an area I am currently interested in pursuing…
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Polish, English and Spanish. There is a website proz.com where you can create a profile and source work from all over the world. I work with some local translators and translating companies as well as friends (I also proofread). Good luck!
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I commute ninety minutes each way and working from home would make such a difference to my life.
Even if I could do three days a week at home and two in the office, I’d be much healthier and happier, I could go to the gym more and it’d just be fantastic.
On the rare occasion I have worked from home, I haven’t found productivity a problem.
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Have you spoken to your boss about it? Perhaps he or she might be quite receptive?
I know that my boss isn’t interested unfortunately. He thinks that I will spend too much time playing with my daughter and not enough time working…
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I love working from home, but it is a constant battle of priorities. I have to make myself stay focused on work and not get distracted by other things that need doing, or popping out and getting groceries and run errands while the little one is at school. I definitely think it’s easier to stay focused in an office environment. Pros and cons for both.
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I would love love love love love love LOVE to work from home, and I wouldn’t miss the social interaction as my office is FULL of bullies, a lot of whom direct their crap at me
What do all the work from home people do? I’d love to know.
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I design and sub edit newspaper pages from my home office in Brisbane but the papers I work on can be anywhere from Coffs Harbour to Rockhampton to anywhere in between.
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That’s great, sounds like the kind of work I’d love to do
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I work in a sales role for a multinational company who are pioneers in allowing teleworking. I can now work as many or few days in the office or at home (or holiday home/wherever, they don’t care) as I wish… as long as my job gets done! I do exactly what I did in the office, as through technology I have access to every piece of office info or software that I might need, and they provide a laptop, smartphone and softphone (phone that runs on the laptop). We can also access all the office software (incl. email) on our personal iPads and iPhones. Like Bec, we all stay in touch with a chat/call/video application called Jabber and at any time can see who is online or not across the whole company and contact them. The mix of home and office as location is perfect – and the company has measured up to 40% BETTER productivity since bringing the policy in, even taking into consideration the cost of setting us all up. (No wasted commute time, focus when you need it, socialising with colleagues when you need that=happy staff!) Companies just need to get their heads around empowering and trusting their staff. I know I would lose my job if I wasn’t producing the results required, which is motivation enough for me!
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That’s great Alana, sounds like a really progressive company. I work in the government sector and we’re so behind I don’t see it ever happening in the job I have now (probably time for another one…)
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Trying to work with children under my feet? Ugh, no company could pay me enough.
However if they were all in some sort of school or care, I can certainly see the appeal.
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So what industry are all you work-from-homers in?
With a 5mth old bub amd the strong desire not to go back to my old job I’ve been wracking my brains as to what I could do from home instead.
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I’m doing consultancy and writing/editing for healthcare and medical clients.
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I am a “virtual” receptionist for a busy psych practice. I take calls over a voip phone and update the scheduler that is web-based. I’m on the phone all day, so can’t take breaks at my discretion (unlike consultancy-based, or writing gigs), but still great for the convenience factor.
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I assist writers with their as-yet-unpublished manuscripts, and act in a mentorship role, plus the odd bit of copy and structural editing. Everything happens easily through Skype and email, although when I can do so, it’s actually more rewarding to meet the authors and talk with them face to face about their work.
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I do both… Working from home (for myself – no kids) and working in an office (for someone else). I used to just work from home but I missed the watercooler chat AND CAKE!
I get much more done on my out-of-home office days. I also love having an excuse to wear something other than PJs
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I work for myself, from home. It ROCKS. I’ll NEVER work for anyone else, out of the house ever again.
I get to take the kids to kindy and school.. I get to go to the gym.. make myself a healthy lunch, have a nap, get errands run, and generally do what I want on MY terms. Oh, and run a successful business
I used to feel lonely, but I’m so used to it now. I have Mamamia, twitter and blogs for company…. and can head out for a coffee if I need real human interaction.
Incidentally, Friday December 7th is ‘Work in nude day’ – Celebrating the freedoms of working from home.
https://www.facebook.com/events/418321594888546/
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Totally agree with you for above reasons. I have been working from home for over 10 years now and wouldn’t change it for anything. My pay is irregular but luckily that doesn’t make much of a difference to our home budget. Yes to the naps, picking kids up, a big yes to the gym, errands, and lunch/coffee out with friends. Oh yeah, and I fit in a little work now and then too
(I’m a freelance translator and have already commented here generally).
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I LOVE working from home. Everything I need is at my fingertips (including cake), I can duck into school if need be AND I can avoid the office politics. Perfect!
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I’m too easily distracted, my husband says ADD, so working from home for me would be a complete disaster!
But for my friends who it works for, its the best of both worlds, like you describe Bec!
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My work means i could EASILY work from home 1-2 days a week without it impacting upon anyone – but of course i work for the dinosaurs in state government who would never allow anything so progressive! They dont need to worry about productivity, and think, but if we let you do it, we’ll have to let everyone. OMG imagine that – better work life balance for everyone!
Excuse the rant.
I REALLY hope employers get on board.
Anyone know of any research re productivity – losses or gains?
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When I was in State Govt the excuse given was “we can’t possibly inspect all the home workplace for health and safety provisions therefore legally it isn’t feasible to allow work from home situations”. Which only seemed to apply to certain jobs for some reason because all the IT people could log in from home while on call if necessary without having inspections done…Anyway now I work at home all the time and nobody pays me either lol
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I’m a primary school teacher so no, would much prefer to work from work than have 24 kids at my house every day (and I don’t think they’d appreciate my bed-hair).
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lol
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Are you allowed to work from the bathroom and call it Teletubbyweek?
Chicks talking about boy band members cage fighting is kinda hot.
Um, actually, can anyone recommend a good sex therapist? I think that I’ve got a few issues to work through.
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I work from home and both of my kids go to school, so I get so much done. In fact I think I can knock off what used to be a whole day’s work in an office in about four hours at home. I freakin love it!
Some people say ‘but don’t you get tempted to do the washing?’ and sometimes I do wander off and do five minutes of housework, but I use that time to think about how I’m going to tackle a work issue, or how I’m going to respond to an email or to think about a killer headline for a media release. Throwing all the whites in the washing machine doesn’t require much of my brain power.
I do sometimes work one day/week from a client’s office which is fun. It’s good to get out of my tracksuit pants once in a while.
Working from home rocks!
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Id kill to work from home!! Its a dream of mine
Id be happy doing my current job from home in the comfort of my loungeroom or homeoffice. Would be the best!
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I work from home, and while the work I do is not my ‘ideal job’, it is ideal for my life as a mum.
I am able to drop off and pick my son up from preschool every day he goes. I go to playgroup and dancing lessons with my three year old daughter, and spend lots of time making mud cakes in the backyard or at the park feeding the ducks.
Sometimes this means I am up at 5.30-6am with my kids, doing the breakfast/getting dressed/rushing out of the house to get to school run, going home and putting the washing on, making a few phones calls, occupying my little girl with a few games, cleaning the bathroom, ducking out to the shops to get a few things, picking my son up from school, making dinner, bathtime, story time, bedtime, onto the treadmill, and then, at about 8pm, sitting down to do three or four hours of work before going to bed and starting it all again.
I have about about two weeks a month where I am crazy busy like the above, and then the other two weeks are fairly relaxed, with work a little bit slower and less demanding.
For me, it is this simple – as a working mum, there is always a cost. For some people, that cost is daycare. For others, it’s shiftwork between partners to make sure someone is always there. For me, it is a times a relentless and demanding pressure to do so many things all at the same time, and often very little sleep. But, that is the cost I willingly pay to be there with my kids. To be a part of reading at preschool, and to act like a fairy at dancing lessons and help support my sons soccer team.
My job, and working from home, offers me a huge amount of flexibility to set my own hours, and take on as much work as I want. The flip side of that is that I have to take on a certain amount of work for financial reasons, and that I have to choose how to spend my time very carefully.
It takes a huge amount of motivation and commitment, but it works for me. I love that I can be there for everything with my kids, while still keeping a foot in the door with my work and facing different challenges other than how to get a whole bottle of baby ol out of my daughters hair (fyi – multiple washes for four days before it returned to normal).
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I have predominantly worked from home since my eldest child was born almost five years ago. At first I felt a bit disconnected and lonely. Since having a second child I find the opportunities to work at home utterly blissful. When my elder child is at kinder and my younger child is with another carer (grandma, dad or at childcare one day a week) or asleep, the silence is divine and I love the opportunity to think, to write and to create in solitude.
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I would LOVE your job!
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‘Bediting’ (giggle). Yep, guilty of that one.
I’ve been working freelance from home for the last couple of years, alongside a part time office job because doing either option exclusively does my head in. Besides, working from home in winter makes opening the heating bill a truly frightening experience.
So I spent a few months of anguished job seeking to find the ideal balance, but the wait was worth it. I now work four part time days a week with a fun bunch of colleagues, and it’s also useful to have one weekday at least up your sleeve for tradies, haircuts, lunches with friends
I do find that so long as there are no distractions (for me, it’s the cricket rather than The Circle, but each to her own ….) working from home is very productive. More uninterrupted thinking time, for a start!
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I worked from home for several years and found it really difficult by the end.
I was really lonely so would check Facebook a lot, and without anyone around to check up on my output I slowly lost a lot of motivation. I wouldn’t go back to it full time if I had a choice.
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I’ve worked for myself from home for over three years and with young kids, I have no desire to go back. Yes, I do miss the social interaction but it gives me the flexibility to be the kind of mum I want to be. I am very motivated though, although that probably comes more from running my own business (the more I work, the more I earn!) rather than where my desk is.
It all depends on the employer though. My husband’s company has a policy that mums (only ever seems to be mums) should be allowed to work from home one to two days per week. Unfortunately, it doesn’t suit the nature of the business at all: productivity is massively decreased on these days and the lack of their physical presence impacts other departments. I hate Mondays and Wednesdays (when two of my husband’s staff work from home) as I know he’ll be putting in a 12 hour day to cover for them. Unfair! Fortunately, the company is reviewing the policy – it suits some business and not others.
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I’ve worked from home for the past 7 years and I must admit I do enjoy it most of the time. I go in to the office 2 days a week, and the rest is from home.
My one rule is “Don’t turn the tv on”, because that would be a major distraction for me – I work in silence!! Never been a music while I work kind of person.
However, the one thing that REALLY frustrates me is the fact that whenever the kids have a curriculum day off school, my SIL assumes that “seeing as you are home” that I can have her kids here as well as my own. NO!! I am NOT surpervising 6 kids and working also. Mine are older, can amuse themselves and are my responsibility if I get too busy to feed them….lol….how about you take MY 3 kids to your work for the day and see how it goes????
That siad…I really enjoyed being able to go food shopping this morning, and have coffee with a gf before coming home to work for the rest of the day. The pros definitely outweigh the cons for me….
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I work from home, and have been doing it for 2 years now. I don’t have kids, or a partner anymore, so I do find it quite isolating. Some days I emerge from the house and think “I haven’t spoken to anyone, outside of a work capacity, in DAYS”…
But on rainy days, or hungover days, or really cold/hot days… it rocks!
I do miss having colleagues though. On only one day a week I job share with another girl (also working remotely) and we chat via a messenger thing which is nice. But that’s it. It’s a bit lonely…
On my off days I’m studying, usually from home also. I feel when I look back at these years I’ll have no memories as NOTHING HAPPENS!! So it feels like a bit of a waste.
I was actually thinking of starting a “Work Drinks” group on meetup, for those people who work from home. Might be a goer.
Once I graduate, I think I’ll be hot-tailing it to the first office job I can find… with COLLEAGUES. I’ll be like a kid in a candy store, they probably wont be able to shut me up.
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I was thinking the same thing Bedizz! I’ve been working from home for 5 years and love it, but occasionally I miss the camaraderie of an office. Really felt it on Melb Cup Day actually. Once a month coffee or drinks sounds like a plan!
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Yes! Melbourne cup day I felt it. Are you in Sydney megs? Maybe we should set something up… Meetup is so good for that kind of thing.
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Doh! Was in Sydney for 7 years, just recently moved to QLD. Perhaps we should organise a meet-up in every state
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I’ve worked from home one day a week for the last couple of years. Luckily for me this was an option and a decision I made for family and financial reasons. I love that it gives me more time with my children, eases the commuting stress and just gives me more of a work/life balance over all. There are good and bad days but mostly it works well for me. I often find I can get more done behind my closed doors with bubba playing at my feet or sleeping and I also enjoy going into the office a couple of days a week. I love that working from home is becoming more of a realistic option for people because it really does work for some
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I work from home and it is a mixed blessing – there is some flexibility but with rostered hours and set work to be done I can’t just stop and start when i want.
But I do get to wear my pjs and see Coldplay sing on Sunrise. For me the biggest advantage is the not having to commute – on Mondays when I am in the office I have to allow an extra hour or so to get to work and then the same again after a long day in front of the computer. Being at home saves me that 2 plus hours a day.
The biggest disadvantage is that I find I have put on weight because I don’t have to fit into my office clothes everyday so it just creeps on.
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I kind of work from home – I see patients at their homes then write reports at home. So a few days out meeting new people, hearing life stories and interacting combined with the rest of the week at my computer.
I mostly love it- flexibility and the ability to work at night( amazing how much can be done between 8:30 and midnight) which means I can help at school and can get more work done then I would I. A 9 to 5 job.
the flexibility to work like And insane person in December and have all the school holidays off as I have done double the work in December is wonderful.
Motivation is my problem- I am easily distracted by washing and lunch invites and Mamamia. So I end up doing most of my work I. The evenings as I have run out of time during the day. It is ok though as I am more productive in the evenings.
I don’t really miss working with people as I go into people homes and it is very social and fun anyway without the bitchiness of some work places
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I started working from home this year and I looooooooooooooooooooove it! The dining table is my desk and I get WAY MORE done than I do those times I venture into the office (which is less than 1km away, so…. yeah, I know).
I do find though, that as someone who is already naturally inclined to be alone and to write or listen rather than talk, I am losing my voice for lack of talking*! In fact, I think I’ve started mumbling when I actually DO talk – people have started asking me to repeat myself a lot lately. Oops!
(* a LOT of my friends, family and even the other half are currently overseas so I’m really not getting out much… AND I LOVE IT!)
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I work from home. And I’m not so much a fan of it. I have work documents throughout my home, that before being a work from homer, used to remain in the office. I dont get to socialise, and sometimes I’m tempted to watch Dr Phil. Hanging out for the day the business is running at a better profit and I can get an office.
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I would love to have the option and I’ve always wanted to do it, but if I am honest, it probably wouldn’t be good for me. I am a procrastinator as it is, I can only imagine how bad this would get if I am at home and there are no colleagues to see me reading someone’s blog or looking at pictures of cute animals.
Also, how do you avoid not eating crap while you’re at home all day? I imagine I’d easily get through a pack of Tim Tams every single day if I was at home.
Just a pointless observation, I notices both you and Mia always include “wait, what?” in every single article you write, it’s like you have a rule that you have to include this phrase.
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Re not eating crap, I get around this by not buying it and having a great variety of teas at my disposal.
I’ve realised over time that it’s the hand-to-face movement that I need, not food itself, when I’m working (says the girl who used to work with a large Nutella jar on her desk)
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It’s true Jess! I have worked from home exclusively for the last 16 months after my son was born and I nibble all day long!
But, I get A LOT more work done than someone in the office – I know this because yesterday I went into the office and the amount of chit chat and coffee breaks/nothing meetings that went on, I left feeling like I did half of what I do at home.
The different at home is, I set my timesheet running for the time I am at the desk, pause it when I stop for a coffee break/quick switch to the news and start it again. When they pay me for 6 hours a day – they get 6 hours a day. Because I need to work my 6 hours around my kids, I often work early mornings/late nights and so can get things done that couldn’t be done at other times.
Downside is that it is harder to get people to submit things when you are not there and it does get lonely occasionally.
I’m actually looking forward to my one day in the office next year. Fancy that! (and hopefully stop nibbling – at least for one day a week!)
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Ha! I’m at home today. Usually only do it a couple of times a month. And I DO have cake! I made a cherry and lemon cake yesterday and I treated myself to a slice at morning tea time
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Today I’m in the office but everyone else is either working from home or working remotely as they are on work trips. So I’m as alone as I would be if I was at home, I just also get to answer the phones.
I love working somewhere with the flexibility that I can work from home when needed, but I prefer the interaction of working in an office (it is not normally empty just today). However I’m not a Mum and I can imagine that when the time comes I will love having that option. My only rule is that when I work at home, I work in the study. Otherwise I find the whole house fills with work and I want home to be a sanctuary, a place for me.
I think it is great that there is increasing flexibility in workplaces and I really believe that as the NBN rolls out it will only increase (whatever you think about how they are physically doing it, building the extra infrastructure is going to be great).
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I am contemplating the move from office to home (haven’t broached the subject with my boss yet.. ) but am worried my productivity will go down rather than up. I am easily distracted by fabulous websites (hello, Mamamia) and not so fabulous ones. But this is the first job I have had where the option has been realistic. I would love to be home, to bake cookies and create inspiring dinner meals. To sit down with my 11 year old after school and help with homework rather than yell about why it wasn’t done the next morning as we rush out the door at 7am. I don’t know how to justify my desire to be a better mum to my boss, while trying to convince her that my work will still get done. I work in Training and Development so my work is computer based, but hard to show genuine outcomes as some of my projects will spread over the next 5 years. But I really want to give at home work a go.
I went back to work when my son was 6 months old and have worked full time ever since (my before and after school care workers are good friends) I think it is time I shifted the balance towards my son.. Does anyone have some tips and tricks to raise this discussion with my boss?
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I haven’t had any experience in asking this so any advice I give here is just my two cents and how I would go about it if I were in your position!
Boss’ and managers love solutions. If I were to go to a boss to ask about working from home, I would actually already have it all planned out. Maybe have a ‘transition’ phase where you work from home two days per week and see how productivity goes? Also plan out how you would structure your day and see what the boss’ expectations are about what time you complete the work in (as in you might want to do it at night but they want it done within 9-5). All depends on the type of work you do. But that’s my advice – plan it out as much as possible and then go approach them! They love it when you already have the solution for them – means they don’t have to do as much hard work
(at least I did!!)
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Try Googling “Flexible work arrangement proposal form” or something similar.
I know that Microsoft Office “Templates” has some information on this.
I used their template as a starting point and modified it to my needs when requesting my role be made part-time when returning to work after my first child. Basically when I suggested it to my boss and HR they looked at me like I was an alien, but when I suggested I would put a proposal together for them they were happy.
Basically they were happy for me to come up with my own solution.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/flexible-work-arrangement-proposal-form-TC001219797.aspx
Good luck.
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I’ve worked from home for myself for 4 years and was sooo grateful for that throughout my complicated pregnancy. Now that my daughter is 14 months I am especially glad I have my own business and don’t have to work to someone else’s schedule. It’s awesome!
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I have been working from home for 7 years now and I do find it lonely. I miss office interactions and water cooler gossip. I also find it hard to constantly be self motivated without that office buzz. On the plus side I have so much flexibility and I can be available for my kids and friends. This is a double edged sword however because I do have to remind my family that I do work. I guess the grass is always greener and if I ever do get an office job I might look back and think ‘wow I had it good”.
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