Technology: Working from home is not for slackers

Brent Snow

Working from home is not a recent discovery. It has been around for a very long time and the number of people doing it have been increasing every year. However, there still seems to be a lot of misunderstanding about what working from home really means. Until you have experienced it, your perception of what it is will most likely be incorrect.

When you hear about someone working from home what comes to mind? Do you turn green with envy? Perhaps the word ‘slacker' comes to mind? How about phrases such as ‘impossible', ‘too hard', ‘wish my job allowed that' or ‘I haven't been able to get it to work for me?'  

There are probably a dozen or more different responses that would typify the way people think about working from home. Over the years I have heard many of them when I tell people that I work from home. Most common is, how do I get a job like that?! Clearly, they do not understand it.

When considering work from home, whether as an employer for your workers or as a worker yourself, there are some key issues for you to consider. The primary areas for you to consider are: why work from home; equipment; environment; mentality and job suitability.

Why work from home?
I believe there needs to be a good reason why you need to work from home.  Perhaps it is the type of job you have, the hours you work, or your family situation. For some it is the savings in travel.

I remember my commute in Los Angeles; two-and-a-half hours each way. I just cringe when I think about all the things I could have done in those five hours every day, both for my employer as well as for me and my family. You can only listen to Tony Robbins and Steven Covey audio CDs so many times in that 1250 hours a year.  In my current situation, I am able to give my employer or my family an extra three to four hours a day.

Evaluate your reasons and make sure they are reasonable and sound before approaching your employer or deciding for yourself.

Equipment
These days it is almost impossible to work from home without a computer, an internet connection and various other pieces of office equipment. After working from home for a few years, I think there is a basic list of items that you need to work effectively.

Computer - A laptop provides the best versatility. It is easier to take to the office for repairs or help desk support or when you travel. Of course, you will need all the extras such as a docking station that allows you to attach a mouse, keyboard and proper sized monitor, webcam and a good headset for those long conference calls.

Internet connection - ADSL will work for most people, but if you can get ADSL2 or cable you will find that you will generally have a better experience, particularly if you connect to your work via a SSL-VPN or other remote access connector. I am in the country and can only get standard ADSL. I cannot wait for the new National Broadband Network!

Phone - A standard landline can work for you, but if your employer has an IP Telephony system then you may have a better option. Most IP Telephony systems have what is called a soft phone. This is a piece of software that is installed on your computer and looks and functions like your office phone with your same extension number. It will make it much easier for you to contact your colleagues and for them to contact you and it saves on costs.

Printer - Try to get a good quality laser printer so that you can have quality printing and better reliability.

An ergonomic chair and the right desk can be very beneficial as well for the long hours.

Environment
Your work environment is a very important consideration. It really can impact on your productivity. Here are a few words of advice that I hope you will take to heart. If you do these things then you will not feel like you are at work 24 hours a day.

First, separate work from home. Do everything possible to physically separate your office at home from the place where you spend time with your family or where you take time to relax. I guess I am blessed enough to have a room that is designated for my office. My family know that when I am in the office I am working.

I do not spend my down time on the internet or reading or any other activity in the office. I always go elsewhere so that I have a mental separation from work and can relax with my family or with a hobby/personal time.  When I step into my office my mind goes into work mode. When I step out of the office I am either taking a break, having lunch, or going home (so to speak). 

Second, discuss your work conditions with your family or anyone else living with you. They need to know when they can interrupt you and when they cannot. This is very important to your productivity. Constant interruptions can be very detrimental to working from home. Good communication with  them can alleviate this problem.

Third, remove any distractions that you might have surrounding you. An example would be to make sure the dog is not in the office with you or the cat jumping up in front of your computer screen. Perhaps it is a television, gaming computer or an iPad alerting you to new personal mail every five minutes that needs to be removed. Try to create an office environment similar to what you would find at work.

Mentality
If you are considering working from home you need to ask yourself a few questions. Can I be disciplined enough to put in the hours at home and not get distracted by work on the home or in the yard? Will I be able to handle working alone without the constant interaction and support of my colleagues? Will my family or people I am living with support me by giving me the uninterrupted time?

Working from home can be a lonely job and it takes someone who is mentally tough to be able to do so. I have seen a number of colleagues try to work from home, but have given up due to various reasons. Working from home is difficult. I have seen it work and I have seen it fail. It all depends on how the individual is able to manage the situation. 

Here are a few tips that might help with the mental battle that goes on when working from home.

Always take a break - This is important whether you are in the office or at home, but we tend to take fewer breaks when working from home.

Go outside and get some fresh air - get out in the sun once in a while. Your body probably needs to generate a little vitamin D anyway. Taking a walk during lunch really energises you and helps reduce the stress levels. It also helps you appreciate the fact that you are able to work from home.

Be consistent with your hours - It is important to have a pattern that your body can follow and that your family can follow. It helps you mentally to know that it is time for you to go to work or time for you to come home.

Get dressed for work - Do not get up and spend all day working in your pyjamas. You have to make the mental shift to working. If you are casual about it, your work ethic will become casual.

Be honest - Being honest to yourself and to your employer will help you mentally. You do not need feelings of guilt on your mind because you have not given your employer an honest day's work. Honesty is very important in this situation because your employer is extending a great amount of trust in you to work from home and still get your job done.

Visit the office - It is important for you to have time with your colleagues. Go to the office for a day every week or every other week. Have meetings with them, go to lunch or just go and visit a few different people for a catch-up.

Communicate - Talk to your boss about how you are coping with working from home. It is very important that you communicate with your family or the people you are living with about how you or they are coping with you working from home. These types of communications help keep you in check and allow you to adjust to different situations. 

Job suitability
Remember that there are always jobs that are not suitable for work from home.  Look at the key tasks in your job and determine whether they are suitable for remote working. Perhaps there are tasks that cannot be done at home. For example, if you are required to be at the client's office every other day then you may only be able to work from home for a day or two a week. You may need to juggle your tasks around and only do certain tasks on a Wednesday when you come into the office.

My sister-in-law has worked from home as a legal secretary for years for many of the top firms in Los Angeles. It has worked out well for her being a single mother and being able to be home for her son. You may not have thought that a legal secretary could work from home, but it does work.

Working from home is not a luxury, how-do-I-get-that-job type of situation. It can be really difficult working from home. It took about six to eight months for me and for my family to get used to the situation. However,  If done correctly it can offer a better work-life balance, save numerous hours of commuting, cater for family needs and give your employer a more productive and happy employee.   

 

Brent Snow is director, global support and Asia-Pacific regional IT for Baker & McKenzie.
www.bakermckenzie.com