Today’s WAHM Wednesday is dedicated to my memories of a former coworker who, when hearing that someone had taken their work home and was not coming into the office on that particular day, would snicker and say:
“I hope that they enjoy their day off.”
I believe that it’s attitudes like hers that have kept many companies from adopting more liberal telecommuting policies, despite the fact that telecommuting saves companies money.
My own feelings about the subject is that work is work, whether it is done from home or in an office building. In fact, from my perspective, working from home has the potential to be more efficient than working in an office. (There’s certainly less absenteeism!)
What’s your take? Do you think it’s more efficient to work from an office, or out of your house? Where do you get more done?
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Carol // Sep 5, 2007 at
I used to telecommute and worked 16 hours a week. I got more done in that 16 hours a week than I did when in the office. The office has too many distractions like other co-workers, their visitors, boring meetings, boring training sessions, announcements over the PA system, etc.
At home I have quiet (usually)and can pick my productive hours (early morning)
Carol
http://www.HomeschoolCPA.com
2 Lori // Sep 6, 2007 at
Since working from home, I’ve never worked harder in my life. Like Carol, I can choose my best hours, but I’m working far beyond the average 8-hour day. My husband works from home one day a week because, as he puts it, he can get more accomplished without all the office interruptions. He’ll work long into the evening without noticing the time. I think that’s key – when employers watch the clock, so do employees, and it’s rare you’ll get more out of an employee who’s working under an over-structured time requirement.
3 Melissa R. Garrett // Sep 6, 2007 at
When my sister was put on “house arrest” during her high-risk pregnancy, her boss allowed her to work from home a few days a week while a co-worker worked the remaining days in the office. Guess who got more done?! I find that, as long as I have a schedule and daily goals, I can accomplish what I need to, even with distractions. Granted, my work load is fairly light right now (by my own choosing), so we’ll see how dedicated I am when all three kids are in school and I have six hours to work 😉
4 Laura // Sep 6, 2007 at
Hi Carol, Lori, and Melissa!
Carol — you are definitely right about office distractions. Plus, people would come into my cubicle several times a day and ask me questions about how to do their work.
Lori, I think that you have a good insight. Rather than encouraging people to do their best it tends to encourage them to do just enough to bet by.
Melissa — You’re right that scheduling is very important. But, that’s true in the office environment as well. I remember a coworker who constantly complained about all the overtime she was putting in. As I got to know her better I realized her work habits were really bad. She took personal calls on company times. She took many, many smoke breaks. And she stood in the hall gossiping with other workers instead of working. It’s no wonder she had to work long hours …
5 silvermine // Sep 13, 2007 at
Meetings are usually better in person (but still quite doable at home). If I needed to write or code, however, WAY better at home. You’re more comfy, you have everything you need, and you have whatever conditions you work best in. Personally, I work best with quiet (which you really don’t get at work!) and no one “stopping by” my desk to ask a quick question — every interruption meant another 10 minutes or so to get my mind back on track.
Most companies have nice break rooms, but my kitchen is closer and better stocked. 😉
6 Laura // Sep 13, 2007 at
Hi Silvermine!
You bring up an interesting point. I think the type of work being done does make a difference.