In the first post about Working from Home, I requested readers for photos of their home offices or workplaces.
I got some pictures. What amazes me is how clean all of them look (glancing at my own messy table). It’s either all of them are very tidy people, or they did some cleaning up before they took the pictures 😀
To all those who contributed, thanks!
Working from Home
Not all jobs are suitable with the work from home arrangement. But if you can, it really gets easier once you’ve settled into a routine.
The first thing that is required though is that you have adequate equipment (e.g., laptop or computer preferably with security mechanisms, and a fast internet connection).
For the Worker
Some of the advantages for the worker are as follows:
- zero commute
- flexible working hours
- better work-life balance
- more time with loved ones
What are some of the disadvantages?
- boredom
- unstable WiFi or slow or no internet connection (and the service provider is nowhere to be found)
- the need for willpower and discipline (which is difficult for some people)
- distractions because of home life
- some matters are just better handled face to face, and have to be put on hold
For the Employer
To have this kind of working concept in your company requires preparation from management. You can’t just issue a statement without preparing everyone down the line first how this is supposed to be implemented.
These are some areas that have to be looked into:
- cost for providing employees with the technological infrastructure
- what is the best work tool for your virtual teams
- how will monitoring of work be done, what kind of feedback channels do you need to set up
- how do you secure data transfer
- what do you do with employees whose jobs are not suitable for WFH
Arguably, there are two big advantages for employers.
First, they save on office space and utilities. Second, when hiring, they can cast a wider net and look for people who are not in the same geographic location.
No one knows exactly when the pandemic is going to be over. The economic and financial situations of the working world, including that of countries, are up in the air.
When this lockdown is part of our past, we can expect changes in work situations for many jobs. Whether WFH will be part of it is something to speculate about.
Read other Homebound articles for some tips on how to survive the social distancing gracefully. In the meantime, #stayathome.
