Ryan
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 16, 2014 13:40:36 GMT -5
Posts: 2,202
|
Post by Ryan on Sept 27, 2019 11:20:16 GMT -5
In the last year, I've worked from home more than I have in the past. Prior to this, I used to just "manage my work" from home if I had to stay home, now I actually work from home occasionally. Our company has the policy of "if you need to, you can", but it's still somewhat frowned upon. Moreso because not everyone has the type of job where it can work, so managers don't want to feel like those employees are being excluded.
I've just found lately that I can get so much more done at home than at work. I have 5 direct reports and they'll come up to me all day with questions. I don't mind that, but I feel like a good portion of the talk is "work related" but not necessary. Kind of an inefficient way of filling me in on things that are probably more efficiently done at once. STill though, not sure how to discourage this without sounding like I'm closing the door. Working from home kind of automatically does that for me. They know they can call me when they need something, but they usually don't because it's not urgent.
Not only that, it's just a nicer balance. I can start work 30 minutes earlier, take a walk mid-morning, eat lunch, walk after lunch, and then do another walk mid afternoon. At work, I walk to the bathroom and I have people stopping to talk to me. In a perfect world, I wish I could work in the office 2-3 days a week and home the rest.
Anyone who works at home think it's not all it's cracked up to be?
|
|
hoops902
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:21:29 GMT -5
Posts: 11,978
|
Post by hoops902 on Sept 27, 2019 11:37:00 GMT -5
I worked from home for about 3-4 years before my current job. I loved it. A big part of my job was to be on project calls for most of the day, and it was SO much nicer to just toss my cell phone on speaker and walk around the house...rather than sitting at my desk with a phone glued to my ear (I hated headsets).
It also eliminated a lot of people from asking me questions just because I'm the one that knew the answer and they could talk to me in person (and have me come look at their computer to see what they were doing)...having to send an email to me asking a complicated question about something which clearly was not my job seemed to be a good deterrent.
The downside was that my home office was in the basement, so in the winter I felt like I was hibernating which I didn't love. In the spring I was taking long lunches to go play golf and getting out of the house every day. In the winter, it felt like continuous cabin fever.
|
|
steph08
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 3, 2011 13:06:01 GMT -5
Posts: 5,444
|
Post by steph08 on Sept 27, 2019 12:27:10 GMT -5
I love working from home. At my last job, I worked 2 days at home and 3 days in the office. In my current job, I am usually at the office once a week and at home 4 days. It didn't start out that way, it progressed over time.
It saves me almost 2 hours/day of commuting time. I usually split that time so it is an extra hour in the morning with my kids before they are off to school/daycare and an extra hour working before they get home.
My team is spread across the country - only one person in my department is at my office location, and she works at home as much as I do. We coordinate our days so we are in the office the same day for things we need to work on together. There is really no reason for me to be at the office instead of at home.
|
|
thyme4change
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
Posts: 40,327
|
Post by thyme4change on Sept 27, 2019 12:38:47 GMT -5
I am not entirely successful working at home. The biggest reason is I don't have a good set up to use. Our one desk houses our desktop, and it is always a mess. If I had a docking station for my laptop and a monitor I would likely be a lot more productive. So, in general I just come to work. (Although, my success rate here isn't 100% either.)
The problem I am having now is my 'boss' is very, very chatty and very, very needy, and I am his first stop most of the time. He is in over his head, so the group is really struggling, and I spend 50% of my time listening to our leader churn useless information over and over. My morale is low. Working from home for a week or two might give me some relief, but I can't think of how to justify it. Maybe I should get some plastic surgery on my face and have the doctor require me to stay in the house for a few weeks.
|
|
|
Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Sept 27, 2019 12:42:35 GMT -5
When I was working, there were parts of my job where I had no option but to work at work. But when I was data crunching or writing, I got sooo much more done at home. The last 5 years I was working, I used this to work while visiting TD. While he was at work, I was at work so we got to spend time together but not burn vacation.
The only drawback I found doing this was when I had hit a mental wall, I couldn’t talk to coworkers or my boss to jumpstart things, I had to walk away a bit and clear my brain.
I did like the hands on stuff I was doing in the lab too though, so my working from work was 3-4 weeks in the lab, a week (or more) working from home. As long as I produced, my boss was good with this.
|
|
wvugurl26
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 15:25:30 GMT -5
Posts: 21,665
|
Post by wvugurl26 on Sept 27, 2019 12:46:09 GMT -5
Some people in my office work at home 1 day a week. The other group in our space works at home 2-3 days a week.
I work at home when it suits me. If I'm going out of town, doing online training, bad weather, or I'm getting home super late the night before I will work at home.
If I have a multi day training, I start to feel cabin fever after 2 days. I like having the option. Since I don't do it regularly, I have the flexibility to work at home when I need to. Official policy in my group for my location is one day per week. I exceed that probably every two months or so and no one says anything.
I have a decent enough set up but I could use a better chair and desk. It's far down the priority list.
|
|
pooks
Familiar Member
Joined: Mar 11, 2017 16:45:43 GMT -5
Posts: 625
Today's Mood: Angry
|
Post by pooks on Sept 27, 2019 12:46:49 GMT -5
DH works from home 95% of the time. In most ways, it is good. No commute, being able to go out in the middle of the day, not getting up early. The only negative is that he is horrible about leaving a problem sit. He can eat dinner and then go back to work, so he never really leaves work. Some work is always nagging at him to just get a little more done. The only other issue is cabin fever in the winter. It is coming and he is already getting antsy.
|
|
Ryan
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 16, 2014 13:40:36 GMT -5
Posts: 2,202
|
Post by Ryan on Sept 27, 2019 13:05:22 GMT -5
I am not entirely successful working at home. The biggest reason is I don't have a good set up to use. Our one desk houses our desktop, and it is always a mess. If I had a docking station for my laptop and a monitor I would likely be a lot more productive. So, in general I just come to work. (Although, my success rate here isn't 100% either.) The problem I am having now is my 'boss' is very, very chatty and very, very needy, and I am his first stop most of the time. He is in over his head, so the group is really struggling, and I spend 50% of my time listening to our leader churn useless information over and over. My morale is low. Working from home for a week or two might give me some relief, but I can't think of how to justify it. Maybe I should get some plastic surgery on my face and have the doctor require me to stay in the house for a few weeks. I used to have that problem. I put my laptop on the kitchen table and it drove my wife nuts, mostly because we have an office in the basement. I didn't like using that office, even though it was finished, because I felt so isolated down there. When we did the addition, we made another office upstairs and I have my work setup there. I was never good at working off a laptop, I needed a full monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. We have a lot of chatty people in the office, but maybe people say that around me. I totally get needing to take a break, but it's like a multiplying effect in an office. I might just go down the hall to chat with someone, then I get back to my desk and I have 2 people come up to me looking to take a break from their work.
|
|
Ryan
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 16, 2014 13:40:36 GMT -5
Posts: 2,202
|
Post by Ryan on Sept 27, 2019 13:07:01 GMT -5
When I was working, there were parts of my job where I had no option but to work at work. But when I was data crunching or writing, I got sooo much more done at home. The last 5 years I was working, I used this to work while visiting TD. While he was at work, I was at work so we got to spend time together but not burn vacation. The only drawback I found doing this was when I had hit a mental wall, I couldn’t talk to coworkers or my boss to jumpstart things, I had to walk away a bit and clear my brain. I did like the hands on stuff I was doing in the lab too though, so my working from work was 3-4 weeks in the lab, a week (or more) working from home. As long as I produced, my boss was good with this. The huge upside would be the downside as well, no people to talk to. I mean, I really love taking a break from my work to chit-chat but in a big office it can get away from you quickly.
|
|
thyme4change
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
Posts: 40,327
|
Post by thyme4change on Sept 27, 2019 13:38:01 GMT -5
DH works from home 95% of the time. In most ways, it is good. No commute, being able to go out in the middle of the day, not getting up early. The only negative is that he is horrible about leaving a problem sit. He can eat dinner and then go back to work, so he never really leaves work. Some work is always nagging at him to just get a little more done. The only other issue is cabin fever in the winter. It is coming and he is already getting antsy. I was talking to a guy who worked out of his home before it was easy. He did a lot by phone, fax and courier! He told me that people he knew that also worked out of the house all had some routine that signaled the end of the day at work. If they didn't do the routine, they never "got away". Some would have their office and work stuff in a separate room, and they would tidy up, turn off the lights and close the door. They would literally "leave work". Another guy would always wear a tie while working, and at the end of the work day, he would take his tie off and change into a t-shirt. (Apparently, he always wore a tie, but not always pants, lol.) It is important to be able to separate work from home - just to give yourself a break. That is a huge problem I see with cell phones. Some people are "connected" and working 24 hours a day, on weekends and on vacation days. It is unhealthy.
|
|
raeoflyte
Senior Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 15:43:53 GMT -5
Posts: 14,629
|
Post by raeoflyte on Sept 27, 2019 13:40:33 GMT -5
I've been working from home for 15 months and I love it. I'm probably ruined for office life. No commute, walk the kids to and from school. I go into my office once or twice a month (3-4 hours round trip commute).
It only works because we put in a dedicated office. It's in the basement, which was ideal for my first position (quiet), not as needed for the current one, but still nice as its far enough away that dh and the kids aren't typically just shouting at me for things. I am going to put in an egress window hopefully in the next 3-6 months. I'd like to build it out a bit on the outside so I can pretend like I'm a little less underground.
When the kids aren't in school I "commute" to work by doing a short walk. Out the front door, and in the back door and down to my office.
|
|
Cookies Galore
Senior Associate
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 18:08:13 GMT -5
Posts: 10,706
|
Post by Cookies Galore on Sept 27, 2019 13:44:14 GMT -5
I work from home twice a week - Tuesday and Friday. I LOVE my work from home days. I get work done with no distraction, I can do my laundry, and I'll run errands on my lunch hour so I don't have to do them on the weekend. Plus, I can sleep in until 7 (I'm usually up at 5:45) and I log off at 3:30 and still feel like I have the day ahead of me.
|
|
travelnut11
Familiar Member
Joined: Feb 12, 2011 22:17:14 GMT -5
Posts: 639
|
Post by travelnut11 on Sept 27, 2019 14:39:09 GMT -5
I've been a full-time telecommuter for more than 15 years. It would be very, very difficult at this point to go back to the office. Once a year the remotes are flown in for training/meetings and the time in the office is so weird to me. It's so quiet. I'm used to having the radio on in the background so the silence is weird. It's fun for a few days but I'm always happy to get back to the "home" office. The life flexibility and loss of commute are the best factors. I do miss the social aspects of the office (eg. happy hours, parties, etc.) but not enough to go back. I've always lived in the midwest and my office(s) have been in California so there is some ability to exploit the time difference as well.
|
|
NastyWoman
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 20:50:37 GMT -5
Posts: 14,233
|
Post by NastyWoman on Sept 27, 2019 14:49:27 GMT -5
I would so suck at WFH. Two years back when the SHTF at work I would occasionally take work home on Friday → it would come back on Monday untouched. I just don't have what it takes to work once I leave this place
|
|
Cheesy FL-Vol
Junior Associate
"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing." -- Helen Keller
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 16:13:50 GMT -5
Posts: 6,663
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":""}
|
Post by Cheesy FL-Vol on Sept 27, 2019 17:13:03 GMT -5
I work from home and I love it. I am introverted and it suits me perfectly. I also don’t have to deal with office politics and associated BS. I am in Nashville area and home office is in TX. My job is construction related.
|
|
alabamagal
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 11:30:29 GMT -5
Posts: 8,113
|
Post by alabamagal on Sept 27, 2019 19:43:32 GMT -5
What type of jobs do you guys do that you work from home?
|
|
travelnut11
Familiar Member
Joined: Feb 12, 2011 22:17:14 GMT -5
Posts: 639
|
Post by travelnut11 on Sept 27, 2019 20:54:53 GMT -5
What type of jobs do you guys do that you work from home? Computer programmer
|
|
wvugurl26
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 15:25:30 GMT -5
Posts: 21,665
|
Post by wvugurl26 on Sept 27, 2019 21:16:04 GMT -5
Auditor. I work with people all over the United States. I just need internet and my laptop.
|
|
giramomma
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 11:25:27 GMT -5
Posts: 21,147
|
Post by giramomma on Sept 27, 2019 22:05:25 GMT -5
instructional design/project management.
|
|
steph08
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 3, 2011 13:06:01 GMT -5
Posts: 5,444
|
Post by steph08 on Sept 28, 2019 4:28:55 GMT -5
Marketing / writing
|
|
taz157
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 20:50:06 GMT -5
Posts: 12,823
|
Post by taz157 on Sept 28, 2019 8:23:42 GMT -5
Tax Accountant
|
|
Anne_in_VA
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:09:35 GMT -5
Posts: 5,502
|
Post by Anne_in_VA on Sept 28, 2019 8:36:05 GMT -5
Before I retired (in theory) I worked from home 3 or 4 days a week and was in the office the other day(s). I loved it and really only needed my laptop and phone. There were times that I needed to be in the office for meetings or video calls. I had a dedicated office space but if I didn’t go into the office for a couple of weeks I would make a lunch date with a coworker to catch up on all the office goings on.
There were here a few times when I had bronchitis and didn’t go into the office for weeks and didn’t miss it at all. I could work whatever hours I needed to as long as my work got done. My corporate office was in Indiana and the rest of my team were there too.
I was a Supplier Diversity Manager in a healthcare organization.
|
|
Ava
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 30, 2011 12:23:55 GMT -5
Posts: 4,141
|
Post by Ava on Sept 28, 2019 9:11:46 GMT -5
I have the set up to work from home but it's not allowed on a regular basis. It's just to avoid interruptions due to car break, inclement weather, sickness, etc.
It's a lifesaver during winter because I don't have to worry about snow anymore. I dread driving when it's snowing and, as long as I continue working here, I don't have to. Also, if I have a severe cold I don't have to drive feeling drowsy and stay there all day. I don't have to use PTO for a cold. My manager doesn't expect us to do a full day of work if we are feeling under the weather, but as long as we do something for the day, we don't have to use PTO. It's a benefit I truly appreciate and I am very grateful for it.
If I were able to work remotely everyday I would move out of this area in a heartbeat. What worries me about working from home is the fact that I live alone. Work makes me get up in the morning, have a schedule, get ready, look nice, interact with people, etc. I guess I would have to make sure I have a stronger social life if I am ever allowed to work from home permanently. But overall, yes, I would love that.
|
|
|
Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Sept 28, 2019 10:55:34 GMT -5
What type of jobs do you guys do that you work from home? I was a research scientist. I could not do 100% of my job at home, but I was able to structure it such that I could spend periods of time working from home.
|
|
Cookies Galore
Senior Associate
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 18:08:13 GMT -5
Posts: 10,706
|
Post by Cookies Galore on Sept 28, 2019 11:39:55 GMT -5
What type of jobs do you guys do that you work from home? Medical editor
|
|
GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:33:09 GMT -5
Posts: 11,291
|
Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Sept 30, 2019 16:30:05 GMT -5
While the convenience of working from home appeals to me, I abhor the mixing of home and work life. I NEED to keep them separate. I tend toward the “all or nothing” approach to work. Trying to balance work AND home at home would mean one would lose out. No thanks.
|
|
debthaven
Senior Associate
Joined: Apr 7, 2015 15:26:39 GMT -5
Posts: 10,270
|
Post by debthaven on Sept 30, 2019 16:54:09 GMT -5
DH started working from home two years ago, when his company closed down. He and his former partner both kept their own clients and went freelance. DH was dreading it but to his surprise, he loves it! DH still goes into Big City at least twice a week (sometimes three times) to either have lunch with friends or have lunch with/work with clients. I teach (adjunct professor) four days a week. Friday is our At Home day. I prep/mark. We generally spend most of the day working in companiable silence. Sometimes we go out to lunch.
My dream would be to work from home 2 days/week and teach 3 days/week instead of 4.
|
|
TheOtherMe
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 14:40:52 GMT -5
Posts: 26,956
Mini-Profile Name Color: e619e6
|
Post by TheOtherMe on Sept 30, 2019 17:01:19 GMT -5
My opportunity to work from home when I was still working for the federal government did not include internet access. It meant dragging everything home with me that was on paper and working on it.
Unless I had a deadline, I found I was not productive.
I have no idea of what it would be like in today's world with internet access.
|
|
debthaven
Senior Associate
Joined: Apr 7, 2015 15:26:39 GMT -5
Posts: 10,270
|
Post by debthaven on Sept 30, 2019 17:14:36 GMT -5
I have no idea of what it would be like in today's world with internet access.
I think it can go either way. I think some people set strict "office hours" and others (like my DH) work 24/7.
Obviously DH doesn't literally work 24/7. But DH works on and off from the minute he gets up till he goes to bed, except when he's out. If his clients are travelling, he sometimes works through the night. Happily that's rarer now.
I definitely could NOT do that.
|
|
TheOtherMe
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 14:40:52 GMT -5
Posts: 26,956
Mini-Profile Name Color: e619e6
|
Post by TheOtherMe on Sept 30, 2019 17:45:34 GMT -5
I prepared tax returns for people who worked all hours of the day or night because of their clients being in other countries.
I know that the IRS allows work from home for auditors. I don't know how many days a week. I would think phone calls to taxpayers shouldn't be made in the evening.
I could only do it if I had a separate office and set business hours. When the work day is over, I'd have to shut the door.
|
|