Roundtable Responses: Working From Home

Posted by: Katie | Posted on: April 03, 2008 | Comments 11

For the first time in my life as a career woman, I’ve recently had the opportunity to work part-time from my home and I am loving it. I’m able to get things done on my time and in the space that I designed specifically to my tastes, there’s peace and quiet (read: no speakerphone-happy neighbors) for me to think, research and write, and my cat is happier than ever with someone constantly around to scratch her head!

But, of course it’s not all kitties and cream.

I’ve heard (and had) an assortment of concerns about the growing trend of flexible work arrangements and specifically, working from home:

- Am I looked at as less effective or not as committed if I’m not in the office?
- How do I stave off the lure of to-dos during time set aside for work?
- Do I lose out on opportunities by not having face time with my coworkers and boss?
- Is it time to install a landline in the house or up my cell phone plan? These phone conferences are killing me!
- Is it even possible to have work-only time with kids in the house?
- Will I get rusty with my people and presentation skills?

Of course, the list goes on and there are countless angles and schools of thought on at-home work. So, I asked a few fwm staffers to share their stories of working from home, which I’ll share with you blog readers over the next few days. In the meantime, please share your thoughts! Does working from home work for you?

Related tags: roundtable-topics, telecommuting

11 people have responded so far. Add your comment below.
Stephanie said:
04.04.08 8:03 a.m.
Hi, Ladies! I own a medical transcription service and I have worked from home since 1997. I have loved every minute of it, but there are two areas that have always caused me to stumble. One is the fact that work is ALWAYS THERE. This is a good problem to have, but I find myself constantly checking my email and working just a little bit longer. The other is that I always envisioned working in my PJs (if I felt like it). That doesn't work for me either. I have found that if I roll out of bed and get right to work, I am not nearly as productive. I have to make myself get up and get completely dressed, even the makeup and the shoes, or my concentration suffers. Even after 11 years, it's difficult to overcome these obstacles. The greatest blessing has been the flexibility in being home with my children. I came home to work when they were 4 and 7 years old so I've always been here when they get home from school and during summer holidays. Nothing can replace that!
Lisa said:
04.04.08 8:23 a.m.
I have worked from home since 1994. There are many benefits to this arrangement, especially if you have children. I was able to secure my work from home job from a former employer, so my best advice is to never burn any bridges with any employers. You might not be able to stand working for them in the office, but you might not mind them so much if you can work from home. I have to agree with Stephanie that the work is ALWAYS there. It's important to establish clear and unwavering boundaries as to your start and end times or you will find that you have nothing left for your family life. When working from home, there are no holidays, snow days, etc. unless YOU create them. That often means completing the work at a different time such as when the kids are in bed. Even with its challenges (feelings of isolation, always having the work around, etc), working from home presents the best way for me to achieve balance in my life.
Viviana said:
04.04.08 11:23 a.m.
Welcome, Stephanie and Lisa! I am so glad to hear you comment on the "always there" concept--it's a new experience for me now that I spend part of my time in a home office. Saying goodbye to Snow Days shall be a teary-eyed experience. I'm going to give some thought to the idea of getting up and "getting ready" even though I won't be leaving the house. So far, I must confess...I've definitely been a member of the jammies and no-makeup sector of the telecommuting workforce. :-) I put in more office time than usual this week and I've noticed that this is the best my hair has looked in a loooonnng time.
Jeannie said:
04.04.08 5:42 p.m.
I've been home since the end of 2005 to care for my children. Since then I have gone into business ventures which allows me to work from home. I can say it's not as easy as it may seem especially if you're use to working specific hours in the day. Having three young children all under the age of 5 made things even more difficult. Finding ways to have a routine was a challenged, but I've learned to make my daily schedule flexible. Was leaving my stable job to try and work from home all worth it? OF COURSE. Even if this is challenging for me, I see the long term benefits of being at home. My priority is my children. No one can raise my kids better than me. I consider being at home to be an investment in my family. I know as each of my children enter grade school, I will have that time to focus on work, until then, early morning hours and late night shifts are when I find the time to work. And sleep? I'll also catch up when the kids are in grade school :o)!
Quinisha Watkins said:
04.04.08 10:57 p.m.
I agree with all of you. Life isn't always going to deal you a winning hand, but keep in mind most of us asked for it. I mean when it comes to raising kids and all. The one thing I always said was when the children all get in school, all the glory be to God. That is when the ball will get to really rollin. We all can be patient and sacrifice until the day come to have victory over our situations. Let me just add that I would love to be able to do my dream and take care of home all together. True, nobody said the road would be easy and weaping may endure for a night...but joy will always come in the morning. It won't always be hard. I believe that if it was, why on earth would anyone want to do it. Just remember that when that day come, how much more thankful you would be for what you had to go through in order to receive what you've gained. I'm waiting for my time to shine and be able to do some of what all of you are doing now. You're all so blessed.
Viviana said:
04.05.08 5:03 p.m.
@Jeannie, welcome! Do we ever catch up on the sleep? EVER !???? :-) @Quinisha, I have a dear friend who has seven children, and she homeschools them! (pausing while we all catch our breath at that) Something you wrote reminded me of a bit of her widsom: When she is extremely tired she just tries to say, "This is the season I am in right now." I really like that. My darling son can ask hundreds of questions in a sitting. I don't know the exact number but it rises when I am otherwise busy, or so it seems. I try to enjoy this season I'm in, well prior to the teen years...because at least my son still likes to talk to me. ;-)
Quinisha Watkins said:
04.05.08 7:43 p.m.
Yes I did have to catch my breath. Talking about someone in a much more difficult situation. She must really understand what being bothered by all of the curiosity. Ha Ha! Now she would have a lot of knowledge and patience that I haven't even tapped into yet. Children already want to act very independent. My daughter and I was signing up for her school and I went to grab her hand, she told me she wasn't a baby anymore and she was just three then! When school had started, I bent down to kiss her and she acted as if she was embarrased! What is the world coming too??? HaHa! That is when I realized one day she really is going to grow up. It kind of hurt my feelings, but I was glad to know that she wanted to do things on her own and from a little distance.
Quinisha Watkins said:
04.06.08 9:50 a.m.
I was thinking on this morning and I came to the conclusion, If it called for it, I don't have to work from home always. I mean, what about other engagments that you have to attend to? What about meeting with other people? How does all of that work?
Sookiegg said:
04.06.08 1:24 p.m.
When I started my business 2 years ago, I had to dedicate time in the office away from my children (of course they are older). I told them when my door is closed I am at work, even if I had my jamies on and coffee in hand. I would dedicate so many hours in my office in the AM take a lunch break to be with my children, and depending on how much I got done would depend on how much time I spent with them in the afternoon. They knew if I got to many interuptions from them then less time in the afternoon with them. When I schedual actual apointments with clients I tried to wait till the late afternoon or early PM so my husband would be home for the kids. But of course my business works around the clients free time which is usually late afternoon or weekends. self dicipline is very important
Viviana said:
04.07.08 9:36 p.m.
Quinisha, you're absolutely right--sometimes meetings happen. :-) I like that they happen less when you're telecommuting. Also, I have to say that while it's not possible to do every job well from home, when companies think creatively and flexibly, many jobs *can* be done that way. I've been in many a meeting where several people sat around a conference table and two or three more of us joined in via telephone. Most decent conference areas have great speakerphone systems that sit in the middle of the table so that several people can "be there."
Quinisha Watkins said:
04.08.08 3:57 p.m.
Thanks Viviana, that sounds like it is a great benefit to use and very convenient!
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