Lesson 1: Is Telecommuting Right For You?
Pros and cons
Telecommuting can be a great way to make a living, but it can also be a disaster for either you, your boss or both of you. You’ll need to know what you’re getting yourself into beforehand so that you can make an informed decision. The following outlines some real-world benefits and pitfalls of working from home.
The benefits of telecommuting
Being in control of your own schedule can do wonders for your life, from eliminating child care issues to allowing you to pursue your own interests like college courses or gardening. It can also give you a great feeling of control because your time finally belongs to you alone.
Less driving to and from work means more time that can be spent at home with family. Many telecommuters enjoy eating breakfast with the spouse and kids before they head off to work and school, and they can also be there as soon as the kids get off the bus in the afternoon. Their flexible schedule may also allow them to attend sports events, school plays or other school activities. A childless telecommuter can visit his/her spouse for lunch and/or have dinner waiting when the spouse gets home.
Since you are the office as a telecommuter, you are in control of how the office is run. There will be no screaming boss in the background or co-workers bickering or gossiping at the next desk. As a result, your stress level may be reduced significantly by working outside the office.
As I mentioned, your commute will be virtually nonexistent, so you will have more time for yourself and your own activities. You’d be surprised at the amount of time people spend in their cars getting to and from work each day. Some studies say sitting in traffic takes up years of your life. You’ll have those years back as a telecommuter.
Successfully working from home will give you the confidence of knowing you have done something all by yourself. You have set up your own office, negotiated with your boss (or found a job on your own), set your own hours, and taken control of your career. It’s a great feeling.
As a telecommuter, you will save money on gas by not going to the office each day. You may not have to buy as many work clothes because your home office will probably be “business casual.” And you probably won’t be eating out every day at lunchtime. The savings can add up significantly.
The pitfalls of telecommuting
Now the bad news. Notice many of the “benefits of telecommuting” are also listed here as pitfalls. For nearly every plus, there is a minus to keep in mind before making your decision. Having a flexible schedule is great, but you have to actually stick to it. It will be very easy to fall into a trap of watching TV at lunch, talking on the phone to friends, playing with the kids, etc. You will find yourself “stealing” five minutes here and there as you progress through the day simply because you can get away with it – don’t! Those five minutes add up quickly, and soon your work production will suffer. Beware of setting your own schedule.
Having more time with the family means you will also have more time for the family. Many times, more is expected from the telecommuter at home. A spouse may think that because you work from home, you should get housework done during the day. Kids may not understand why they need a babysitter when you’re right there in the next room working. You’ll have to be sure to set clear boundaries with the family before taking on a telecommuting position.
No office politics also means you can be left out of the loop for important office decisions. Be sure to keep yourself in the forefront of everyone’s mind so that you’re not forgotten. Also, working from home can be very isolating. You may find you really miss having someone to turn and chat with throughout the day.
These are just a few of the pros and cons of telecommuting. You can check the sections in Telecommute! on "The Benefits to the Employee" and "The Downside of Telecommuting" for more information.
