(c) Copyright 2002, Angela Wu
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Telecommuting is a big thing these days: no more commuting
nightmares, more time with the kids, more time for yourself,
flexible hours, and increased productivity are just some of
the reasons why more and more people are looking for
opportunities to work from home.
But what about the disadvantages? Telecommuting can be a
wonderful experience for some people. For others, it just
isn't suitable. Some of the difficult things about working
from home include:
== Constant distractions: a dirty house, the TV, the eager
dog that wants to be walked ... you name it. Do you have
the willpower to ignore distractions and concentrate on
your work?
== 'Out of sight, out of mind': telecommuters may not be
kept 'in the loop' with regards to company announcements,
team issues, etc. Plus even if you consistently turn out
excellent work, your co-workers and boss may not
associate it with you since they don't physically
see you.
== Checking in with the office: telecommuting doesn't
necessarily give you the freedom to arrange your
schedule entirely at will. Many employers require
telecommuters to check in with the office on a regular
basis -- even physically come in to attend meetings,
or simply be available to your coworkers when they
need you. It's the rare employer that will allow you
to work from home everyday, all day. Be prepared to
compromise.
== Obsessive work: your home becomes your office, in a
way, even if you have a dedicated room just for working.
You may be unable to resist the temptation to do "just
one more thing" ... and before you know it, you spend
much more time working than if you physically went to
the office.
== Pressure to 'prove yourself': in order to justify
working from home, some telecommuters feel tremendous
pressure to prove that they really are much more
productive at home than their coworkers in the office.
This can lead to long hours and significant stress.
== Difficulty getting help: you're at home. Your coworkers
are in the office. If you have a problem, how will you
get help? It can be more difficult to explain (or
receive explanations) by telephone or email, then to
physically be shown how to do something.
== Lack of social contact: many people genuinely enjoy
talking to their co-workers. When you work from home,
you don't have the benefit of that type of 'casual'
social interaction... for example, you can't easily
invite someone to "go for coffee". It's very easy
to feel isolated and alone.
== Misconceptions about home workers: some people believe
that anyone who "works from home" is really just lazing
around and having a vacation at the company's expense.
Can you handle remarks of this nature from coworkers,
or even friends and family?
Be aware, too, that not every job is suitable for
telecommuting. A writer can easily work from home, for
example, but a medical lab technician cannot.
Telecommuting can be a productive alternative for some
people. However, it's important to also look at the
problems surrounding it as well. Make no mistake,
telecommuting is a change in *lifestyle*! Is it the
right choice for you?
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Angela used to telecommute at a large corporation, but
now operates her own business. Her popular free newsletter
offers a practical, hype-free help on how to start a work-
at-home career. Pick up your free subscription today at
http://www.homebasedwork.com/newsletter.html
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