Not everyone is suited to telecommuting. In fact, some people have discovered that they simply need the structure that is offered by a traditional brick and mortar working environment.
Defining telecommuting
Telecommuting, e-commuting, e-work, telework, working at home (WAH), or working from home (WFH) is a work arrangement in which employees enjoy limited flexibility in working location and hours.
Telecommuting, options increase the employability of marginalized groups, such as mothers and fathers with small children, the disabled and people living in remote areas. It can also reduce an individual's carbon footprint, through minimizing daily commuting.
Telecommuting offers possibilities for increased service and internationalization. This is due to telecommuters in different time zones. This helps ensure that a company is virtually open for business around the clock. Telework provided an abundance of work for those who live offshore.
Telecommuting provides employee flexibility, eases working parent's burdens, increases employee productivity and may also reduce absenteeism. Virtual offices allow employers to keep valuable employees while accommodating more flexible schedules. Telecommuting may also allow employers to hire employees otherwise not available, and have facilitated productive re-engineering of order-management and customer service processes.
Telecommuting self-assessment
Are you self disciplined enough to work at home?
Many people find when working at home that they lose the drive to stick to a schedule. It becomes far too easy to make excuses about why your schedule changes. You may even find that you are not accomplishing as much working from home as you did in the office.
Do you need the stimulation of an office environment?
You may find it hard to focus on the task at hand while you are in an office. This is generally due of those around you being on the telephone or talking with others. Some people find that when working at home they miss those interruptions that might have annoyed them so much when they were in the office. You should consider speaking with your supervisor or manager before agreeing to a telecommute arrangement to see if they can assign you to an area that provides solitude. Work in that environment for a few days and determine how you feel about being cut off from co-workers.
Do you find you need direction to complete your work or before moving onto the next task?
If you are not a self directed worker you may find that you will not be suited for a telecommuting position. When you are in the office there are typically others around you whom you can seek direction. When you are working from home, that direction is not always readily available. If you are not self directed, you may want to speak with your direct supervisor or manager about assigning tasks in advance that you are sure will fill your day.
Not everyone is cut out to be a telecommuter. Those who are can quickly make the transition from working in an office to working at home. When discussing telecommuting with an employer, it is important to let them know how telecommuting options may be viable and helpful to the company.