Advances in technology influence all fields of industries from education to transportation and some even believe the days of the 9 to 5 job might be numbered. As companies realize they can lower overhead costs, many have opted to allow employees to work from home. Some employees work from home fulltime while others might choose a schedule allowing for part time work from home with the remaining time spent in the office.
Working for the boss or managing your own business from home has never been easier. The combination of powerful computers coupled with high-speed Internet connections allows staff to link up with companies anywhere in the world. Aiding the newly autonomous worker are cellular phones, laptop computers, e-mail, portable printers, and the ability to send and receive faxes without a fax machine. Today’s independent entrepreneur can choose to work from home or on the road while vacationing with family.
For the younger generation entering the workforce, many are attracted to making a living from their home. For one, they can save significantly on transportation costs. Employees are able to save 30 minutes to two hours a day or more in commuting time. This is time better spent with family and friends rather than behind the wheel of a car, riding a bus, or commuting by a train.
In terms of saving energy, by eliminating the drive to work, fewer cars are on the road. This saves the worker and the community in two ways; first, the individual working from home enjoys direct savings and secondly, others who must drive to work are able to spend less time on the road because of fewer commuters.
Another benefit of working from home is being able to manage your time more efficiently. When you must take time to go to the doctor or the dentist, or maybe you have to run your children to some other appointment, you can swap your working hours with your nonworking hours without losing productivity. In other words, if you must take two hours running errands, it is easy to make up that lost time with a couple of hours in the evening or early in the morning.
Not only is it easy to manipulate time as you need to, you also have the ability of working any hours you choose. For example, if you require seven hours to meet your daily commitments, you can block out those seven hours to fit your schedule best. Some may choose to wake at 5 am and work straight through to noon while others may take the day for themselves reserving the evening for their work. Depending on the type of work, home-based employees or entrepreneurs may be able to “bank” their time. Essentially, they make up their own schedules any way they wish.
Working from home is not for everyone. Some, who once worked in an office, may find working on their own from their house a little disconcerting. They may miss the camaraderie of their fellow office workers and may lack the discipline required of a “self-starter.”
For those who do possess the drive and discipline, they will find working from home working from home is extremely rewarding, both personally and financially.
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© 2011 J. Clark
Working from home can be great. Your own hours, no day care, available for emergencies and no office intrigue and meetings. The company likes it too. No overtime, no vacation pay or holiday pay, on sick leave, and no employee dissatisfaction work place. So I guess it’s one of those win/wins.
I like the idea of working from home or at least setting my own hours. I would love to work early morning hours and be done early in the afternoon with some daylight to spare. I would love a four day work week but it is not always possible as in our business which requires us to be there in person for the customer. I’m a little jealous of those able to arrange their schedule and workplaces to allow for their perfect work environment.
I was able to do daycare in my home for several years when my children were young which allowed me the flexibility to home with my children until they were school age, not pay for daycare and earn an income at home.