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Working from Home - Pros and Cons

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Jan ~ Apr 2009: Career Group: Working from Home - Pros and Cons users admin

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Archive through April 05, 2006Merrysea25 04-05-06  7:38 pm
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Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 11:46 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
I've been working from home for eight years now. I work as a graphic designer and have a variety of computers in which I use (both PC and Mac.) I got into the PC so I could make myself more profitable.

While I do enjoy working from home, as a graphic designer one of the things I miss by not working in a studio environment is the collabrative process. When I worked in a studio it was fun to work on a design with others and watch that design unfold.

Of course now that responsibility is mine. And while it is, of course, rewarding, I miss working with others on design jobs. After eight years working from home I'm just ready to work with others again.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 4:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Social interaction. Whenever I'm working from home and crave conversation with real people (versus that of my four-legged kids), I take a walk up to my local Starbucks. An hour sitting outside with a cup of something yummy in my hand, chatting with some locals, and I'm good to go! :-)

Merrysea
Member

08-13-2004

Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 6:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Merrysea a private message Print Post    
I've been working at home four fourteen years now, and I love it! I did have to finally put my foot down about clients giving me work in the evening and on weekends; I use those hours to catch up on things I didn't do during the day (usually because I was doing non-work-related things ). I do miss the social interaction and the regular paycheck, but I love the freedom working at home gives me!

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 7:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
The Starbucks nearest me stinks. LOL! There's virtually nowhere to sit; and where there are places to sit aren't very comfortable.

I guess I could walk the few extra blocks to the bigger, nicer Starbucks.

I suppose that would help with the social interaction. However, that doesn't help with the group creative process I miss.

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 7:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Whoami a private message Print Post    
I'm a perfect candidate for working at home. I'm socially inept, so social interaction isn't a big deal for me. LOL.

And I need to stay home to look after Mom. I've been searching for a job recently, cause our finances are getting pretty grim.

I just don't know what I'm qualified to do, or how to go about it. All those "work from home" things that are advertised in e-mails and such look like such scams. I'm so leary of them. I really need to figure something out.

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 7:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ddr a private message Print Post    
I have worked from my home the last 3 years.
The paperwork involved in my job has taken over my study, bedroom, car and part of my kitchen. I'm sick of it. Hopefully at the end of this year, I'll have a nice office at one of the annex buildings they are building.

Also I'm the type of person that cannot switch off work. When I'm awake I think I should be working.

What I do love about my job is days where I don't have meetings or appointments, I work in my pj's.

Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 9:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yankee_in_ca a private message Print Post    
I've worked from home for the past 8 years.

Ditto what Ddr said about not being able to switch off work. I just checked in here while working. It's 9:20. I sent my first email from bed this morning, on my blackberry. It was 6:04 am. I had to almost pull one eye open to see the keyboard.

And everyday is the same.

Weekends are not as full-on, but I put in a few hours at LEAST every weekend. The office/work is always here. There's no separation.

That said, if I need to have my hair cut, I can schedule an appointment in the middle of the day, though I have to watch my blackberry the whole time... sigh.

There are some things I love about it, but being a workaholic and in a job where I'm constantly on call and at the whim of people's deadlines all across North America (I work full days on Eastern AND Pacific time), it can be exhausting.

I very very much miss the creative and social interaction of an office, and while I don't really miss office politics, I do miss having that "ladder" to climb. For me, it's motivating.

I have employees who work for me, but none in the same city. It's a virtual agency, so all my interaction is over the phone and via email.

I like to do a good job and be rewarded for it. But working from home, I do a good job and I'm rewarded only with payment and/or a future contract, but that's about it. I know that's the basics, and I'm very grateful for that payment (TRUST ME), but sometimes I really need more.

Probably the best thing I did was get a dog over 4 years ago, which got my fat butt out of my chair and my face away from my computer to get some fresh air 4 or more times a day.

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 9:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
Whoami, aw, you're so NOT socially inept. I wish I had a suggestion for a work at home job for ya; but I don't. I'm sure you'll find something though. :-)

Ddr, yes, I'm quite familiar with the paper and more that takes over ones home when they also use it as on office. Add on top of that the myriad of office supplies and computer equipment and it's more office than home.

Yankee, yes, gosh, exactly, That's how I feel after eight years working from home. For me, I'm just not interested in working this way any longer. I'm ready for a change.

Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 10:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yankee_in_ca a private message Print Post    
Oh and Citruscitygal, back to your original post. I do have a problem with people thinking that because I work from home, that I'm always available to do personal calls, meet for lunch/coffee, whatever. Then when I tell people I'm sorry but I'm in the middle of my hectic work day, they feel slighted, and act as though I'm just putting THEM off. I especially have this problem with my mother in law. I have to work hard to support our family, but then I get sh*t for working too hard. It makes me want to scream. People don't understand the work from home thing unless they've done it themselves or had someone close to them who's done it, I don't think.

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 10:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
OMG Yankee, I have that same problem with my mom. Right now, I'm in the situation where my mom is my boss at times. (I do graphic design work for my families business.) Therefore, she thinks that I should be at her beck and call whenever it's convenient FOR HER. She'll call on a Sunday and we'll chat about whatever and then she'll bring up my job and want to talk about work.

When I try to keep the boundary and say, Mom, it's Sunday, I don't want to talk about work, she gets pissed off. She thinks that just because I work from home I should talk when ever it's convenient for her.

It's really been tough.

Wow. I know exactly how that feels when others think you're blowing them off when you're just trying to do your job etc.

Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Friday, April 07, 2006 - 9:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yankee_in_ca a private message Print Post    
So to anyone thinking about working from home, I guess my overriding advice is -- It can be very nice, and there are very cool things about it, but you have to have a lot of self-discipline AND there are downsides too.

Wearing your pajamas or gym clothes all day sounds great, until you've done it for two years and you start to feel sloppy and unworthy and unhappy with yourself. It doesn't happen to everyone, but it can.

But there are great things about it too. Just know what you're getting yourself into!

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Friday, April 07, 2006 - 9:42 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
I loved working from home!!! I did it for 2 and 1/2 years and it was the best. I had to come into the office twice a week for a couple of hours and that was more than enough interaction for me. I would have been happier not having to come in at all!

I do agree though, you have to be very disciplined. I had one room (the den) where I worked, no where else in the house and I had all my overflow work files hidden in the closet so I did not see them. I worked a strict 8 hour day, ot wasn't allowed, and was very productive.

My job now is very conducive to working from home, but my boss doesn't like telecommuting because she sucks at it. LOL. I have found I get a lot less work done here in the office.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Friday, April 07, 2006 - 10:55 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
shoot, ya'll have described being a stay at home mom to the tee!

Dahli
Member

11-27-2000

Monday, April 17, 2006 - 8:38 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dahli a private message Print Post    
I've worked at home for almost six years now, and it definitely has it's pros and cons...many days I feel I'm ready to make a change and go back 'out there'as I'm feeling a bit stifled.

Discipline is the key for me. I remember a morning when I had slept in and was truly rushing to shower dress and get makeup on, because I must do that in order to feel like I"m going ot work... anyway I was a bit concerned I'd be late and my DH chuckled and said, 'who's gonna know?' But I knew and that is the decision I made to constantly have that discipline going on, or else it would be difficult to maintain the work feel for me.

Sometimes it's hard to leave 'the office' since it's so accessable but there is a huge amount of flexibility for me anyway and last year while going through his chemo and stuff, having the ability to look after him and be with him made all the lonliness and lack of collaberation I feel as well all worth it...

Cowboy
Member

08-20-2006

Friday, September 15, 2006 - 5:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cowboy a private message Print Post    
Interesting thread...

I've sometimes wondered if I could find work doing editing part-time from home. I've done quite a bit of technical writing and reviewing in my day job as a system engineer at a defense company.

Any thoughts ?

Ketchuplover
Member

08-30-2000

Saturday, September 16, 2006 - 8:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ketchuplover a private message Print Post    
I signed up with an online data entry site. They make it sound so easy. I'm lost. Anybody have any advice? Thanks

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Sunday, September 24, 2006 - 5:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
Just a quick note;

I'm no longer a "working from home" person. As some of you all know, I was looking to find a job outside the home. And, several weeks ago I went on an interview.

A few days later I was offered a full time position and took it. I've been there now for two weeks and I love the job. I'm very happy to have found the position and hope it will be a long term thing.

Everyone is very nice there and have been very welcoming. It definitely involves a lot of time and work, but I'm totally ok with that.

It's a great opportunity and so far, is going great.

Anyways, working from home went well but, after eight years, I was ready for a change.

Good luck to all! :-)