I don’t think I know anyone who wouldn’t enjoy a day in when they have the chance to work from home rather than slogging into work. Who wouldn’t love at least one day a year to wake up, put on a pot of coffee, maybe read the paper, turn on the computer and still be at work early? Maybe even still in pyjamas.
There are folks who have made this scenario a daily occurrence, forging careers from their home office. Others have arranged telecommuting schedules, and work from home one or two days a week, coming into the office for meetings and updates.
For me, a job made in heaven would include a flexible schedule. Perhaps not everyone shares this sentiment, but it seems to me that working from home, even one day a year, could actually help save your life.
Ok, that may sound a little extreme, but let me make my case. Working from Home:
1. Reduces Co2 Emissions
-
You’re not driving to work. Just think of the reduced emissions. The Canadian Telecommuting Associations reports if one million people worked from home just 1 day “each week, in a year, Canada would save some 250 million kg of CO2 emissions; 100 million litres of fuel”. That’s a huge reduction of toxic fumes.
2. Lowers stress levels:
-
At home you monitor and manage interruptions and distractions. No one taps you on the shoulder, or suddenly demands your input. Working from home is less stressful. You have your own space and work in the comforts of your own surroundings. Reports indicate people are up to 20% more productive at home than in the office. Plus, of course you remove the repeated stress of rush hour commutes.
3. Reduces illness:
-
Possibly directly related to reduced stress levels, or less contact with people who come into work when feeling under the weather. Regardless of the exact reason, when employees have the option to work from home absentee and illness rates may decrease.
4. Increases family time:
-
Imagine the time you save not commuting to work. Working from home could shave hours off your day, increasing time spent with family and decreasing the stress caused by having to rush home to pick up kids, get dinner ready, or clean up. That would make me a less stressed and happier employee.
5. Eases financial strain:
-
It may not seem like a lot but the cost of commuting adds up. Whether your driving or taking transit it could be costing you up to $12 a day. Depending on how many people in your household commute, the actual cost of commuting could be quite a lot. Eliminating it, even for one day, could potentially help ease some financial strain.
Perhaps there’s no direct cause and effect but a flexible schedule can certainly help ease daily personal and work related strains on employees.
What do you think, would having the ability to work from home help you? If you like the idea make sure you ‘like’ the Workopolis National Work From Home Day Facebook page to show your support.
Jenna Charlton is a Toronto writer and blogger
and a fan of the social media campaign for a national Work from Home Day
HI Jenna,
Great points about working from home. Sometimes people forget the money they save by not commuting because they just focus on the ease of it.
Virtual jobs are definitely on the rise, especially with small businesses. They’re also a great way to find part-time work for people who need to stay at or close to home because of family reasons.
- Urban Interns
http://www.urbaninterns.com
I love working from home. I split my time between home and the office and get as much done.
This is brilliant idea and I support it.
I think working at home is best suited for people with strong self-disciplinary skills, motivation, not easily distracted. Obvious I know, but I don’t think it would work for everyone. The one good thing about being in an office is there are less distractions and it’s harder to slack off or take breaks whenever you want. I, myself, know I would need that supervision, because I can be easily distracted :)
yes. I would love to work from home as i am very disciplined and organised.
Are you sure Peter Harris didn’t write this piece?
I agree that there are definitely challenges to working at home. I have been doing it for six years straight, and in that time conducting large group meetings and key conference calls with clients. There are no real barriers if you keep an open mind. Definitely you must stay focused, and get down to work. Sure you will goof off at first, but you get into the process eventually. Now I am working on merging over to a new phase of life (strangely similar to what Timothy Farriss discusses) to continue to work from home, but start my own projects.