Opportunities to work from home are on the rise thanks to an increasing number of industries offering e-services, decreasing the costs of maintaining physical office space, or offering this flexibility as a way to attract talent to their company.
Many professionals—whether they be programmers, lawyers, doctors, therapists, grant writers, pharmacy support staff, accountants, or teachers, to name a few—have the opportunities to find work that allows them to do their jobs remotely.
Things to Consider When Making the Decision to Work From Home
The number of US people working from home continues to rise. In fact, in 2015, 24 percent of employed people did some or all of their work at home, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of work-from-home jobs are on the rise, as is the demand for this type of flexibility. If you are trying to make the decision to work from home, evaluate the option and consider the tradeoffs. Review each item and think about how it applies to you, and if you have or could acquire the resources to make it work.
Do I have a place in my home to do my work?
Having an office to work from can save you from the distraction of other people, tasks, and temptations that can draw you away from your focus. It can also be handy to employ additional tools such as noise-cancelling headphones to block out everything from the TV in the next room to the neighbor mowing the lawn next door. When you discuss the option to work remotely with an employer, talk with them about the tools you’ll need to complete your work and what they will be providing. Consider what you need to make your workspace effective, beyond what an employer might help provide. Also, defining a dedicated office space may help with tax deductions, which brings us to the next consideration: taxes.
Have I considered how my taxes may change?
The IRS has resources to help you decide what types of deductions you can claim and what you may need to consider if you are self-employed or perform contract work. If you haven’t paid taxes quarterly before or claimed exemptions, you may also wish to speak to a tax advisor or accountant on how to best approach these types of details.
Can I discipline myself to keep a schedule at home?
Creating a schedule and sticking to it is one way of maintaining a structure to your work and life while working from home. A set schedule benefits your work in a number of ways:
- Timetables make it easier for people you work for or with to know when they can reach you or expect to receive communications and completed projects from you.
- A schedule helps you divide your work and nonwork time so that the balance doesn’t tip too much in either direction.
- A routine helps your friends, family, and neighbors better understand the boundaries you set for your work time.
- Setting aside time for each activity that needs to happen in your day helps ensure that you’ll be able to manage your time and accomplish all of your given tasks.
How will I find ways to connect with people outside of the home?
It’s important to build and maintain strong relationships whether you work in a corporate environment or from home. Scheduling regular meetings by phone or video chat are important ways to stay in communication, receive and provide updates, as well as stay visible. Instant message and corporate chat tools can also be useful tools for communicating and collaborating.
Sometimes it’s nice to connect in person with people, as well. When home is where you work, it can be easy to become a bit of a hermit. Spending all day and all evening at the same place every day can give you cabin fever in a hurry. Here are some great and low-cost opportunities to get out of your home and connected with other people:
- Libraries: Find a library near you through the Institute of Museum and Library Services website. Libraries are excellent, quiet places to work remotely when you feel the itch to change locations. You can also find information on community groups and activities, gain access to free or low-cost classes and events.
- YMCA or a gym: From classes to individual workout plans and tools, the YMCA has many options in local communities across the country to help you get moving when you need a break from a sedentary workday.
- Community colleges: Community colleges provide great continuing education programs, resources, and facilities that can be used by any member of the communities they serve. Find your local community college and check out what they have to offer.
- Professional associations: Network with other people in your field or industry, as well as stay in the loop on topics relevant to your career including industry trends and developments. Find an active local chapter of a professional association to keep you feeling connected and informed.
Additional Tips for Being Successful While Working From Home
Set Yourself Up for Success
Consider what equipment is going to be necessary to complete your job. Usually a remote worker will need some variation of the following: a laptop or personal computer, a reliable internet connection (try to get the best, fastest service possible), a printer/scanner/copier (these machines can be separate or together in one unit), and a headset for speaking on the phone (usually through a computer system or Voice Over Internet Protocol [VOIP]). Reading product reviews can be a huge help when deciding which equipment to buy and acquiring insurance for peripherals can help you replace machinery that no longer works. Make sure you’re up and running, so you can be successful in your position from Day 1.
Develop a Routine
Whether you get dressed up for a day at the “office” and then grab your coffee, or you take a lap around the neighborhood and then walk in through the front door, create a rhythm and regular routine that gets your workday started right. Having a simple ritual to kick-off the workday in lieu of a commute can help you get focused and down to business.
Communicate and Collaborate
Be sure to stay in touch with your co-workers or boss regularly. Establishing a routine for staying connected and being available is essential to make sure you don’t miss out on key information. Get used to utilizing cloud-based programs, apps, and other tools that help you communicate and share information more effectively. There are many ways to communicate that weren’t available several years ago, such as sending messages, video chatting, and collaborating on documents. Review your options and find out which services and tools your employer or client prefers to use.