By Tim Ferguson, 25 May 2007 17:05
NEWS
Following silicon.com's great working from home experiment - in which the editorial team left the office for the day - readers have been letting us know about their experiences and offering their advice.
The majority are very much in favour of working from home (WFH).
silicon reader Chris Tolmie said: "WFH is great from time to time. It allows for catching up on key projects, saves fuel, saves space and saves time. I should do it more often."
John Smith, a computer programmer, said: "I decided I wanted to leave my last IT post as I was fed up with the daily commute and restrictions working had placed on my life. I now work from home. I work when I want to... and I don't get interrupted all the time by telephone calls and emails."
He added: "I think people who work in IT should get the chance to do it. I can program just as well at home as I can in the office and I am a lot happier!"
Jeremy Wickins said: "I can't understand why more people don't do this... WFH is a good thing - try it if you can!"
silicon.com reader and IT sales manager Chris Down said advances in WFH technology have been huge but also a mixed blessing.
WFH - all the coverage
♦ The great working from home experiment
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♦ Top 10 tips for working from home
♦ Upwardly Mobile: There's no workplace like home
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He said: "Everything has become far more immediate and my working day tends to be more eight-to-six than nine-to-five."
Top tips for those considering making the move to working from home also came flooding in.
One reader said you must have a fast internet connection, "otherwise working from home will be more frustrating all round".
He added: "Also try and have some work you can do offline without the need to connect to the internet."
Another reader offered advice on how to manage the sometimes overwhelming number of phone calls, emails and instant messages from colleagues: "So as not to be constantly checking email and voice mail, I let people know I will check it hourly. If there is an emergency, they can page me."
Digital media consultant Rob said: "Make sure you get dressed. Another little thing I do is not wear anything like slippers or such like. Make sure you separate yourself from house lounging mode."
Comments
There are 6 comments. Join the discussion
1. Marita Roebkes
Besides not wearing slippers get a webcam!
Now you are really forced to be dressed in business style. You never know if your are talking via skype with customers or other team members.
2. Bryan Scott
Be disciplined and have an 'office' with a door so that you have a space between you and work even if you are self employed.
Dress as though you are going to the office, the painter Henri Mattisse used to put his hat and coat on and walk around the block and return to his studio to do a days work.
Avoid the temptation to allow domestic and work to merge. Being 'always available' is to be avoided otherwise it can be a roundabout that you never know when you you are getting on or off.
3. Jerome Pearce
I have been WFH for about 4 years now, and the time has come when my business has expanded enough to force me into an office again. The difference is, it's MY office.
I became rather too focussed at times, and at others could not focus. Now I work 9-5ish, I walk to work (I get to choose the location) I like my colleagues (I get to choose those too!), and the separation of work from home is good once again, but on my own terms this time.
I expect that a separate room from the house may work OK, but in the long term it is hard to keep familiy life out of your work if you WFH. It is good in the short term, though, or part time, as long as your attitude does not slip.
4. anonymous
Ive been working from home for nearly 2 years and I love it.
The level of productivity is far greater than working in a flu ridden environmnet where alot of people constantly moan.
As for keeping in touch with colleagues and keeping a check on the phone calls and email. One easy solution can be Lotus Sametime or MS live communications.
5. Brian Nesbit - Network-ie Ltd
I have been working fom home from 2002, only visiting the office occasionally. I have an office that is designated my work place, I get dressed for work which I believe is essential. I have a secure video link to all our offices through the world so can be in direct contact with colleagues and attend meting when necessary. It works well for me.
6. Haydn Rees
The idea with video conferencing is that it's only necessary to dress formally in collar tie and jacket from the waist up, and bermuda shorts or whatever else you want to wear from the waist down.