Gracious reader,
It's hard to focus in your open-plan office. Sometimes you want to be heads down on a project.
Or, something like a furniture delivery requires your brief presence at home. But not your entire day, like a visit from your out-of-town cousin.
Shouldn't you be able to work from home? Maybe.
Many, many managers I talk with don't always believe that people can work from home productively. (Sometimes these WFH discussions include eyerolls and airquotes.)
So, you might find that WFH isn't a slam-dunk in your organization. If it's possible at all, you may need to negotiate. You'll often need to demonstrate that you've got a strong track record.
Sometimes, even then, the answer will be "no."
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Remote Control?
- Managers, when your boss hears "WFH," do they actually think, "Slacker"? Decide how you'll measure success of any WFH arrangement, and how you'll share news of the success. In some office cultures, presence is a proxy for performance. In this case, team members who work from home may be labeled as non-performers. Don't let this happen to your people!
It's ok to say "no" to people who aren't productive when working from home. In most organizations, WFH is a privilege. Not an inalienable right.
- “Best practices for both an employer and employee take planning and constant attention...” In "HR Must Weigh Benefits, Pitfalls of Telework Arrangements," Aliah D. Wright downloads the highlights of attorney Jim Reidy's talk at an employment law conference. Excellent.
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Time Travel
Linking WFH back to prior issues of How to Have a Job.
- "IBM may be part of a broader rethink of remote work under way at large companies, as corporate leaders argue that putting workers in the same physical space hastens the speed of work and sparks innovation." IBM, a Pioneer of Remote Work, Calls Workers Back to the Office, John Simons, originally at The Wall Street Journal. (WSJ version may be paywalled.) (#IRL)
- When making the case for working from home, do not follow the advice of Just Anyone On The Internet. Case in point, I read that your next illness is your opportunity to prove yourself by (wait for it) working from home. Instead of healing. Yes, I really read this article. On the internet. Hopefully you won't have to. (#Health)
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Some people believe that technology will enable us to work from anywhere, any time, at our own convenience. IMO, this is a bit naive.
It's been my observation that people who sustainably work outside of company offices, or who are independent like me, often belong to co-working spaces. Or, they have a dedicated room at home for work, and make regular office visits to connect with co-workers. Parents of small children often have a babysitter or family member who serves as the primary caregiver during business hours.
Beyond moral support and technology, the set up for success includes financial resources.
Thank you to everyone for subscribing and/or referring your friends and co-workers. And many thanks to everyone who has written to me with feedback and questions.
Thanks,
Anne Libby
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