Telework and Family Life Questions

The answer to this question will obviously differ from one situation to the next, and the answer will let you know if you should continue to telecommute. If your spouse interferes with your work, and the interference cannot be corrected, you probably should not be telecommuting.

The key to most successful telecommuting arrangements is separation. Telecommuters must let their family members know that when they are working, they are working, and they are not to be disturbed unless there is an emergency. As far as a spouse is concerned, a telecommuter should expect their spouse to respect their boundaries. If these boundaries cannot be respected, then a different arrangement should be agreed upon, or the employee should stop telecommuting.  [top]

With such easy access to work, many people find they cannot easily forget about work. One thing that works for some teleworkers is to develop a routine. Stop and start work at the same time every day, and take regular breaks. At the close of the work day, shut off your computer, turn off the lights in your office, and close and lock the door. This routine provides a regular "quitting time" and will discourage you from easily getting back to work.  [top]

Do most teleworker gain weight?

Many people fear weight gain when they begin telework, because they will have easy access to food. While it is easy to gain weight when you are working at home, this can also be true at the office. The key in both situations is self-control and discipline. A teleworker must learn to concentrate on work, rather than the next trip to the refrigerator. This discipline must then carry over into other distractions that present themselves in the home, such as television, personal phone calls, housework, etc. It all comes back to selecting the right person to telecommute. A self-motivated, punctual and diligent employee will control the distractions and focus on the work at hand. An employee who is not responsible will be easily distracted at home, and at the office as well, and won't be a good candidate for telecommuting.  [top] 

In almost every situation, the answer is no. One of the major benefits of telecommuting is the opportunity to work without distractions. If telecommuters have to take care of a small child or someone who needs constant care, they will not be concentrating solely on work.While it is possible to combine telecommuting and dependent care, it takes an extremely disciplined, honest and hardworking employee to manage the home situation. [top]

Most likely, you can't. In almost every situation like this, the telecommuter concentrates on their children more than their work, as any good parent would. Just like in a dependent care situation, the telecommuter is always trying to do two things at once. This means that neither responsibility is receiving the attention it requires. The best alternative is some type of day care, usually outside of the home, but it could work inside the home as well. The telecommuter needs time to concentrate solely on work and the family needs to recognize that the telecommuter shouldn't be bothered at work, except for emergencies. [top]

Ideally, the telecommuter would have a situation that could combine both of these. And it can be done; it just takes discipline. The other members of the telecommuter's family must understand that when the teleworker is working, he or she cannot be disturbed except for emergency. The key is respect. Family members must respect the telecommuters’ time to work. At the same time, teleworkers must respect the promises they make to quit work on schedule, and be available if their help is needed.  [top]

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