Work from Home Jobs - Love it or Hate it?

[Antonia]

I interviewed for a work from home job. It is M-F 8-5 with an hour for lunch as a nurse case manager.

I'm not sure I want to turn my home into my workplace. I mainly interviewed for it in an attempt to find a job with cheaper insurance as my husband will retire before me and I will carry our group coverage.

If you have done a similar job - please chime in and tell me if you loved it or hated it. The job I have now provides me with a lot of flexibility and I think the WAH job - while I would be at home - I think I will be tied to a computer and phone constantly. I think I may be a prisoner in my own home 8 hours each day! LOL

 

[MrsCobraBubbles]

I worked from home for 2 years and absolutely loved it! Yes, I was sort of tied to my laptop but I loved the flexibility of being able to work anywhere in the house, in bed, the backyard while the kids played, etc. I could stay in my pajamas all day, didn't have to drive in traffic--I even worked on vacation (which I enjoyed, by the way, that kind of flexibility was a plus for me because I didn't have to go through the trouble of requesting vacation days and booking around work, we could take off and have fun whenever!). And I'm an introvert who doesn't necessarily like daily face to face interaction with people, so that was a plus for me as well. My job required me to do mindless research tasks and fill in data into online databases and spreadsheets and was entirely online, so I was able to have a television show or music playing in the background so the house didn't feel too quiet. I think the main reason that I really enjoyed working from home is that I have a passion for the type of work that I was doing so it was usually fun.

Working from home isnt for everyone and I know a bunch of people who have been forced to work from home these last 3 months and really hate it, so I think it would be smart to evaluate what you love about your job and whether you can duplicate that from your home. If not, I would not take this job because it is going to feel like torture and life is too short to work a job that makes you miserable.

 

[loves to dive]

My hubby has worked from home nigh on to 15 years now. He has an actual office set up in our basement but rarely uses it, he is an IT consultant so as long as he has internet and a laptop he is good to go. Mostly he works from our couch, which can be a pain the rear for me at times. That means I can't do anything in the kitchen that requires turning on the sink if he's on the phone because we have an open floor plan home. If I have to go to the bathroom, I have to go the one in the back of the house if he's on the phone. If I'm watching TV and his phone rings, I have to mute it. He is on call 24/7 and his clients don't hesitate to call him at night. It does, however, give him the freedom to hop in the RV and us to take trips, he has a Verizon hotspot and just keeps on working. Right now he is actually just laying on the couch reading, his laptop is open and chat and email are open so if anyone needs him they can reach him.

I have been partially retired for a few years now, only going into the office 5 hours for two days a week. When all this started my boss set me up to work from home so I do that but still go into the office one day a week to pick up mail and go to the bank. We are a small 2 person IT company and 95% of the time it's just me in our side of the building. I hate the way he set me up to work at home though, instead of going through a VPN he has me remote into my physical machine at the office. That machine is old and slow (I'm the bookkeeper and we never get the best of the best, especially in IT firms) and the laptop I use at home to remote in is an old one so it's slow. Combine the two slows and it's painful. Unlike hubby, I do go down into the basement to work because I need a monitor and keyboard, I just can't work on a laptop keyboard so hubby cobbled together hooking the laptop to an old monitor and keyboard/mouse he had. I don't mind it and would probably be fine with it all the time if I had a better set up to VPN and actually bought decent equipment here at home instead of cobbling together bits and pieces hubby had left over.

 

[nkereina]

I worked from home full time from 2007-2009 at one job, and then moved to another job and have since worked from home 2 days a week or as needed. However, I'm working from home full time again temporarily because of the pandemic.

Working from home is not for everyone. You have to have a great deal of self-discipline. Early on when I started working from home, I was fresh out of college and admittedly did not have that self-discipline yet. I would wake up 10 minutes before I started work, sit around on the couch with my laptop in my PJs. If I had downtime with my work, I'd put a TV show on or do house chores rather than trying to find something work-related to do. I eventually started feeling really unproductive and unhappy.

Now, I have a dedicated office space in my house. I get up early and get ready like I would if I were going into the office. I take my lunch break downstairs in the kitchen, away from my office. I still treat it as if I have somewhere to go, it just happens to be to a room upstairs that I only use during business hours. I also have to be diligent about sticking to my hours so I don't become work obsessed or feel like I need to work all the time. I still wear leggings during the day and I'll still do things like throw in a load of laundry, but I make sure work is my main focus during business hours. As a result of this, I do find I'm more productive working at home than in the office because I have few interruptions, I don't have to travel far to the restroom or parking garage or cafeteria. So its nice from that perspective.

There are times during the week when I don't leave the house for a few days, but I don't find that I go stir crazy or feel like a prisoner. Because I'm in the office upstairs, it just feels different when my day ends and I can go downstairs to the living room. I'll sit outside for dinner, walk around the block, or exercise in the basement so I'm still getting different "scenery". Because I'm working from home and don't have to commute home, I'm saving some time after work too so I will occasionally use that time to run errands or do my grocery shopping on a weeknight, which helps free up my weekends and also gets me out of the house. In the winter, its very nice to not have to leave the house unless I need to, and even better to not have to worry about anything when a snowstorm is the forecast.

The only other con is the lack of human interaction. You mention you may be on the phone a lot which helps, but I am typically almost all computer work. There are days when I don't talk to anyone between the time my husband leaves and comes home. I do ok with that as an introvert, but extroverts or social people may have a problem with it. When I do talk to co-workers now, its rarely about personal things or just shooting the breeze. So the only thing I miss from the office atmosphere is having that camaraderie with light conversations and keeping up with each other's lives.

 

[kimblebee]

I’m working from home now and I love it. I park myself on the couch, fire up my laptop, and I’m good to go. I do customer service for a few major restaurant chains so I can work anywhere. I’m hoping to stay working from home when our building opens back up.

 

[disney212]

I've been working from home since March 13 and I HATE it. It feels like I am always at work. I am an extrovert and being home 24/7 is not good for my mental health. My boss, who is usually traveling, has tons of time to come up with projects he wants done. I'm working more now than ever. I have tennis elbow from all the hours I am working on the compter. I work in a building with an open floor plan and a few thousand employees so I am glad our company did it for our safety. I will tell you NEVER will I look for a full time remote job. Everyday I maintain my morning routine, zoom meetings so I am still dressing for work, I work, cook, clean, sleep, work, cook, clean, sleep repeat. It's driving me batty. My DH was cut to part time but I'm jealous he gets to leave the house each day. I'm super high risk so will be stuck in this house until fall. Ugh.

 

[Antonia]

This job says it can only be done with hard-wired cable internet - not WIFI - so that makes me think I would be stuck at a desk in one room 8 hours every day. I can’t use WiFi for this job. I think I would hate that.

 

[soccerdad72]

My sister has done a work-from-home job (claims processor) for years now. Like others have said, there's pros and cons. She did have to set up a permanent office within her home and her company equipped it with a company phone and wired network connection. I'm not sure of the technical details, but she essentially has to be online in her home office for set business hours and it's monitored, so it's not a very flexible work arrangement. But she also doesn't have to worry about commuting and is home when her kids are home from school as well.

Like most others, I've been doing a WFH arrangement since March, but it was never designed to be done from home, so we're figuring it out as we go along. I have a lot more flexibility with my work, though - basically, as long as I can cover what needs to get done, I have the ability to do other things during the day. Just as long as I'm not missing conference calls or letting issues go undealt with.

 

[momz]

I am a medical provider. I have been working from home doing virtual consults since early March. I love it. When I’m not busy, I’m tinkering around the house, cleaning or hobbies. Some visits are phone, others are video. I cleaned my garage one shift and just talked on the phone while working, or carried my laptop back to the dining room for video.

 

[tvguy]

Tomorrow marks 3 months since I started working from home. It's wonderful. No commute, forget coronavirus, no people with colds or flu around me. Get up 15 minutes before start of shift, no 20-30 minute commute each way. 6 of the 8 hours I am working I am linked via Zoom with the co-workers. No need to get up and track someone down if there is a question. And I am still socially connected with my co-workers.

I work for a company with 140 employees. All but 15 banned from the building. Over 3 months an additional 8 were allowed back in the building, including 5 who work 3 days remotely and 2 days in the building. Most in the building wish they were working remotely. They announced the first official group to reenter the building this week. Five people. They will tentatively return to the building July 6. But at this point the boss made it clear if the upward trend in cases continues, that could be delayed. The earliest another five can go in is in August. They do not expect everyone to be back in the building this year.
It will be a different world inside the building Lunch room, and all conference rooms locked up and off limits. No more than 2 people in a bathroom at a time. You must put a mask on before you enter the building, and use an assigned entrance. There is a wipe down procedure for your work space that you must follow at the beginning and end of your shift. The company has to have at least enough Clorox wipes and masks on site to last 30 days. And the 28 people in the building will be scattered all over a 60,000 square foot building, most not even in their departments normal work area.

14 years ago when I started with this company, everyone had their own cubical, computer and phone. Managers who clearly have no idea what we need to do our jobs decided to over the years "improve our workflow" by getting rid of cubicles and lining desks next to each other, and as we are a 24/7 operation everyone now shares workspaces, computers and phones with someone else. Current management has made it clear that can no longer continue.

Basically, it sounds like the changes the pandemic is making necessary will make the office a lost less desirable place to work.

 

[sasywtch]

My son started his state job a week before all this happened and has been working at home since. He loves it. Over the years, I did make a few good friends so I would miss that opportunity. (also some good potlucks). What I wouldn't miss and would enjoy working from home: no traveling in traffic, being home when the kids got home from school, no drama in the workplace.

 

[PollyannaMom]

DH worked from home before all this. No commute (and comfy clothes!) are probably his favorite parts. What he struggles with most is separating work time from off time.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

This job says it can only be done with hard-wired cable internet - not WIFI - so that makes me think I would be stuck at a desk in one room 8 hours every day. I can’t use WiFi for this job. I think I would hate that.

Yes, I had that also. I worked for a hospital and security was #1 priority therefore Hardwired only, no Wi-Fi

 

[seashoreCM]

... by getting rid of cubicles and lining desks next to each other, and as we are a 24/7 operation everyone now shares workspaces, computers and phones with someone else. Current management has made it clear that can no longer continue.

Basically, it sounds like the changes the pandemic is making necessary will make the office a lost less desirable place to work.

What is "that" which can no longer continue?

Why not put the cubicles back, one employee per cubicle. Like it was long before. Everyone has their own this or that, much less sanitizing of things needed. Then you would have a more desirable place to work.

Over the years I had two work at home gigs. Much nicer for me since it saved a hour's commute each way. I got lots accomplished.

Challenge to you work at home parents or to you study at home high schoolers and collegiates: Starting in the morning with the first work/school activity how long can you go without asking or telling anyone else in the house anything? After all, if others were not working/learning/staying at home they wouldn't be there for you to talk to. And you don't want to be called away from a Zoom session and miss stuff being discussed.

 

[nkereina]

Why not put the cubicles back, one employee per cubicle. Like it was long before. Everyone has their own this or that, much less sanitizing of things needed. Then you would have a more desirable place to work.

I know for my work, since WFH has proven to be effective, management is having a hard time finding reasons why we should return to the office. The savings they’d see from the space, real estate, and other ancillary office supplies (ink, equipment, furniture service, paper, etc) is pretty substantial. Middle management keeps saying we need to be in the office to have that team atmosphere and connection, but I’m not sure the higher ups will prioritize that over the significant cost savings. Plus, if/when we do return, changing things to allow for social distancing and everyone having their own whatever will make for a greater increase in cost, which I’m sure is hard to justify as well when WFH is going pretty smoothly.

 

[mousefan73]

I think one major factor is what is your office commute? This is a game changer. My office is 90 miles or over 2 hours to get to each way. Working from home is a life/ time saver. I get to work from home 2 to 3 x a week.

I personally love being in the office. The interaction with my team, lunches etc. but saving me 5 hrs a day time makes working from home preferable. In my case the mix is the best part.

my BF has been in a home office full-time but travels. She has a dog. And is not disciplined enough to shut down at night. She is the type who works major OT as she cannot shut off. Take that j to consideration.

 

[DisneyHardin]

This job says it can only be done with hard-wired cable internet - not WIFI - so that makes me think I would be stuck at a desk in one room 8 hours every day. I can’t use WiFi for this job. I think I would hate that.

My stepmother worked from home for several years doing collections for a credit card company. Her situation was like this - she had a hardwired little box that was basically like her server, so she had to sit at her desk. She enjoyed working from home. She was tied to the desk, but liked not having to get up as early, get dressed in "office" clothes, being able to do stuff around the house on her lunch, etc.

The only thing she really missed when they switched her to home was the social aspect of having co-workers.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

Like many, I have been WFH for the past 3 months. I love it as it saves me an hour a day drive time, no wear and tear on the car, and I get little 5 minute tasks (unloading dishwasher, cleaning litter box) throughout the day. My work has been pushing back our return to the office date (we're currently hearing September at the earliest) and even the possibility that we may have the option to WFH permanently before this is all over.

I'm actually looking at selling my daily driver car because of this. The plan was always to sell it in the fall anyways and I've driven 500 miles in the past 3 months... so it's kind of a pointless driveway ornament. If I have to start going into the office again I'll have to buy something but until then my wife and I will share a car to save the payment+insurance.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I'm a nurse who swtiched from Hospital PRN pool to a work in office and now work from home case management job. I made the switch not long before the pamdemic hit. I find that overall, I am less stressed. My anxiety level is much, much lower and I enjoy life more.

I do, however, miss my free time. Changing from working 3 or 4 12's a week, and having weekdays off to get stuff done, and now working mon-fri 8-5 and I have to be tied to my computer and take incoming calls all day, is taking its toll. I also really miss the face to face interaction with people. I am thinking of changing to a home health or hospice job after the pandemic is over.

I'm looking at this job as a resume builder and a learning experience but I know it will not be long term for me.