Question for the BGP'ers...

 

How many of you work from home at some point during the week?

 

Do you feel you are more or less productive when working from home and what do you feel the perception is from coworkers when you work from home? Do you question when your coworkers WFH?

I have worked from home occasionally but I get way too distracted there so less productive.

Question for the BGP'ers...

 

How many of you work from home at some point during the week?

 

Do you feel you are more or less productive when working from home and what do you feel the perception is from coworkers when you work from home? Do you question when your coworkers WFH?

 

I work from home at least 2 days a week, sometimes as much as 4 or 5. I absolutely LOVE working from home, and am miles more productive when I do. I can literally do every single thing in my responsibility anywhere as long as there's an internet connection. There are days when I am on property that I literally never see a soul, so Ii don't think I'm physically missed. :lol2:

 

The perception from my coworkers seems to be that I'm "off". However, given that my job is essentially 24/7, and even on my scheduled "off" days or even vacation days, I still work at least 4-5 hours, I get a chuckle out of it. What I struggle with is feeling like it's OK that I work from home when most of my coworkers don't have that opportunity. However, my bosses offered it to me, as I was driving 4 hours round trip to work there, and they were afraid I'd leave for a job closer to home. I don't ell many people that I work from home. My office line is forwarded to my cell phone, so no one even has to dial more than my extension to get in touch with me. I'm hyper-diligent about returning emails and completing requests right away, so most times, no one even knows I'm not on property. Our organization has 10 sales staff in various parts of the country that work from home, so I don't necessarily question when they do.

Question for the BGP'ers...

 

How many of you work from home at some point during the week?

 

Do you feel you are more or less productive when working from home and what do you feel the perception is from coworkers when you work from home? Do you question when your coworkers WFH?

I work from home from time to time. I feel like I am much more productive when in the office. The main reason is equipment. At home I'm using my laptop. At work I dock it and have two large monitors. Much easier/faster to work on spreadsheets and monitor emails. Not sure what my coworkers perceptions are because I really don't care. I know what I do so they can eat it...

I work from home from time to time. I feel like I am much more productive when in the office. The main reason is equipment. At home I'm using my laptop. At work I dock it and have two large monitors. Much easier/faster to work on spreadsheets and monitor emails. Not sure what my coworkers perceptions are because I really don't care. I know what I do so they can eat it...

 

I have a pigtail that I plug into my laptop and hook up my monitor so I have 2 monitors. I essentially have exactly the same set up at home as at work. I got the pigtail from work and bought a monitor at Wal-mart so little investment was made on my part.

I take a day or half-day of vacation now and then but often end up working from home on those days. `I feel like I have to set some reasonable example for the people in my organization (even if I check BGP during lulls in meetings or whatever).

I work from home 3-4 days a week. I do have an office (really a cubicle) downtown, but only am there a few hours a week, mostly just to print, or when I need office supplies, or as a stop off point if I need to get something done real quick when I'm on the road. I am there more in the summer or whenever the kids are home from school. I'm the only person in my division, so no one on my team knows what I'm doing anyway. I'm in digital advertising, and as long as I make my numbers, no one questions where I'm at or what I'm doing. After spending the first 17 years of my adult life in retail, I love not being tied to a desk, and having the freedom to pay more attention to my non work life.

I work from home at least 2 days a week, sometimes as much as 4 or 5. I absolutely LOVE working from home, and am miles more productive when I do. I can literally do every single thing in my responsibility anywhere as long as there's an internet connection. There are days when I am on property that I literally never see a soul, so Ii don't think I'm physically missed. :lol2:

 

The perception from my coworkers seems to be that I'm "off". However, given that my job is essentially 24/7, and even on my scheduled "off" days or even vacation days, I still work at least 4-5 hours, I get a chuckle out of it. What I struggle with is feeling like it's OK that I work from home when most of my coworkers don't have that opportunity. However, my bosses offered it to me, as I was driving 4 hours round trip to work there, and they were afraid I'd leave for a job closer to home. I don't ell many people that I work from home. My office line is forwarded to my cell phone, so no one even has to dial more than my extension to get in touch with me. I'm hyper-diligent about returning emails and completing requests right away, so most times, no one even knows I'm not on property. Our organization has 10 sales staff in various parts of the country that work from home, so I don't necessarily question when they do.

 

That is my struggle. I work from home usually once a week or more depending on meetings. I often feel as though the perception is that those people who work from home are not doing work, are goofing off, taking it easy, etc. But I've challenged some of my peers who make jokes about it to point out a time when I didn't deliver an excellent product to them on or before the timeframe I committed to. I always get my work done, no matter where I am. As with you, I could do my work from the moon if I needed to. There is no true reason that I need to be in my office, but I do enjoy interacting with the group and if I have back to back meetings all day, I feel a bit more comfortable running them from my office.

 

I don't care what anyone thinks, but I struggle with feeling okay about working from home when other departments may not have the same flexibility.

 

The other issue I run into is my age. I think some of my older coworkers look at it like "She's only 26, how does she have that trust built up? She is young, she'll probably take advantage."

I work from home when I need to do so. I don't abuse the privilege. Disadvantages - can be slower at home going through network, not being to walk over and talk to somebody, being on a conference phone for meetings, other home distractions. Advantages - taking more breaks, get snacks from refrigerator, don't shave, work in my underwear if I want.

That is my struggle. I work from home usually once a week or more depending on meetings. I often feel as though the perception is that those people who work from home are not doing work, are goofing off, taking it easy, etc. But I've challenged some of my peers who make jokes about it to point out a time when I didn't deliver an excellent product to them on or before the timeframe I committed to. I always get my work done, no matter where I am. As with you, I could do my work from the moon if I needed to. There is no true reason that I need to be in my office, but I do enjoy interacting with the group and if I have back to back meetings all day, I feel a bit more comfortable running them from my office.

 

I don't care what anyone thinks, but I struggle with feeling okay about working from home when other departments may not have the same flexibility.

 

The other issue I run into is my age. I think some of my older coworkers look at it like "She's only 26, how does she have that trust built up? She is young, she'll probably take advantage."

 

And mine is length of tenure. I've only been there a little over 3 years, while many of my coworkers have been there 20+ years. But, in the end, I think that we have to look at it like this:

 

It's not how old we are, or how long we've been there. It's about the level of commitment we're able to make and our ability to be self-disciplined enough to stay focused when not in the office. It's not for everyone, and frankly, I was scared it wouldn't be for me. But what I learned about myself is that I AM able to stay focused and committed even when no one is watching. In the end, the people I directly report to, or whose opinions matter are thrilled with the arrangement. I enjoy a great respect from them, so I make sure not to abuse the privilege they've extended to me, and it's working out famously!

And mine is length of tenure. I've only been there a little over 3 years, while many of my coworkers have been there 20+ years. But, in the end, I think that we have to look at it like this:

 

It's not how old we are, or how long we've been there. It's about the level of commitment we're able to make and our ability to be self-disciplined enough to stay focused when not in the office. It's not for everyone, and frankly, I was scared it wouldn't be for me. But what I learned about myself is that I AM able to stay focused and committed even when no one is watching. In the end, the people I directly report to, or whose opinions matter are thrilled with the arrangement. I enjoy a great respect from them, so I make sure not to abuse the privilege they've extended to me, and it's working out famously!

 

Completely agree with you. I know my limitations and I know that when it will be most beneficial for me to be in office and when it's okay and I'll get more done from home. I don't take advantage. And as a manager, I don't care where my people are working from provided they are getting things done and with quality. But I know it is not for everyone and I've seen that.

I work from home when I need to do so. I don't abuse the privilege. Disadvantages - can be slower at home going through network, not being to walk over and talk to somebody, being on a conference phone for meetings, other home distractions. Advantages - taking more breaks, get snacks from refrigerator, don't shave, work in my underwear if I want.

 

LOVE working in my pajamas.

My office is in Kentucky, however all my plants that I cover are in Chicago, Wisconsin, Detroit, areas. I could work from basically anywhere, but I enjoy getting to the office early in the morning. I can say some of the other employees look at me a little strange sometimes when I leave early, but I go home and log back in and work the rest of the day. I was off for an extended period last summer, and most people commented on how great that must be to work from home for 3 months or so. I tired of it rather quickly, and missed the office.

I do from time to time work from home, but I think this becomes a disadvantage when you take a day off of actual vacation and people from work call still expecting you to do whatever they need.

I work from home 365 days a year unless I go on vacation, then I work from the beach.

 

Maybe a little off topic but I get frustrated with people sometimes. They think because I work at home I don't really work and/or I should be able to do anything at anytime because I am home when in fact I have work to do.

I work from home 365 days a year unless I go on vacation, then I work from the beach.

 

Maybe a little off topic but I get frustrated with people sometimes. They think because I work at home I don't really work and/or I should be able to do anything at anytime because I am home when in fact I have work to do.

 

Agree 100%. Just because I'm working at home on a particular day, doesn't mean I have time to run errands for you because I didn't "go" to the office.