Thought of the Day - October 8 - Is Working from Home Working for You?

Face it, for many of us working from home is not just a temporary fix, it is the new normal. With this in mind I am surprised how many people have not yet thought through the effect it has on their lives. Working-from-home impacts your career, your pocket book, your health and ultimately your life. It is understandable that people and work organizations did not fully comprehend the implications of the Novel Corona Virus back in the spring, and of course there were many more pressing issues that needed timely attention. But it has now been nine months.

While I am sure there are many articles that touch on each and every one of these topics, and many more beside, I figure I would brainstorm a list. The list is long and by no means complete. I have setup work-for-home policies and practices before, this is not new, but this time it is much more far reaching. Finally a disclaimer. Take what is applicable to you. Much depends on your role, your field, your level of risk-tolerance, your lifestyle and your aspirations.

So, in no particular order:

Financial:

• Have you researched what tax deductions are allowed for office expenses? You may have heard you can write-off part of your dwelling, but remember you might be exposing yourself to capital gains on part of your principal residence;

• Have aligned your finances with your new lifestyle? For example you may no longer need that second car, or even a first one, or at least why not enjoy an "ICBC holiday";

• Do you need to adjust your work organization's benefits?

• Can you still go to the office to enjoy "free coffee", "urban parking", "unlimited stationary and supplies"?

• Did you collect CERB or other pandemic subsidies this year? I could be the right time to optimize your tax situation;

Physical:

• Is your "home office" setup properly? While at times ergonomics in the workplace is either "lipstick on a pig" or "icing on the cake", it is really important at home. Occasional work at home is good for you physically - anew environment, diet, working positions - but home furniture, lighting, etc. is not designed for many hours of uninterrupted use. Your dining chairs do not have lumbar support, your kitchen table is not the right height, and the poor lighting in your flex-room can affect your eyesight. Have you considered seeing if you can t "take home" furniture from the office?

• Is your home office well segregated or is it slowly taking over your living space?

• How about work habits. Work organizations do not provide "free coffee" because they want to subsidize coffee companies, it is a mental stimulant and going to the coffee station is physical stimulant (and oh, by the way, they don't want you to leave the premises). Anyway, are you still taking hourly "physical breaks"?

• Bottom line, does your current dwelling cut it, if you have to work from home for another six months, or five years?

Career:

• Is the organization you are working for the right one to excel in a work-from-home reality;

• Are you dressing for success for each and every Zoom meeting, or do you still believe that you are allowed to slum-it? Is backdrop presented professional? Do you have dog that barks, bird that squawks, or child that squeals - remember they are only cute the first time;

• Have you volunteered to help resolve areas in which your work organization is lacking?

• Have you adopted new methods of communication so you are still in the "inner circle"?

• Are you setting effective goals for yourself or just "winging it" thinking this is temporary;

• Are you an exemplar in the use of required technology?

• If you are using your own equipment, is it time to invest in your career? Competitive games players buy state of the art equipment - for a reason, it makes them more competitive. You need to make sure the equipment you are using is at least sufficient (a decent set of headphones does wonders). If people can't see you or hear you at least, as well as your colleagues, you are missing out;

• You are saving commuting time. Have you split this 50/50 with your work organization or are you simply working longer hours?

• If you are currently looking for employment, maybe you should keep some of these factors in mind as selection criteria ( Thought of the Day - July 7 - Coronavirus and Employment Turnover ).

Policy:

• Has your organization put in place effective policies, and are you familiar with them? For example do you need supplemental insurance - if you get robbed and work materials are stolen, what happens? If you fall downstairs during the day do you know if it is a workplace accident?

• Are you using your home PC for work? The software on it maybe "free" for personal use but it is illegal to use for "work". Is company confidential data migrating onto your home PC, or is personal information or copyrighted material, such as music, migrating onto a work PC?

• Does your work organization make house calls, if your PC fails on a critical day?

Physiological:

• Is working-from-home really working for you? Are you lonely and missing interactions with your colleagues? If so fix it, now.

• Is working-from-home affecting your home life? Are you able to leaving work "at work" yet still able to talking about the intrusions that working-from-home makes on your family or partner? If not fix it, now.

• Do you find yourself checking social media more and more? If so fix it, now.

• Can you say you are you happier, healthier and wealthier working at home? If not fix it, now ( Thought of the Day - April 6 - There Could Be a New Renaissance Starting ).

In summary, make sure you approach working-from-home is long-term opportunity, not a short-term necessity.

Cheers

Cliff