Will Work-at-Home Opportunities Remain and Expand After Coronavirus?

[Em in Ohio]

The pandemic has forced many companies to adapt, having their employees work remotely. (This has been a growing trend prior to the crisis. "As of 2019, the number of companies with remote workforce is getting bigger — 66% of companies allow remote work and 16% are fully remote.")

I am wondering if many businesses will decide that they don't need to call back all workers to the physical location. There are economic benefits to companies and to workers. Plus, the air pollution problems have been greatly reduced due to the lack of cars on the roads. Thoughts?

 

[Packerjohn]

There have been articles in the media regarding working at home for several years now; way before the present Coronavirus problems. Some people have said that its wonderful. No long commune with the car & the savings on gas & parking. You can work in your PJs, etc. Others have said that they miss the company of co-workers; the jokes, the coffee breaks, etc. Some have said that it gets lonely by yourself at home & then there is always the cooking, vacuuming & other home duties starring at you. These are just some of the issues. There are advantages/disadvantages for both ways. No paradise on this earth, I'm afraid. I have been retired for about 20 years so it's not an issue with me. I used to teach in a high school so I would really miss the students & the fellow staff. Sitting all day in front of a screen would "drive me to drink", I think. You would be trapped in front of your computer day after day. I'm happy to be "happily retired".

 

[Em in Ohio]

There have been articles in the media regarding working at home for several years now; way before the present Coronavirus problems. Some people have said that its wonderful. No long commune with the car & the savings on gas & parking. You can work in your PJs, etc. Others have said that they miss the company of co-workers; the jokes, the coffee breaks, etc. Some have said that it gets lonely by yourself at home & then there is always the cooking, vacuuming & other home duties starring at you. These are just some of the issues. There are advantages/disadvantages for both ways. No paradise on this earth, I'm afraid. I have been retired for about 20 years so it's not an issue with me. I used to teach in a high school so I would really miss the students & the fellow staff. Sitting all day in front of a screen would "drink me to drink", I think. You would be trapped in front of your computer day after day. I'm happy to be "happily retired".

Great feedback, Packerjohn. While work from home would work for me, it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea!

 

[Gardenlover]

I've worked from home for the past ten years. I believe I am more productive, but this isn't the case for everyone. My youngest son just started working from home because of the shelter-in-place orders. It drives him nuts and says it is hard to be focused.

I miss the interaction with others, but we still get together at times for meetings, but even those are done remotely from time to time.

I would think it would be more cost effective for businesses as they wouldn't have to own/rent a building to house the entire staff.

 

[Aneeda72]

I like that my husband works from home which is surprising since I don’t necessarily like my husband. But he takes the puppies out on his break and when he finishes work. He works 9pm to 3am.

It saves money on gas, food, since he always buys stuff on the way to work and at work, and clothing. I think after this, he will just work from home.

 

[Em in Ohio]

I've worked from home for the past ten years. I believe I am more productive, but this isn't the case for everyone. My youngest son just started working from home because of the shelter-in-place orders. He drives him nuts and says it is hard to be focused.

I miss the interaction with others, but we still get together at times for meetings, but even those are done remotely from time to time.

I would think it would be more cost effective for businesses as they wouldn't have to own/rent a building to house the entire staff.

That's my thought - I see benefits all around... lower insurance premiums, no wardrobe expenses, no need to keep a car in reliable shape (my car is hitting 16 years old and I'm hoping it is my last!) For people like your son, it may take some time to adjust. I have done online classes, so I know my concentration is up to the task - but then, I don't have small children or anyone else to distract me. It will be interesting to see what happens when this crisis passes. I'm hoping there are many more legitimate work from home opportunities.

 

[Em in Ohio]

I like that my husband works from home which is surprising since I don’t necessarily like my husband. But he takes the puppies out on his break and when he finishes work. He works 9pm to 3am.

It saves money on gas, food, since he always buys stuff on the way to work and at work, and clothing. I think after this, he will just work from home.

I do like your sense of humor!

 

[Ferocious]

A radio presenter asked a caller, "With the lockdown situation, can you work from home?"

The caller replied, "I'd love to, but the problem is, I'd never the the crane into my living room."

 

[Don M.]

Every day, millions of people crowd the streets and highways, during morning and evening rush hours....only to sit at a desk, in front of a computer all day. Other than a "meeting", there is little reason for them to be in a crowded office environment. Perhaps, as a result of this virus, many companies will re-evaluate their policies, and find numerous ways for many of these employees to work from home, permanently.

The savings, for both the employees, and the companies, would be substantial, and the reduction in pollution and roadway repairs would benefit everyone. Many of these office buildings could easily be repurposed to provide affordable housing for those who can barely afford to keep a roof over their heads.

 

[Ken N Tx]

I have a son and 2 daughters that work from home for about 2 years now..They go into the office maybe once a week..They love it!!

 

[RadishRose]

I began working remotely about 3 years before I retired. My company supplied-

the computer with their own OS loaded and all peripherals.
$50.00 per month for Internet service (at the time) which we were free to use for our own PC's.

They required we have-

A separate room for the office
Desk and chair
Child care, as if we still worked in the office.

I saved money as mentioned on the car etc.
They saved a fortune on leases for 3 office buildings and security.

The only thing I missed was the cafeteria.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

Working from home sounds good. Not all people are self disciplined to do that. And working from home is somewhat difficult if your are a janitor. And maybe, you'd like your nurse to actually be near your hospital bed. Of course, there's the home steel mill you could set up in your kitchen, next to your kitchen auto plant. There are jobs, where the location of where they are performed is irrelevant. but I'm not sure to what extent those jobs exist.

 

[Aneeda72]

Telemarking people work from home, sign.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

Telemarketers work from hell.

 

[Gaer]

I was wondering about the school system. After they get organized with online classes, will some of this remain? A problem would be social integration would be halted.
This is all so surreal! People will have to hold their natural responses and think twice before any interaction. I don't think society will go back to what was before.

 

[DaveA]

Working from home sounds good. Not all people are self disciplined to do that. And working from home is somewhat difficult if your are a janitor. And maybe, you'd like your nurse to actually be near your hospital bed. Of course, there's the home steel mill you could set up in your kitchen, next to your kitchen auto plant. There are jobs, where the location of where they are performed is irrelevant. but I'm not sure to what extent those jobs exist.

I'm beginning to wonder myself, at least folks on this forum? Did anyone work in some setting other than an office? I spent the last 10 years of my employment as the district environmental engineer and did spend most of my time in the office but the 25 years prior to that were spent supervising Interstate Highway construction projects. Tough to get those highways built, that we now enjoyably use with our cars and RV's, while sitting behind a computer or answering phones. Most are in my own area, built in the 60's - 80's, and I travel them regularly today.

 

[Em in Ohio]

I began working remotely about 3 years before I retired. My company supplied-

the computer with their own OS loaded and all peripherals.
$50.00 per month for Internet service (at the time) which we were free to use for our own PC's.

They required we have-

A separate room for the office
Desk and chair
Child care, as if we still worked in the office.

I saved money as mentioned on the car etc.
They saved a fortune on leases for 3 office buildings and security.

The only thing I missed was the cafeteria.

Are they hiring??? For me, this sounds ideal!