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Work No Longer a Place but an Activity
r.future writes "A story that I found over on MobileBeta that talks about how now technology such as broadband, and WiFi are becoming more and more common place. People can (and I believe may one day be required) to work at home. Here's a small clip from the story: 'According to a recent AT&T survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), 80% of companies worldwide expect to have employees who telework by 2005, up from 54% in 2003. The International Telework Association & Council (ITAC) recently reported the number of home-based teleworkers in the US grew 63.2% between 1999 and 2003.'"
...nor broadband. especially not wi-fi
Actually broadband does make a big difference. Broadband makes things like using VPN a reality. Now days with bloated files that get produced, having to download the latest budget spreadsheet or that 40 slide powerpoint presentation would be unworkable (notice I didn't say undoable) if you had to wait 45 minutes for it to download. With VPN, you can grab the file, work on it and save it without too much worry (other than crap isp reliability, but that's another story).
I think the point about wifi isn't so much that it helps the home warrior, but it does present more opportunities to work outside the office. I've used several hotspots to work at places like bookstores and coffee shops when I just "wanted to get out of the office". Also helps for keeping in touch when I'm running errands, etc.
That is why when you start working from home you need to set up an "office". Whether it is an actual separate room or at least an area where you have your work stuff. I have found it to be helpful to keep that area clear of non work related stuff.
r kshop3. htm
There are several other key things to do when working from home...
Follow the same routine that you would when you physically go to work.
Get dressed.
Get some coffee (or your normal morning drink and/or some breakfast).
As a side note, I find that on the days I work from home I eat breakfast more often and I choose more healthy breakfast foods.
Working from home takes some discipline but I find that when I do work from home I get more work done as there are not so many "walk-up". Ie, co-workers stopping to chat and/or co-workers using me as their reference guide for their current client issue.
In my current position it could be done 100% from anywhere there is a broadband link and cell phone reception. I only telework two days a week as I still like to show my face in the office. There are also some meetings that we have that I like to have a physical presence at as well. It is much more effective IMO when you are making an "angry face" in a meeting then when you do it over the phone. Granted you can learn how to voice your anger at your project possibly being under funded or whatever but it is easier to show your emotions physically then verbally.
(I prefer telework to telecommute as it puts the emphasis on "work", instead of a side benefit of not having to commute).
For more information on telework and proposing it to your boss/company check out this link.
http://www.telecommute.org/telework/1999wo
IIRC: Tax codes require dedicated office space used ONLY for home office work. Guess I can not claim the 4 sq foot of my couch as an office unless I do not use it any other time. (Apparently you need to prove this 100% work use or they "getcha")
:)
Even when you can claim it... you get a percentage of expenses VS your total square footage. Anybody with enough space to spare in their house is not likely to get a good percentage of expenses.
Still if you have a large basement you do not use... (33-50% of you expenses...)
Good luck, just remember follow the law to the letter and they can't do jack
"americans on call 24 hours a day"
You have to stipulate that you are not on call 24 hours. I work at home 100% of the time. The people that I work with know that if there is an emergency they can call me just about any time. But, if there are too many "emergencies" then I stop answering their calls outside of business hours.