Working from Home Business Trends
Telecommuting/Working from a Home Office Can Boost Job Satisfaction
The number of people working from home has increased 100% since 1990. Learn more about this growing trend.
A recent New York Times magazine article, “Home-Office Politics,” discussed the recent increase in the number of people working from home. The numbers have steadily increased in recent years, thanks to technology’s ability to connect workers coast to coast, country to country. Mark Penn’s new book, Microtrends, reports that 4.2 million Americans now work entirely from home (almost a 100 percent increase since 1990), and another 20 million work from home part time.
Who Works Best from Home?
During a recent NPR interview, More Americans Choosing To Work From Home, NY Times reporter Mark Bai theorized that the members of this “modern, untethered American work force” are able to work from home because they possess a particular skill set that, when aided by technology, enables them greater flexibility.
For the most part, the 4.2 million who work exclusively from home are made up of contract workers, consultants and freelancers. Bai suggests that many people can work from home, not just people who do “data entry, computer programm[ing], anyone who’s not manufacturing something or building it with their hands…anyone can [work from home].”
Can You Get More Done at Home?
According to Microtrends author Mark Penn, people who work from home put in more hours than those who report to an office on a daily basis, but report much higher rates of job satisfaction. Gone are the 4-hour snack-free meetings and the 90-minute commute surrounded by gas-guzzling SUVs. People are reclaiming their home lives by being there more often, and in spite of being home more--or perhaps because of it--they’re more productive and contented employees.
Home Workers Are Not Alone
Home-workers who find themselves longing for companionship may want to look for a Jelly. Jelly was developed by two friends living in New York City who liked working from home but missed the “creative brainstorming, sharing, and camaraderie of a traditional office.” Jelly creator Amit Guptah and his roommate Luke decided to invite friends over once a week to talk and share ideas, providing food, sufficient outlets to accommodate laptops, and an Internet connection.
Soon, Jelly became so popular that Jellies popped up in Boston, Houston, DC, Philadelphia (there, it’s called “Cream Cheese”) and other cities around the world. In an NPR interview, when asked about the appeal of Jelly, Amit Guptah noted simply, “office environments are stifling, but at least [the Jelly] gets you out of the house.”
Sign Me Up!
Think you’re ready to be a part of this satisfying new trend, but aren’t quite ready to take the leap into consulting or contract work? Take an inventory of the way you use your time at the office. If you’re already spending a large part of your day on the phone or Internet, you may be perfectly situated to make the transition to working from home. Start slowly, and see how it goes. Broach the idea with your boss by suggesting that you work from home one day a week.
Find a place in your home that’s free of distractions and clutter and set your priorities for the day. Like many people, you may find that having fewer interruptions will enable you to be more productive, all from the comfort of your favorite pair of jeans and that ugly green sweater that no one ever has to see.
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