Comments on: My New Fear of Working from Home http://grahamchastney.com/2009/08/my-new-fear-of-working-from-home/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=my-new-fear-of-working-from-home The rambling of a technologist trying to find a way through Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:12:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Graham Chastneyhttp://grahamchastney.com/2009/08/my-new-fear-of-working-from-home/#comment-429 Graham Chastney Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:56:55 +0000 http://grahamchastney.com/2009/08/my-new-fear-of-working-from-home/#comment-429 It's an interesting point Sam, unfortunately I'm not in a position to know, because I've been out a lot recently. I had the same feelings when I returned from the LEF tour. It’s an interesting point Sam, unfortunately I’m not in a position to know, because I’ve been out a lot recently. I had the same feelings when I returned from the LEF tour.

]]> By: Samantha Sheppardhttp://grahamchastney.com/2009/08/my-new-fear-of-working-from-home/#comment-428 Samantha Sheppard Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:40:59 +0000 http://grahamchastney.com/2009/08/my-new-fear-of-working-from-home/#comment-428 Being slow to the mark on my response. I was wondering if you still have this fear? I notice the fears raises its head after taking time off work. I also find that the few days I work in an office means that I really enjoy working from home. Personally I wouldn't want to work for an employeer who didn't allow this degree of flexability. Being slow to the mark on my response. I was wondering if you still have this fear? I notice the fears raises its head after taking time off work.

I also find that the few days I work in an office means that I really enjoy working from home. Personally I wouldn’t want to work for an employeer who didn’t allow this degree of flexability.

]]> By: Graham Chastneyhttp://grahamchastney.com/2009/08/my-new-fear-of-working-from-home/#comment-427 Graham Chastney Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:37:32 +0000 http://grahamchastney.com/2009/08/my-new-fear-of-working-from-home/#comment-427 Thanks for the comments Dave, Vince and Martyn. It's good to see that I'm not on my own. Thanks for the comments Dave, Vince and Martyn. It’s good to see that I’m not on my own.

]]> By: Martyn Dewshttp://grahamchastney.com/2009/08/my-new-fear-of-working-from-home/#comment-426 Martyn Dews Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:09:46 +0000 http://grahamchastney.com/2009/08/my-new-fear-of-working-from-home/#comment-426 I agree with many of your comments and concerns although I think you have little to worry about. I have to say that I am much more productive when I am at home. Indeed my wife would state that I work longer hours when I am at home, maily because when I am in the office I often have to be back for several of the kids social events, you know how it is. Therefore, my emplyer gets more out of me when I am at home and I don't mind too much because I am able to see the family more which is a real benefit as far as I am concenred. There is the fear of being sidelined as you put it, but to be honest I am busier now than I ever have been and get more requests for my time than I used to. On top of that when I do go in the office, many people I deal with are not often there or work elsewhere in the country or even the world and so I find that I just catch up on office gossip. Then there is the environmental bit. I'm not a huge "Tree Hugger" but I like to do my bit, if only for my own pocket. All emplyers are trying to economise at the moment so I don't see why I shouldn't do the same. What's the point of me wasting £50 of petrol per week, sitting in the jams when I don't really need to? I think so long as you can be diciplined about working from home, make sure that other people are aware of the work you do then there's not much to worry about. I'll get the sack next week just watch! I agree with many of your comments and concerns although I think you have little to worry about. I have to say that I am much more productive when I am at home. Indeed my wife would state that I work longer hours when I am at home, maily because when I am in the office I often have to be back for several of the kids social events, you know how it is. Therefore, my emplyer gets more out of me when I am at home and I don’t mind too much because I am able to see the family more which is a real benefit as far as I am concenred.

There is the fear of being sidelined as you put it, but to be honest I am busier now than I ever have been and get more requests for my time than I used to. On top of that when I do go in the office, many people I deal with are not often there or work elsewhere in the country or even the world and so I find that I just catch up on office gossip.

Then there is the environmental bit. I’m not a huge “Tree Hugger” but I like to do my bit, if only for my own pocket. All emplyers are trying to economise at the moment so I don’t see why I shouldn’t do the same. What’s the point of me wasting £50 of petrol per week, sitting in the jams when I don’t really need to?

I think so long as you can be diciplined about working from home, make sure that other people are aware of the work you do then there’s not much to worry about.

I’ll get the sack next week just watch!

]]> By: Vincehttp://grahamchastney.com/2009/08/my-new-fear-of-working-from-home/#comment-425 Vince Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:01:20 +0000 http://grahamchastney.com/2009/08/my-new-fear-of-working-from-home/#comment-425 You have written many of the things I have thought and experienced. I think that I've come through and many of the fears, especially the one about continuing to work when at home - just because it's there. That I have resolved. I have, and I'm still surprised at it, the same work pattern at home as when in the office - predominately the same start and finish times. The fact that I don't spend 90+ minutes travelling is 90+ minutes I have gained on my personal life. I also find the missing out aspect from the office is both in terms of sheer personal contact and the serendipity of being with other people - especially peers. What I have struggled with is my perceived lack of making progress on things in the office because I seem to spend time talking to people, drinking coffee, and that chatting thing. I console myself by saying that is one of the main reasons for coming to the office and so I shouldn't feel guilty. See my posting at http://homepage.mac.com/vsmith1/files/fd740e7e9bec647bbf9931c7f677bb7e-34.html You have written many of the things I have thought and experienced. I think that I’ve come through and many of the fears, especially the one about continuing to work when at home – just because it’s there. That I have resolved. I have, and I’m still surprised at it, the same work pattern at home as when in the office – predominately the same start and finish times. The fact that I don’t spend 90+ minutes travelling is 90+ minutes I have gained on my personal life.
I also find the missing out aspect from the office is both in terms of sheer personal contact and the serendipity of being with other people – especially peers. What I have struggled with is my perceived lack of making progress on things in the office because I seem to spend time talking to people, drinking coffee, and that chatting thing. I console myself by saying that is one of the main reasons for coming to the office and so I shouldn’t feel guilty. See my posting at http://homepage.mac.com/vsmith1/files/fd740e7e9bec647bbf9931c7f677bb7e-34.html

]]> By: Dave Turnerhttp://grahamchastney.com/2009/08/my-new-fear-of-working-from-home/#comment-424 Dave Turner Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:58:52 +0000 http://grahamchastney.com/2009/08/my-new-fear-of-working-from-home/#comment-424 As someone who works from home frequently, I totally understand and empathise with most of your concerns. Another problem I find is the lack of a 'sounding board' where you may just want to spend a couple of minutes, talking through some thoughts or ideas to colleagues off the cuff, without having to arrange appointments. It isn't the same on the phone, video conf etc. I also think that your point on missing out extends to missing out on business related information that is often discussed between colleagues in the office, but never formally communicated - a form of business gossip - which can help you early in your thought process. On that same point, I wouldn't worry too much about being sidelined if I was you. Way too much knowledge and ability for that too happen no matter where you work. As someone who works from home frequently, I totally understand and empathise with most of your concerns. Another problem I find is the lack of a ‘sounding board’ where you may just want to spend a couple of minutes, talking through some thoughts or ideas to colleagues off the cuff, without having to arrange appointments. It isn’t the same on the phone, video conf etc.
I also think that your point on missing out extends to missing out on business related information that is often discussed between colleagues in the office, but never formally communicated – a form of business gossip – which can help you early in your thought process.
On that same point, I wouldn’t worry too much about being sidelined if I was you. Way too much knowledge and ability for that too happen no matter where you work.

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