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I'm working from home for two weeks. Turns out 22 million other people work from home every day. I have to assume my makeshift office environment in the middle of my dining room isn't the norm for these hardworking home dwellers. Remote employees probably have a well established office space that provides them with all the operational support a typical office supplies. I'm not there...yet.
I have always thought I would thoroughly enjoy working from home. The thought of being able to switch loads of laundry and enjoy my quiet house while plugging away at emails and other administrative tasks would bring with it a an elated state of contentment. But really, it's just more work to look at while I'm trying to accomplish my normal 9-5 workload. Shaking fist at laundry, dishes and all things dirt!
I fancy myself an adequate multi-tasker [or switch tasking, whatever you want to call it] but working from home takes it to a new level. Not only am I a slave to my email and list of chamber deadlines, but there are dishwashers buzzing and dryers beeping alerting me to tasks that would appreciate my attention. For the sake of sanity, I think will have to detach from the space where I type, and consider all domestic responsibilities off limits. Or maybe just during lunch breaks. Ha!
Do you suppose men and women who make the transition from office employees to stay at home employees have to learn to leave the dirty dishes in the sink? Or is it because they have an office in the attic where they retreat and pretend the other 6-8 rooms in their house do not exist?
All this to say, 'the grass is not always greener' theory has debunked any preconceived notion that working from home would be an absolute delight. Working at home is okay, but it definitely has its challenges. I imagine with time and a bit of organization I could master the home employee lifestyle. However, I am grateful to have a beautiful office that will soon be returned...and with shiny new floors I might add.
Hats off to the other 22 million remote employees! May your dishes be dry and your laundry be folded.
Kate Abbe
The Elkhorn Chamber
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