Please note that the information on this site is offered for general purposes under normal conditions. Please adhere to all federal, state, and local guidelines relating to social distancing, the use of face coverings, and other ways to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. We strongly encourage you to read and follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Telecommute
Working from home was already on the upswing, but the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly accelerated its growth. According to the Center for Workplace Analytics, 5 million employees (3.6% of the U.S. employee workforce) were working at home half-time or more in 2018. After the emergence of the novel coronavirus, The Center for Workplace Analytics estimated “... that 25-30% of the workforce will be working-from-home multiple days a week by the end of 2021.”
Regardless of when or why you’re thinking about working from home, try to remember the three As when deciding whether it is right for you:
Can your home become a home office? Many telework experts recommend setting up a full office in a room that will not be used for other purposes. It’s important to keep your workspace separate from other activities going on in your home—but don’t take our word for it.
The primary reason employers are hesitant to allow telework is accountability. Try to ease these concerns by establishing periodic check-in times and reviewing your work plan and milestones ahead of time. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has a great list of steps and other resources for managers of teleworking employees.
While broadband is more widely available than ever before, it is important to ensure that you have adequate bandwidth to handle all the files and any VPN connections you’ll need to access. Are there web-based versions of your company’s productivity suite available? If your workplace uses an instant messaging or chat application, will you still be able to keep in touch with your colleagues?
Remember that it doesn’t have to be a permanent or exclusive arrangement. Many employers might be more inclined to let you work from home one day a week or every two weeks on a trial basis. It’s not all or nothing in your pursuit of the ultimate casual Friday, and any commute you avoid by working from home can earn rewards with GreenTrips.