WORKING FROM HOME— Certain thoughts in the present scenario of Covid19

The global Corona virus pandemic has increased the work force working from home. The present crisis forced employers to allow their work force to work from home which was accepted whole heartedly with both the hands by the employees. They were able to say goodbye to the tedious commute to work place, finding affordable dwelling places, food, dress etc.

The Covid 19 has taught the employers that a percentage of the total work force working from home enable a distributed work force and it will keep the operations running even during a disaster either man made or natural. Both entry level unskilled workers to those requiring specialisation / training/expertise can work from home.

The employers must ensure that working from home is productive through proper follow up. They have to ensure that there is a designated work space set up with right technology and internet connection with required speed. There must be a scheduled way of social contacts, dealing with kids and family members, pets and other potential disruptions that can happen. One should be able to separate their work space from their personal space and use it only for work.

Take the case of Amazon, Dell Inc, Infosys, IBM, TCS etc – where they have implemented the process of working from home and have stated that by 2025 their 75% employment will be working from home (various reports in the media and news sites). It is also reported that many of the Companies may vacate 50% of their infrastructure too thus cutting down their expenditure which will have appositive impact on their bottom line.

The major negative aspect is that both the employer and at the same time employees must be able to avoid scam. Working from home has come a long way and with the present pandemic debacle it has peaked thus everybody is eager to earn a living without leaving home and hence must be very careful. The job seekers must always do a homework regarding the job providing employer so as to ensure that the firm is an established one and having good repute. Otherwise the job seekers may land into the trap of fraudsters where both are eager for money , one trying to earn for living and the fraudster using the opportunity for making easy money through cheating. For example: if working from home requires one to pay a fee upfront or need to buy a start up kit or requires parting/investment of sizeable amount, then it may probably be a scam.

The employee must stick to certain schedules otherwise they may fall into workaholic tendency (the employer need only maximum productivity). Even though it is said that there is freedom of work, added to that freedom there comes hours of uninterrupted hard work followed up by employers which makes working from home not that easy. For the employee it is working from home due to being at home, access etc but for the employer it is just an another location.

Finally working from home may be empowering, exciting and profitable and this will be to those who is aware of the pros and cons of working from home. There must be always a proper planning, focus, foresight and self discipline to make it exciting thus avoiding stress and strain.