I’ve been lucky enough to have worked for a company that allowed (and even required) us to telecommute from home one or two days a week. Thinking back on those circumstances compared to what I do now (working at home full time running a business) I noticed some big differences between what you can get away with acceptable work environments while running your own business versus telecommuting for a company.
I mean now, most of my clients are also women who run their own businesses with children at home, so kidlet noises in the background are not only acceptable– they are endearing. In my prior life as a telecommuter, my interactions were either with my employees or with my own boss. Screaming kids are not endearing in this situation.
So, in this spirit I’d like to offer what I see as the top ten most important tips for telecommuters, especially those who want to be able to sell increased telecommute time to their bosses.
- Lock your children in their rooms during any conference calls. Well, I guess you could use the mute button too.
- Don’t set up your home office in the kitchen or bedroom. Clients, co-workers or your boss may be able to hear you chewing or the sheets rustling.
- If you’re tempted to start drinking earlier in the day than usual, for God’s sake wait until your phone work is done.
- Do not bring the phone into the bathroom with you. No one wants to hear you conducting your “other business”.
- Keep a spray bottle handy to squirt your dog in the case of barking while you’re on the phone.
- Don’t have your iPod on shuffle while you’re on the phone. It would be most unfortunate for your boss to hear “Smoke Two Joints” in the background and get the wrong idea.
- Do not answer the phone while you are napping. Everyone knows that it’s obvious when someone just woke up. Let it go to voice mail while you pull yourself together.
- Feign ingnorance whenever your co-workers want your opinion on ABC’s Water Cooler Moments. It’s a trap.
- When in the office, don’t brag about how great it is to be able to telecommute unless all of your co-workers do too. They may begin to resent you, and how horrible would that be? (tee hee)
- If it’s possible that your boss or a co-worker may drop by, be sure to have a pair of pants within easy reach.
Tags: telecommuting, work at home
