NATIONAL WORK FROM HOME WEEK
National Work From Home Week during the second week in October recognizes the seven million people in the United States who don’t commute to work every day. The week also takes a look at the way technology changes the ways we approach remote work and its benefits.
What if there was no such thing as a morning and evening commute? For centuries, commuting to work was unheard of. Today, the prevalent practice of commuting to work is challenged by telecommuters, people who work for home. National Work From Home Week celebrates the benefits of remote work: work-life balance, time savings for companies, and environmental savings as workers burn less fuel and do not add to urban smog. The trend is on the rise with companies such as Amazon, Xerox, Dell, IBM, and Apple, Logitech, The UPS Store, ASPCA.
(Do they make pajamas with white collars?) The US. Census Bureau counts nearly 159 million civilian workers in the U S. and around 4.5 percent of that group work at least one day per week at home – 30 percent say they work while in pajamas. Most of those at home are white-collar workers. Nearly half of those working exclusively in their homes are self-employed. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says most of those working at home have an advanced degree, and are in sales and business management.
The Harvard Business Review reports that employees who work from home put their commuting counterparts’ productivity to shame. Another thing the study found is that people working from home completed 13.5% more calls than the staff in the office did.
HOW TO OBSERVE #WorkFromHomeWeek
Learn what the Harvard Business Review says are some of the benefits companies receive when employees work from home.
Consider the option, but be prepared.
It takes certain skills to work from home. You can feel out of the loop and your co-workers may think you are slacking off. So, keep it professional, be responsive. Make regular check-ins with your manager or colleagues. Maintain network relationships and outside contacts. Keep up social interactions outside your home.
On social media use# Workfromhomeweek, #WFHW or #WFH to follow the conversation.
NATIONAL WORK FROM HOME WEEK HISTORY
Recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2015 and 2016, and celebrated as #WFHWeek by webcam manufacturer Logitech and other brands such as The UPS Store, WebEx, UpWork, Zoom, ASPCA in 2017 and 2018.
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