FEATURE ARTICLE

If I Can't Work at the Office, Can I Work at Home?
By Lolita Villa

Working a full-time job (assuming you have the luck to find one these days) can be a nightmare. When going to the office, you have to deal with some potential time-wasting activities such as getting dressed up for work, being held-up in traffic, enduring long travel time or being trapped in a rigid schedule which requires you to work in one place for at least eight hours in a day.

On the other hand, you can be productive at work without having to deal with the necessary distractions that was described. It's possible to start your work day as early as you want in your most comfortable clothes. Meet your deadlines at home with the help of the speedy fax machine, Internet or telephone. Manage distractions well by taking your lunch while working on a brilliant idea that suddenly hits you.

Coordinate with your colleagues by texting them on your mobile phone, while you're taking a much needed break in front of the TV. And instead of being stuck in traffic during the rush hour, you're at home with your family, and getting ready to do another project after dinner is done. It used to be that such luxuries could be possible only to proprietors or top company execs. But even if you're just starting out in lower rungs of the corporate ladder, you can still realize this kind of flexibility.

Essentially, working on your own time can be had in a number of ways. First of all, if you work freelance, this means you get paid for each project you complete for a number of different clients. Secondly, you can work remote by negotiating a telecommuting arrangement with your employer.

Finally, you can strike up a number of part-time or contractual arrangements with several employers or clients at a given time, all of whom allow you to do your work at home. Some people may think that this is an unstable way of making a living.

But the truth is, telecommuting on the job is a trend that is being popularized by information technology and recent economic changes that are affecting the survival of corporate organizations. This new working culture allows workers to maximize their time and earning potential while adapting well even in a time of mergers, acquisitions and corporate downsizing. It is also a suitable alternative for people who aren't ready or willing to work as entrepreneurs.

On the other hand, it helps employers cut down on overhead costs by maintaining a minimal staff inside the office. But it doesn't mean that working the traditional 9-5 routine is becoming obsolete. Working the traditional way can be very fulfilling for some professionals. Furthermore, there are just some jobs which can only be accomplished inside the office.

And if you're a new graduate and working for the first time, it's best to start your career as a regular employee. Eventually, you'll find out which kind is right for you. But if and when you do decide to work away from the office, you will get a lot of perks as well as risks. Some risks include not being able to get enough projects that regularly, which will affect your income. There's also the difficulty of having a working habit if you are unused to doing a job without being supervised.

Most of all, part-time or freelance workers rarely get security benefits as part of their compensation package. On the other hand, as an independent worker, you can determine how big you want your paycheck to be. You can have the freedom to pursue self-improvement activities in your own time, update your boss through telecommunications media even when you're having an out-of-town vacation, or just be able to spend more time with your family. See also: Tips on Working Remote