employment
finding a job
job search
looking for work
return to work
transition
work at home
work from home
How do you give up working from home?
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
Canada
July 3, 2010 11:15am CST
I've been self-employed since 1992. I've worked on-site for clients but, for the better part of that time, I've worked from home. Circumstances are such that I've been thinking lately that it might be time to start looking for opportunities in the corporate world again (although with the jobless rate and such, there are certainly less and less of them). Have you made the transition from working at home to going "back to work" for someone else? What were your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? Did you stick to the plan or go back to working from home? Please share your stories... I feel like I have so much to consider that it's almost overwhelming.
1 person likes this
6 responses
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
3 Jul 10
I think you're going to have a hard time making that transition. Office politics and group dynamics make working outside of home a pain in the rear end. It's good to get out of the house but the drama...
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
3 Jul 10
Oh Canellita... you read my mind. I keep thinking about the drama of it all... and the traffic jams and long commutes... and having to be in the downtown core (which I HATE). There is just nothing appealing to me about making the move back - but I guess I've been trying to focus more on my long-term security. Then I get that voice in the back of my head telling me NOTHING is secure anymore so I should just keep doing what I'm doing. It's a rock and a hard place situation, really. Good to see you again 
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
4 Jul 10
That's just it; NOTHING is secure! You go through all you have to go through, you totally commit and do what you're asked above and beyond and they can still cut you loose at a moment's notice.
I think the best thing to do is to try and develop multiple streams of income.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
4 Jul 10
That's wise advise... diversifying into several areas is a lot more reliable than having all your eggs in one basket, as the saying goes. And yes, I agree... people can devote themselves entirely to a job and, with little or no notice, they have nothing. It's sure not like it was in my Dad's day where you got a job and stayed with the company until you retired. That's unheard of for the most part today.
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
7 Jul 10
Working from home is flexible and is good if one can make enough for a living. Working for people has the guarantee payout but one lost the freedom one is free to enjoy previously. It takes a while to get used to but it will simply pass when one thinks of payday.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
8 Jul 10
You are right... and sometimes the people working from home think the payday will be more reliable if they are working for other people. Although, as we were saying, these days, there aren't any guarantees anywhere it seems. I do like my freedom... so I have to decide if I can compromise that... it'll be hard to even consider.
@smileonstar (4007)
• United States
3 Jul 10
I love working outside cuz I can get out of the house and see what they are doing out there... but in the meantime I really love to have part time job at home too... sometimes this can help you a lot. Now day is hard to find a job and dont talk about the traffic...sometimes bad and sometime good
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
5 Jul 10
I think about that all the time... it's hard to find work anywhere these days -- online and offline. You're right that working outside the home keeps you "in touch with the world" but I find that, a lot of the time, I really relish the solitude and pace of working on my own. I am MUCH more stressed in my offline work and I kind of hate to bring that on myself again if I don't have to, you know?
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
3 Jul 10
I didn't give up my online jobs when I started working offline, I chose to combine the two things instead. When I returned to my home after work, I worked online.The positive things about my offline job were more money, more fresh air and more face-to-face interaction with other people, but I missed my freedom a lot.
When I work online I am able to plan my day the way that I choose and as long as I have access to the internet I can work anytime of the day or at night. I make my own goals and when I need to take to break or a vacation I can do that without asking anyone for permission. I am looking for another offline job at the moment, and I haven't given up offline work, but when I work offline I miss the freedom that online work gives me.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
4 Jul 10
I think I would do the same as you, Porcospino... even if I were to start working offline, I wouldn't give up all of what I do online. I would have to modify some of my commitments but I would not give them up completely. I'd view it as another income source, that's all :)
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
16 Jul 10
This is not an easy thing to do and is something that I have been considering lately. I have been self employed working from home for the last four years and at times it is tough financially. My wife and I both work from home running our business online and offline. I could go and get a full time job quite easily back in my old trade which would bring in around $1000 per week which in addition to the income from our business would get rid of any financial strains.
But that would leave my wife to run our business by herself and we would possibly need to hire someone to help out on a part time basis. This would also leave no time for our kids. At the moment, I love having the flexibility to be able to attend their school sports days, take them places after school and hang out with them on school holidays.
It is a matter of weighing up the time factors versus the financial factors. For me, just some part time work would suit me, but it is hard to come across part time work that pays well. Most employers want people on a full time basis or not at all. I have not really looked into it too much yet, but I am keeping my options open for the future. Good luck with your decision. It will not be easy going back into the workforce.
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
5 Jul 10
Good for you! 
It's good to have determination and to know what you want. I'm sure working at home, online, is a good option for you as a student. I wish you much luck at continuing with that, even once you graduate 
It's good to have determination and to know what you want. I'm sure working at home, online, is a good option for you as a student. I wish you much luck at continuing with that, even once you graduate 