Home is Home, Work is Work
Don’t get me wrong, I do plenty of work while at home…far too much, in fact. But that is working while at home…which is far different from working from home, which is now so popular.
If Iowa’s rural areas can thrive population-wise because people are able to work from home there as opposed to living in or near larger cities, I’m all for it. But working from home should be the exception, not the rule.
Sure, you’re cutting down on commuting time. But you can’t tell me that you feel or act as professional wearing your fuzzy bunny slippers while on a Zoom call as opposed to dressing in a more professional manner at a dedicated office.
The biggest issue is people working from home while also having nice offices that cost money to maintain. I suppose if a private business is okay with that, who am I to object. But it’s especially a problem when public money is being used to rent the fancy office space that now goes empty much of the time.
I’m also not a fan of the hybrid models, where you come in to the office say three days a week and work from home the other two…how does anyone know if this is an “in office” or “out of office” day? If you’re wasting time trying to take roll call, you’re not being productive.
Technology is wonderful, to allow these options…especially when there’s an Iowa blizzard popping up. But interrupting your work-from-home so you can take the laundry out of the dryer does not seem like a good way to maximize work-based productivity.
I like the idea of a minor commute, then being at a real live office. The commute allows me to ramp up, and down, from the work experience. Being dressed to greet people at an office helps form the correct work mindset. And changing out of “work clothes” into “home clothes” also is a nice practice to help separate aspects of one’s life.
I get that slippers and sweatpants are more comfortable. Still doesn’t mean it’s right.
