Comments on: The best and worst of working from home http://thoughtsontranslation.com/2008/12/03/the-best-and-worst-of-working-from-home/ ...the translation industry and becoming a translator Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:30:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Holly http://thoughtsontranslation.com/2008/12/03/the-best-and-worst-of-working-from-home/#comment-834 Holly Sat, 06 Dec 2008 08:03:27 +0000 http://corinnemckay.wordpress.com/?p=380#comment-834 Thanks for the thought-provoking post. I can definitely relate! I would add flexibility of environment to your pro #1; sometimes I am pounding away at a large project and it is a great relief to grab my laptop and head to a local coffee shop or bakery (around here there are a few locally-owned places, plus chains such as Starbucks, Panera, and Atlanta Bread Company). Sometimes a change of scenery helps me feel refreshed and focus on my work, and it also keeps me from taking too many breaks to do different things around the house. Likewise, I can travel to visit family without being 100% out of office, which allows me to spend more time with them than I ever would get with the 2 weeks of vacation other jobs would provide. Thanks for the thought-provoking post. I can definitely relate!

I would add flexibility of environment to your pro #1; sometimes I am pounding away at a large project and it is a great relief to grab my laptop and head to a local coffee shop or bakery (around here there are a few locally-owned places, plus chains such as Starbucks, Panera, and Atlanta Bread Company). Sometimes a change of scenery helps me feel refreshed and focus on my work, and it also keeps me from taking too many breaks to do different things around the house.

Likewise, I can travel to visit family without being 100% out of office, which allows me to spend more time with them than I ever would get with the 2 weeks of vacation other jobs would provide.

]]> By: Alejandro http://thoughtsontranslation.com/2008/12/03/the-best-and-worst-of-working-from-home/#comment-832 Alejandro Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:02:51 +0000 http://corinnemckay.wordpress.com/?p=380#comment-832 Best: no conmute (I live in a big city...) Worst: Social isolation. Great blog! Best: no conmute (I live in a big city…)
Worst: Social isolation.

Great blog!

]]> By: Corinne McKay http://thoughtsontranslation.com/2008/12/03/the-best-and-worst-of-working-from-home/#comment-828 Corinne McKay Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:21:24 +0000 http://corinnemckay.wordpress.com/?p=380#comment-828 @Damien, thanks for your comment and I'm glad you're enjoying the blog! I think you're exactly right that in order to preserve some semblance of sanity and free time, you just have to learn to turn down work. It's hard, especially if you work with direct clients or any clients who claim they can't live without you, but it's worth a try! @Kevin, I had completely forgotten about the freedom from problematic co-workers, thanks for the reminder! Seriously, this is one issue that nearly everyone I know who has an in-house job grapples with: politics, incompetence, control issues, etc. and as freelancers, I think you're correct that we just eliminate those clients or co-translators from our work mix. @Michael, I definitely agree that having a kid/s makes a big difference in the isolation of working from home. Even if you're alone during the school day, there are those copious school vacations, plus the friends who come over after school, sports and activities as you mentioned, etc. Have you checked out any co-working possibilities? @MT, I really wish we knew who you are because you are really smart :) The meritocracy thing is *so* true, it's so nice to be spared the requirement of warming a chair (or treadmill!) for 8 hours a day when sometimes you can get the work done in a lot less time. And benefits...ugh!! So far we have access to a decent health insurance policy for individuals ($350 a month for 3 people), but one of my main financial fears is one of us coming down with a chronic or costly illness that our insurance won't cover, and what happens if our cost suddenly goes up to $1,000 per month or more. Thanks for your comments! @Judy, I'm so glad that you're loving freelancing! I have a hard time envisioning you being socially deprived (voted ATA conference's most fun person for 4 years in a row!). Great point about the time and energy that is wasted on dealing with workplace issues; who needs that! @MF, where was this coworking+childcare idea when my daughter was little:) I'm hoping that a coworking place will open up in Boulder soon, I would like to try it. @Celine, thanks for your comment. I'm slowly thinking about a coworking environment; there's also a fun cafe with free WiFi about a 10 minute walk from my house, so I'm thinking about hanging out there more too. @Damien, thanks for your comment and I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog! I think you’re exactly right that in order to preserve some semblance of sanity and free time, you just have to learn to turn down work. It’s hard, especially if you work with direct clients or any clients who claim they can’t live without you, but it’s worth a try!

@Kevin, I had completely forgotten about the freedom from problematic co-workers, thanks for the reminder! Seriously, this is one issue that nearly everyone I know who has an in-house job grapples with: politics, incompetence, control issues, etc. and as freelancers, I think you’re correct that we just eliminate those clients or co-translators from our work mix.

@Michael, I definitely agree that having a kid/s makes a big difference in the isolation of working from home. Even if you’re alone during the school day, there are those copious school vacations, plus the friends who come over after school, sports and activities as you mentioned, etc. Have you checked out any co-working possibilities?

@MT, I really wish we knew who you are because you are really smart :) The meritocracy thing is *so* true, it’s so nice to be spared the requirement of warming a chair (or treadmill!) for 8 hours a day when sometimes you can get the work done in a lot less time. And benefits…ugh!! So far we have access to a decent health insurance policy for individuals ($350 a month for 3 people), but one of my main financial fears is one of us coming down with a chronic or costly illness that our insurance won’t cover, and what happens if our cost suddenly goes up to $1,000 per month or more. Thanks for your comments!

@Judy, I’m so glad that you’re loving freelancing! I have a hard time envisioning you being socially deprived (voted ATA conference’s most fun person for 4 years in a row!). Great point about the time and energy that is wasted on dealing with workplace issues; who needs that!

@MF, where was this coworking+childcare idea when my daughter was little:) I’m hoping that a coworking place will open up in Boulder soon, I would like to try it.

@Celine, thanks for your comment. I’m slowly thinking about a coworking environment; there’s also a fun cafe with free WiFi about a 10 minute walk from my house, so I’m thinking about hanging out there more too.

]]> By: céline http://thoughtsontranslation.com/2008/12/03/the-best-and-worst-of-working-from-home/#comment-826 céline Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:02:50 +0000 http://corinnemckay.wordpress.com/?p=380#comment-826 I'm a huge fan of coworking. I find it motivating, inspirational and fun. Let us know if you give it a go! I’m a huge fan of coworking. I find it motivating, inspirational and fun. Let us know if you give it a go!

]]> By: M. F. Chapman http://thoughtsontranslation.com/2008/12/03/the-best-and-worst-of-working-from-home/#comment-825 M. F. Chapman Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:12:27 +0000 http://corinnemckay.wordpress.com/?p=380#comment-825 Hi there, So you have captured some of the best. I have worked from home for 6 years but recently started a coworking + childcare site and enjoy working from there to avoid the social isolation. I also think that it is easy to get distracted and hard to get started on work at home. When I go to a space to work, I drop down my laptop and get focused. And when I take a break there's people to hang out with. You should definitely drop-in on a coworking space. They are a nice alternative to working from home all the time while still giving you the flexibility. Hi there,

So you have captured some of the best. I have worked from home for 6 years but recently started a coworking + childcare site and enjoy working from there to avoid the social isolation. I also think that it is easy to get distracted and hard to get started on work at home. When I go to a space to work, I drop down my laptop and get focused. And when I take a break there’s people to hang out with. You should definitely drop-in on a coworking space. They are a nice alternative to working from home all the time while still giving you the flexibility.

]]> By: Judy Jenner http://thoughtsontranslation.com/2008/12/03/the-best-and-worst-of-working-from-home/#comment-822 Judy Jenner Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:11:27 +0000 http://corinnemckay.wordpress.com/?p=380#comment-822 Ah, so very true. For me, the best and worst is also flexibility. The worst is never truly being off of work, and always racing to the computer. And even though I am my own boss, I still feel pseudo-guilty when I am out and about during "office hours". I need to move past that, as I can work all night, too! A huge pro for me is the lack of distraction/unnecessary friction/waste of time that is generated by office gossip, personality conflicts, power struggles, etc. -- all those things that take up a huge amount of energy. I don't have any of that, so I really can focus 100% on the task at hand. I don't miss my long commute, even in a Prius, that's for sure! I was pretty worried about social isolation, but that hasn't happened: I am out and about all the time, and many clients or potential clients are also friends. All in all, after six years' part-time freelancing and three months' full-time freelancing, my verdict is simple: I love it. Ah, so very true. For me, the best and worst is also flexibility. The worst is never truly being off of work, and always racing to the computer. And even though I am my own boss, I still feel pseudo-guilty when I am out and about during “office hours”. I need to move past that, as I can work all night, too! A huge pro for me is the lack of distraction/unnecessary friction/waste of time that is generated by office gossip, personality conflicts, power struggles, etc. — all those things that take up a huge amount of energy. I don’t have any of that, so I really can focus 100% on the task at hand. I don’t miss my long commute, even in a Prius, that’s for sure! I was pretty worried about social isolation, but that hasn’t happened: I am out and about all the time, and many clients or potential clients are also friends. All in all, after six years’ part-time freelancing and three months’ full-time freelancing, my verdict is simple: I love it.

]]> By: MT http://thoughtsontranslation.com/2008/12/03/the-best-and-worst-of-working-from-home/#comment-821 MT Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:53:12 +0000 http://corinnemckay.wordpress.com/?p=380#comment-821 Other pros of the freelance life are: - higher pay (in an office employment setting, your pay is determined not only by your work, but by office politics. If you're disabled or not white or older or gay or a woman... there's the potential to earn less because of this in an office-type job. As a freelancer, people don't take those things into account. It's more of a meritocracy. Your earnings are tied more to your business skills, translation skills, work speed, client pool, etc.) - work speed (in an office you might have to sit there looking busy until the clock chimes 5 p.m. As a freelancer, if you can do 8 hours of work in 4 hours, more power to you. If you only want to accept 2 hours of work in the first place because the dog is sick or you're baking pies or whatever, well, that's your business. It sometimes feels like you never get away from work, but on the other hand, once you send the job in, you don't have to sit there pretending to look busy!) Cons: - health insurance, retirement planning and withholding taxes (you need to cobble together all this stuff on your own and do it all yourself. No small feat in the U.S. these days.) - in an office you can call in sick and go on (usually paid) vacation. Freelancers' clients don't like to hear that your kid is sick and you couldn't finish the job on time. And when you go on vacation, not only do you have to pay for the vacation but you have to do without the income you would have been earning if you'd been working. - human resources, accounting, tech help. If you have computer problems or clients who are past or want to take maternity/paternity leave, well, in an office there's usually someone to call. A freelancer is left to his own devices. Other pros of the freelance life are:
- higher pay (in an office employment setting, your pay is determined not only by your work, but by office politics. If you’re disabled or not white or older or gay or a woman… there’s the potential to earn less because of this in an office-type job. As a freelancer, people don’t take those things into account. It’s more of a meritocracy. Your earnings are tied more to your business skills, translation skills, work speed, client pool, etc.)
- work speed (in an office you might have to sit there looking busy until the clock chimes 5 p.m. As a freelancer, if you can do 8 hours of work in 4 hours, more power to you. If you only want to accept 2 hours of work in the first place because the dog is sick or you’re baking pies or whatever, well, that’s your business. It sometimes feels like you never get away from work, but on the other hand, once you send the job in, you don’t have to sit there pretending to look busy!)

Cons:
- health insurance, retirement planning and withholding taxes (you need to cobble together all this stuff on your own and do it all yourself. No small feat in the U.S. these days.)
- in an office you can call in sick and go on (usually paid) vacation. Freelancers’ clients don’t like to hear that your kid is sick and you couldn’t finish the job on time. And when you go on vacation, not only do you have to pay for the vacation but you have to do without the income you would have been earning if you’d been working.
- human resources, accounting, tech help. If you have computer problems or clients who are past or want to take maternity/paternity leave, well, in an office there’s usually someone to call. A freelancer is left to his own devices.

]]> By: sibylle http://thoughtsontranslation.com/2008/12/03/the-best-and-worst-of-working-from-home/#comment-820 sibylle Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:52:52 +0000 http://corinnemckay.wordpress.com/?p=380#comment-820 Option to work part time. I write part time, and have a second job as a ski instructor - when I see lots of people all day. for those of us who are single, it's not 5 - 10 hours a day alone, but 24 hours a day of seeing no one. Option to work part time. I write part time, and have a second job as a ski instructor – when I see lots of people all day.
for those of us who are single, it’s not 5 – 10 hours a day alone, but 24 hours a day of seeing no one.

]]> By: Michael http://thoughtsontranslation.com/2008/12/03/the-best-and-worst-of-working-from-home/#comment-819 Michael Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:31:04 +0000 http://corinnemckay.wordpress.com/?p=380#comment-819 I freelanced for a number of years, then worked in-house, then went freelance again. You mentioned most of the pros and cons, and I'd like to add, on the pro side, not having a boss (but maybe that's part of Flexibility). The con is that I sometimes miss working in a team with other translators. Many questions could be answered more quickly and more efficiently in a quick exchange with a colleague – and phone or e-mail are no substitute. Social isolation has become more of a problem after our daughter graduated from school and the regular contacts through school, sports teams etc. stopped. I joined a local business group with weekly meetings to have a structure for contact, and it helped a great deal. A friend of mine, a literary translator in a different city, decided to stop working from home and is renting space in an office coop so that he can be with people during the day. Sometimes I talk to translators who are thinking about going out on their own and I always tell them not to underestimate how lonely a situation it usually is. I freelanced for a number of years, then worked in-house, then went freelance again. You mentioned most of the pros and cons, and I’d like to add, on the pro side, not having a boss (but maybe that’s part of Flexibility). The con is that I sometimes miss working in a team with other translators. Many questions could be answered more quickly and more efficiently in a quick exchange with a colleague – and phone or e-mail are no substitute. Social isolation has become more of a problem after our daughter graduated from school and the regular contacts through school, sports teams etc. stopped. I joined a local business group with weekly meetings to have a structure for contact, and it helped a great deal. A friend of mine, a literary translator in a different city, decided to stop working from home and is renting space in an office coop so that he can be with people during the day. Sometimes I talk to translators who are thinking about going out on their own and I always tell them not to underestimate how lonely a situation it usually is.

]]> By: kslossner http://thoughtsontranslation.com/2008/12/03/the-best-and-worst-of-working-from-home/#comment-818 kslossner Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:12:04 +0000 http://corinnemckay.wordpress.com/?p=380#comment-818 Re: Social isolation. I seldom found this a problem when I worked alone, because I worked less and used the flexibility to arrange times with friends. Now I am in a co-working environment, and while I find it even better - much more fun and professionally valuable for its collaborative opportunities - I find myself working much longer hours simply because my workaholic office mate does. Ultimately this makes me less productive. Re: The feeling of always being at work. A major issue, yes. That's why we built a separate, sound-isolated apartment in the house to use as offices. When work is over, the door get CLOSED. Really lovely. Something I would add the the "best" list is the sheer delight of being able to decide what one works on and with whom one works. Bad working relationships are rare, because one can weed out the difficult cases quickly with no consequences and cultivate the clients with whom one can have fun. Re: Social isolation.
I seldom found this a problem when I worked alone, because I worked less and used the flexibility to arrange times with friends. Now I am in a co-working environment, and while I find it even better – much more fun and professionally valuable for its collaborative opportunities – I find myself working much longer hours simply because my workaholic office mate does. Ultimately this makes me less productive.

Re: The feeling of always being at work.
A major issue, yes. That’s why we built a separate, sound-isolated apartment in the house to use as offices. When work is over, the door get CLOSED. Really lovely.

Something I would add the the “best” list is the sheer delight of being able to decide what one works on and with whom one works. Bad working relationships are rare, because one can weed out the difficult cases quickly with no consequences and cultivate the clients with whom one can have fun.

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