Working from home, one year later

With many of us approaching the one-year mark of working from home, it turns out not everyone is ready to go back to the office. In an IBM study of 25,000 American workers, 40% said they "feel strongly" that employers should allow them to opt-in to work remotely once normal operations resume. And 75% said they'd like to continue working from home at least occasionally.

Those findings match a pre-pandemic study reported in Business Insider that found full-time remote workers were 22% happier than people who never worked from home. They cited better work-life balance, less stress and the ability to avoid nerve-racking commutes.

For many companies (PEMCO included), the shift to remote work has been so successful that they're extending work-from-home options beyond initial projections as they continue to protect workers' health.

So what do all those people who love working from home have in common? Here are five things that contribute to a successful work-from-home experience:

1.     A real workspace. When the pandemic started, a lot of us figured we'd be working from home for a few weeks, tops. That meant setting up a laptop on the kitchen table and maybe piling up some books to raise a second monitor to eye level. If you're still working in that temporary mode, it's time to stake claim to a spare bedroom or other semi-unused area with space for a real desk. If price is an obstacle, check Craigslist. As people have upgraded their home offices, the site has been flooded with older but perfectly usable desks, many priced at $100 or less. Make sure, too, that you have good lighting, an ergonomic chair and full-size keyboard.

2.     Physical separation. Pre-pandemic, open floor plans were a design must-have. Now, home buyers are rethinking the need for at least some separation from the kitchen (think noisy garbage disposal and clattering pans) and kids' play area. If your living area is just one cavernous space, a folding room divider can give you some visual privacy during the workday. If you're remodeling to carve out a home office, call us so we can make sure your insurance keeps pace.

3.     Upgraded technology. If you're struggling with a slow internet connection or patchwork of old equipment, ask your employer if they can help with an upgrade. A monitor or printer sitting unused in your locked office may be a significant step up! Also, don't let your guard slip when it comes to online security.

4.     Purposeful connections. Use your camera during meetings to foster a connection with co-workers. Also, ask to shadow meetings beyond your own team on Zoom. While you may not be a full participant, it's a great way to learn about other departments and potential opportunities.

5.     Equitable distribution of childcare and domestic chores. Families juggling childcare and homeschooling can find working from home disproportionately challenging. Studies show mothers report the highest levels of anxiety, perhaps because they more often try to take on parenting and work tasks simultaneously. 

Finally, if the pandemic has prompted you to start your own business, give yourself peace of mind by making sure your insurance is up to the job. Standard homeowners and renter policies limit coverage for business equipment and liability. Contact your local PEMCO agent or a PEMCO representative at 1-800-GO-PEMCO to learn more about coverage for home businesses.