No wasted time: A case for work-life integration.
I would identify myself as a remote-worker who comes into the office part-time. I have a dedicated desk at my company’s regional office and one at home. I didn’t plan to become a remote-worker. I love the activity of the office and enjoy the small perks like catered lunches during the week and Beer Fridays. But, I have small kids and large piles of laundry at home. I can save two hours a day by cutting out the commute. Let’s also face it, chunky baby snuggles are so much better than free crappy coffee and gridlock traffic.
Although those toddler giggles coming from the other floor can be enticing, I still feel that I am just as productive of a worker as I have been when working in an office; somedays I feel that I am more productive.
No wasted time in traffic.
No wasted time waiting for the elevator.
No wasted time running out to grab lunch.
No wasted time gossiping with my cube-mate.
No wasted time physically running between meetings.
No wasted time for team members who are waiting for me to come back “on-line.”
No distractions from the sounds of the ping pong table around the corner.
No distractions from the holiday cubicle-decorating competitions.
No distractions from inconsiderate cube neighbors who talk loud or smell like last night’s rave.
I work with a global team in a lower-level leadership role. I live in Pittsburgh. My boss is in Seattle. My immediate team members spread from Prague to San Francisco. The teams that I work with every day span Bangalore to Palo Alto. I put my work email, Skype, and Slack on my personal phone (gasp!) and I make meetings for all hours of the day/night. I am accessible. I am productive. Am I a workaholic? No. I call it work-life integration.
Because during all of that, you know, life happens. My toddler picks up a cold from the playground. The pest-control company comes for their quarterly treatment. Groceries need bought. Piles of laundry… oh the piles of laundry…
It’s time that organizations start providing more options for flexible work scenarios for those who need it. We have all seen the numbers:
· Millennials prioritize a flexible schedule in their career needs.
· More families have both parents working.
· More women are balancing work with childcare.
· More fathers want to be more present for their children.
· More people aged 65 and older want to continue working with flexible schedules.
· More individuals with disabilities could more fully participate in the workforce.
I look around sometimes and I realize that even within my progressive company, my situation is extremely lucky. My kids are my world, but my career is also important. I have a supportive team that respects my work schedule (I take meetings on Mondays to Thursdays and am “on-call” on Fridays). I have the technological tools that allows me to stay engaged when it’s important. And, I have the drive to make it all work.
Unless I can get that free laundry service from my employer, I am a huge advocate of remote work, work-life integration, and flexible working schedules. It doesn’t work for everyone, but it works for me, my family, and my team.